Laying out essential French vocabulary for paying and discussing prices, including money, transactions, and common expressions.
Understanding how to talk about paying and prices is essential for shopping, dining, and everyday transactions. This vocabulary covers key terms for money, payment methods, asking for prices, and handling common situations.
Money
Start with the basics: the words for money and coins used in France. This will help you identify and count what you need to pay.
| French (Sing./Pl.) | English (Sing./Pl.) | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| l’argent (m.) | money | J’ai besoin d’argent. | I need money. |
| la pièce / les pièces | coin / coins | J’ai une pièce de deux euros. | I have a two-euro coin. |
| le billet / les billets | bill / bills | Voici un billet de 20 euros. | Here is a 20-euro bill. |
| la monnaie | change | Je n’ai pas de monnaie. | I don’t have any change. |
| le portefeuille | wallet | Mon portefeuille est vide. | My wallet is empty. |
| le purse (le porte-monnaie) | purse | Elle a un petit porte-monnaie. | She has a small purse. |
| la caisse | cash register | La caisse est ouverte. | The cash register is open. |
| le compte | account | J’ai un compte bancaire. | I have a bank account. |
| le chèque | check | Je paie par chèque. | I’m paying by check. |
| la carte bancaire | bank card | Je paie avec ma carte bancaire. | I’m paying with my bank card. |
Paying
These verbs and phrases help you explain how you’re paying and respond to payment requests.
| French Phrase | English Phrase | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| payer | to pay | Je vais payer en espèces. | I will pay in cash. |
| régler | to settle / pay | Je règle la note. | I’m settling the bill. |
| coûter | to cost | Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? |
| donner | to give | Je donne dix euros. | I’m giving ten euros. |
| prendre | to take | Le magasin prend les cartes. | The store takes cards. |
| recevoir | to receive | J’ai reçu la monnaie. | I received the change. |
| chercher | to get / pick up | Je vais chercher mon reçu. | I’m going to get my receipt. |
| demander | to ask for | Je demande un ticket. | I’m asking for a receipt. |
| offrir | to offer / pay for | Je t’offre un café. | I’ll buy you a coffee. |
| rendre | to give back / return | Le caissier rend la monnaie. | The cashier gives back the change. |
Prices
These words and expressions will help you understand and discuss prices, discounts, and budgets.
| French Term | English Term | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le prix | price | Quel est le prix ? | What is the price? |
| cher / chère | expensive | Ce sac est cher. | This bag is expensive. |
| bon marché | cheap / good value | Ce livre est bon marché. | This book is cheap. |
| la réduction | discount | Il y a une réduction aujourd’hui. | There’s a discount today. |
| la promotion | sale / promotion | Cette robe est en promotion. | This dress is on sale. |
| le prix total | total price | Quel est le prix total ? | What is the total price? |
| le prix unitaire | unit price | Le prix unitaire est élevé. | The unit price is high. |
| le montant | amount | Le montant à payer est de 30 euros. | The amount to pay is 30 euros. |
| le prix fixe | fixed price | C’est un prix fixe. | It’s a fixed price. |
| la hausse / la baisse | increase / decrease | Il y a une hausse des prix. | There is a price increase. |
Este libro es ___.
What does 'bon marché' mean?
cheap/good value
'Bon marché' means 'cheap' or 'good value'.
Il y a une ___ aujourd’hui.
How do you say 'discount' in French?
réduction
'Réduction' means 'discount'. 'Promotion' means 'sale/promotion', and 'hausse' means 'increase'.
Common Expressions
These ready-made phrases are useful for everyday shopping and paying situations.
| French Expression | English Expression | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? | Combien ça coûte, ce manteau ? | How much does this coat cost? |
| C’est combien ? | How much is it? | C’est combien, les pommes ? | How much are the apples? |
| Je paie en espèces. | I’m paying in cash. | Je paie en espèces, s’il vous plaît. | I’m paying in cash, please. |
| Je paie par carte. | I’m paying by card. | Je paie par carte bancaire. | I’m paying by bank card. |
| Avez-vous de la monnaie ? | Do you have change? | Avez-vous de la monnaie pour 10 euros ? | Do you have change for 10 euros? |
| Gardez la monnaie. | Keep the change. | Gardez la monnaie, merci ! | Keep the change, thanks! |
| Je voudrais un reçu. | I would like a receipt. | Je voudrais un reçu, s’il vous plaît. | I would like a receipt, please. |
| C’est trop cher ! | That’s too expensive! | Ce téléphone est trop cher ! | This phone is too expensive! |
| Il y a une promotion. | There’s a sale. | Il y a une promotion sur les chaussures. | There’s a sale on shoes. |
| Est-ce que vous pouvez baisser le prix ? | Can you lower the price? | Est-ce que vous pouvez baisser le prix ? | Can you lower the price? |
Understanding this core vocabulary and these common expressions will help you handle payments and price discussions confidently in French.
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- English (Sing./Pl.): money
- English Example: I need money.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
