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Lesson 16 of 240

New here? This is lesson 16 of a free 240-lesson French course.

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How much is it in French

Sam is back at Café des Tilleuls, still learning the chalkboard. Odile names a price, and Gaspard nods as if it is obvious.

Sam nods too, then realises he has no idea what he agreed to.

By the end, you will ask how much something is, hear a price in euros, and say when it is too much.

Gaspard still has not finished his café crème.

By the end of this lesson

Ask the price and say a price in euros.

  • C'est combien ?How much is it?
  • Ça fait combien ?How much does that come to?
  • Deux euros cinquante.Two euros fifty.
  • C'est trop cher.That's too expensive.
  • Vous avez moins cher ?Do you have anything cheaper?
  • Je n'ai pas assez.I don't have enough.

Scene — the price on the board

Same café on rue des Tilleuls. Sam is at the zinc counter. Odile waits with the chalkboard.

The window table has its blank brass sign. Gaspard sits next to it on two chairs, café crème still full. He nods at a price as if Sam already knows it.

A wide morning café interior with Sam at the zinc, Odile beside a blank chalkboard, and Gaspard at the window table on two chairs with a full cup.

Learn — how much is it

Six short lines cover asking the price, hearing two euros fifty, and saying it is too much.

You will also ask for something cheaper, and say you do not have enough.

  1. A medium two-shot of Sam leaning on the zinc with one palm lifted, asking Odile how much it is.

    C'est combien ?

    How much is it?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want the price of one thing.

    Learn it as one piece at the counter.

    Say it: The e of ce drops in C'est.

  2. An over-the-shoulder view of Sam looking down at a cup and a plate, both hands open as if totaling them.

    Ça fait combien ?

    How much does that come to?

    When to use it: Ask this for a bill or a total at the counter.

    Learn it as one piece for the total.

  3. A low-angle view of Odile by a blank chalkboard, holding a small cup with calm certainty.

    Deux euros cinquante.

    Two euros fifty.

    When to use it: Say this when the price is two euros fifty.

    Learn it as one piece for this price.

    Say it: The x in deux links as z before euros.

  4. A close-up of Sam reacting with a wince, looking down toward the counter.

    C'est trop cher.

    That's too expensive.

    When to use it: Say this when the price is more than you want.

    Learn it as one piece when it costs too much.

    Say it: The p in trop is silent.

  5. A profile of Sam pointing at a plainer pastry on a lower shelf of a glass case.

    Vous avez moins cher ?

    Do you have anything cheaper?

    When to use it: Ask staff if they have a cheaper option.

    Learn it as one piece with shop staff.

    Say it: The s in vous links as z into avez.

  6. A high-angle view of Sam looking into an empty open wallet while Odile waits and Gaspard stays at the next table.

    Je n'ai pas assez.

    I don't have enough.

    When to use it: Say this when you cannot pay that price.

    Learn it as one piece when money is short.

    Say it: The e of ne drops in n'ai.

Story — he nods too soon

Watch Sam ask the price, then the total at the counter. He agrees too fast, then has to say it is too much.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. The chalkboard is behind Odile. Sam waits at the zinc counter.
  2. OdileBonjour.Hello.
  3. SamBonjour. C'est combien ?Hello. How much is it?
  4. OdileUn euro.One euro.
  5. Sam takes a coffee too. Odile adds both on the counter.
  6. SamÇa fait combien ?How much does that come to?
  7. OdileDeux euros cinquante.Two euros fifty.
  8. Gaspard nods from the next table. Sam nods too.
  9. GaspardDeux euros cinquante.Two euros fifty.
  10. Sam stops nodding. He has no idea what he agreed to.
  11. SamC'est trop cher. Vous avez moins cher ?That's too expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?
  12. OdileNon, désolée.No, sorry.
  13. Odile does not change the price. Gaspard stays at the next table, café crème still full.
  14. SamJe n'ai pas assez. Au revoir.I don't have enough. Goodbye.

Practice — euros and enough

Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    French

    C'est combien ?Drop the English here
    Ça fait combien ?Drop the English here
    Deux euros cinquante.Drop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its French, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You are at Odile's counter. You want the price of one thing on the chalkboard.

  4. Fill the gap

    How much does that come to?

    Ça ____ combien ?

  5. What does it mean?

    C'est trop cher.

  6. Build the line

    Do you have anything cheaper?

     ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Odile says:

    Deux euros cinquante.

    Two euros fifty. You have two euros.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    Odile has just named the total. Repeat two euros fifty.

    Deux euros ____.

  9. What do you say?

    You walk into Café des Tilleuls in the morning. Odile looks up and waits.

  10. Find the mistake

  11. What do you say?

    You cannot pay. You leave the counter in the daytime.

Say it — ask the price

Now you're Sam at Odile's counter, asking the price. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. OdileBonjour.Hello.
  2. Sam (you)Ask how much it is.

    C'est combien ?

    How much is it?

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

FrenchEnglish
C'est combien ?How much is it?
Ça fait combien ?How much does that come to?
Deux euros cinquante.Two euros fifty.
C'est trop cher.That's too expensive.
Vous avez moins cher ?Do you have anything cheaper?
Je n'ai pas assez.I don't have enough.
Next: lesson 17Bigger numbers

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your prices ready at the counter.

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