A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How much" in French
Ask the price of an item in shops, markets, or restaurants with this essential French phrase.
Combien ça coûte ?
kohmb-YEN sah KOOtneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you want to know the price of something specific, like a souvenir in a boutique or a dish on a menu. It's the most direct way to inquire about cost.
Alternatives
- C'est combien ?Slightly more casual, often used when pointing at something.
- Quel est le prix ?A bit more formal, good for official settings or written signs.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 't' in 'coûte'
The final 't' in 'coûte' is silent, so it sounds like 'koo'.
Confusing 'combien' and 'comment'
'Combien' means 'how much/many', while 'comment' means 'how'.
A small cultural note
While 'Combien ça coûte ?' is standard, in very small, traditional markets, a simple 'Ça coûte combien ?' might feel a touch more natural.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
how to ask price in french
The most common way is 'Combien ça coûte ?' which means 'How much does it cost?'. You can also use 'C'est combien ?' for a slightly more casual feel.
combien vs combien de
'Combien' is used alone when asking 'how much' or 'how many' in general. Use 'combien de' followed by a noun when you want to specify what you're counting, like 'combien de livres?' (how many books?).
french phrase for price tag
There isn't a direct phrase for 'price tag' itself, but you'd use 'Combien ça coûte ?' to ask about the price shown on a tag.
