A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Is this on sale" in French
Ask if an item is on sale in French shops. Perfect for finding deals and discounts.
Est-ce que c'est en promotion ?
ess kuh say ahn proh-moh-SYOHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you see something you like in a store and want to know if it's currently discounted. It's a polite way to inquire about potential savings.
Alternatives
- C'est en promo ?More casual, good for when the salesperson seems friendly.
- Est-ce en solde ?Specifically asks if it's part of a general sale period (like end-of-season).
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'est-ce'
The 't' in 'est' is not pronounced; it's 'ess', not 'est'.
Forgetting 'en'
You need 'en' to mean 'in' or 'on' a state, so 'en promotion' means 'on sale'.
Silent 's' in 'est'
The 's' in 'est' is silent, so it sounds like 'eh', not 'ess'.
A small cultural note
France has official 'soldes' (sales) twice a year, but individual stores often have 'promotions' at other times. Asking 'en promotion' is more general.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
how to ask if something is on sale in french
You can ask 'Est-ce que c'est en promotion ?' to inquire about a discount. This is a standard and polite way to ask.
difference between promotion and solde
'Promotion' refers to a specific item or short-term deal, while 'soldes' are official, seasonal sale periods.
what to say if something is not on sale
If it's not on sale, the salesperson might just say 'Non, désolé' (No, sorry) or 'Pas en ce moment' (Not at the moment).
