A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Keep the change" in French
The French phrase for 'keep the change' when paying a bill, especially for a service.
Gardez la monnaie.
gar-DAY lah mon-NAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when paying for a service like a taxi, a waiter, or a delivery person, and you don't want any change back. It's a polite way to show appreciation for good service.
Alternatives
- C'est pour vous.Slightly more informal, implying the change is a tip for them.
- Laissez la monnaie.A direct translation, but 'gardez' is more common in everyday speech.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'gardez'
The 'r' sound is guttural, not rolled like in English. The 'ez' sounds like 'ay'.
Silent 'e'
The final 'e' in 'monnaie' is silent; pronounce it like 'mon-nay'.
A small cultural note
While tipping isn't as expected as in the US, leaving a small amount of change for good service is appreciated. This phrase is a clear way to indicate you're doing so.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How much change should I leave in France?
There's no set amount, but for good service, rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is common. It's more about appreciation than obligation.
Do I say this to a shopkeeper?
Generally, no. This phrase is more for services where you're paying a specific person directly, like a waiter or taxi driver.
Is 'Gardez la monnaie' polite?
Yes, it's a perfectly polite and standard way to tell someone to keep the change. It's understood as a gesture of goodwill.
