chèque sans provision
A bounced check in French is chèque sans provision.
The phrase chèque sans provision is used to describe a check that cannot be processed because the account holder does not have enough money to cover the payment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "check without provision", where provision refers to the necessary funds in the account.
Which one should you use?
While chèque sans provision specifically focuses on the lack of funds, you may also encounter chèque impayé to mean an "unpaid check" or chèque rejeté to mean a "rejected check".
Did you know?
- While chèque sans provision is the standard term, the phrase faire un chèque en bois is a colorful idiom meaning to write a bad check.
- In France, issuing a chèque sans provision can lead to being placed on the Fichier Central des Chèques, a national blacklist that bans a person from writing checks for up to five years.
- The word chèque is actually a linguistic traveler that returned home to French. It was borrowed from the English word 'check' in the late 18th century and later integrated into the French language.
Examples in context
- Il a reçu un chèque sans provision.He received a bounced check.
- La banque a rejeté ce chèque sans provision.The bank rejected this bounced check.
Example conversation
Lucas is talking to Chloé about a payment problem.
- LucasChloé, ton chèque sans provision est revenu.Chloé, your bounced check came back.
- ChloéOh non, je suis vraiment désolée !Oh no, I am really sorry!
- LucasComment peux-tu régler ce problème ?How can you settle this problem?
- ChloéJe vais te payer en espèces demain.I will pay you in cash tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chèque, provision, sans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
