argent liquide
The English phrase 'cash money' translates to French as argent liquide.
Argent liquide is used to refer to money in the form of physical coins and banknotes. If you want to specify that you are paying 'in cash', you should use the prepositional phrase en espèces.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase argent liquide literally translates to 'liquid money'.
Which one should you use?
While argent liquide is the standard term, you will hear different versions depending on the setting. For example, du liquide is a shortened version used in casual conversation, while pognon and fric are slang terms for cash or money.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Argent liquide is a common and standard term suitable for formal situations. In much more casual or slang-heavy settings, you might hear pognon or fric. In everyday informal conversation, speakers often shorten the phrase to du liquide.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the phrase 'argent cash'. Instead, use argent liquide or espèces to refer to cash.
Did you know?
- The word argent serves as both the word for 'money' and the word for the chemical element 'silver'.
- In French, you can describe someone as avoir les poches percées (to have pierced pockets) if they spend their argent liquide too quickly.
- In French slang, the term fric for money is thought to have originated from a word meaning 'friction' or 'rubbing' in the 19th century.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'argent liquide pour régler la facture.I need cash money to pay the bill.
- T'as du pognon sur toi ?Do you have any cash money on you?
- Je vais retirer du fric au distributeur.I'm going to withdraw some cash at the ATM.
- Je n'ai pas d'argent liquide sur moi.I don't have any cash on me.
- Est-ce que vous acceptez l'argent liquide ?Do you accept cash?
- Il est préférable d'avoir de l'argent liquide pour ce marché.It is better to have cash for this market.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are at a small bakery.
- NathanEst-ce que je peux payer par carte ?Can I pay by card?
- ChloéDésolée, nous ne prenons que l'argent liquide.Sorry, we only take cash.
- NathanAh, j'ai un peu d'argent liquide dans mon portefeuille.Ah, I have a little bit of cash in my wallet.
- ChloéParfait, merci beaucoup.Perfect, thank you very much.
