pièce de monnaie
/pjɛs də mɔ.nɛ/feminine
The English phrase "coin" is translated into French as pièce de monnaie. If unsure, use pièce de monnaie. Wiktionary also lists jeton.
Meaning: (currency) a piece of currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pièce de monnaie | /pjɛs də mɔ.nɛ/ | feminine |
| jeton | /ʒə.tɔ̃/ | Africa, masculine |
A coin refers to a piece of currency. To name a specific coin, such as a 1 euro coin, you say une pièce d'un euro or for a 50 centimes coin, you say une pièce de cinquante centimes. While pièce de monnaie is the full term, people often use the shortened form pièce in everyday spoken French when the context of money is already clear.
Which one should you use?
The term pièce de monnaie is the standard way to refer to a coin. In some parts of Africa, the masculine noun jeton is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word jeton is used in Africa.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Pièce de monnaie is a feminine noun. Jeton is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pjɛs də mɔ.nɛ/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of monnaie, monēta, is actually linked to the goddess Juno Moneta, who was the protector of the Roman mint.
- While pièce means 'coin' in this context, it is the same word used for a 'room' in a house or a 'play' in a theater.
- If a French speaker says they have 'no monnaie', they might mean they have no coins specifically, even if they have a wallet full of bills.
Examples in context
- J'ai ramassé une pièce de monnaie.I picked up a coin.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase with pièce de monnaie.Tatoeba #2637945 by Amastan, translation #4539154 by mailohilohi
- Les garçons ont trouvé une pièce de monnaie.The boys have found a coin.Tatoeba #12457984 by lbdx, translation #1174858 by CM
- J'ai trouvé une pièce de monnaie sur le trottoir.I found a coin on the sidewalk.Tatoeba #135021 by bogantsev, translation #320522 by CK
- Je préfère payer en pièces de monnaieI prefer to pay in coins
- T'aurais pas deux pièces pour la machine à café ?Do you have two coins for the coffee machine?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are checking their pockets for change at a vending machine.
- ManonAs-tu une pièce de monnaie pour le café ?Do you have a coin for the coffee?
- HugoNon, je n'ai qu'un billet.No, I only have a banknote.
- ManonOh, mince, je n'ai pas de pièce de monnaie non plus.Oh, shoot, I don't have a coin either.
- HugoOn peut payer par carte, Manon.We can pay by card, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coin” translations and entries pièce de monnaie, jeton, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, jeton, monnaie, pièce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
