débit
/de.bi/
The French word for debit is débit.
débit refers to a sum of money taken out of a bank account. When discussing debit cards, you can use the phrase carte de débit or carte bancaire. To mention a debit transaction, you can say une opération de débit.
Meaning: sum of money taken out of a bank account (noun)
Which one should you use?
In a banking context, débit is used in direct opposition to crédit.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /de.bi/.
Did you know?
- While in English 'debit' is a noun, the French word débit can also describe the flow or rate of a liquid, such as the 'débit d'un fleuve' (the flow of a river).
- In a French restaurant, you might encounter the word débit in the term débit de tabac, which refers to a licensed shop that sells tobacco.
- Internet speeds are measured in débit, specifically débit descendant for download and débit montant for upload. This describes the 'flow' of data.
Examples in context
- J'ai oublié ma carte de débit chez moi.I forgot my debit card at home.This sentence shows how to use débit in the context of a forgotten card.Tatoeba #7124882 by Aiji, translation #4823870 by orcrist
- Nous acceptons toutes les principales cartes de crédit et de débit.We accept all major credit and debit cards.This sentence shows how to use débit when discussing accepted card types.Tatoeba #4545356 by sacredceltic, translation #4538063 by Hybrid
- une carte de débita debit cardThis sentence provides a simple phrase for a debit card using débit.
- La banque va débiter mon compte automatiquement.The bank will automatically debit my account.
- J'ai oublié de payer ma facture, alors ils ont fait un prélèvement automatique.I forgot to pay my bill, so they made a direct debit.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are checking their online bank statements.
- HugoC'est quoi ce débit sur mon compte ?What is this debit on my account?
- ChloéC'est sans doute ton abonnement mensuel, Hugo.It's probably your monthly subscription, Hugo.
- HugoLe montant du débit est trop élevé.The debit amount is too high.
- ChloéTu devrais appeler ta banque pour vérifier.You should call your bank to check.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry débit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
