cher
/ʃɛʁ/
The English word expensive is translated into French as cher. Wiktionary also lists coûteux.
Meaning: having a high price or cost (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| cher | /ʃɛʁ/ |
| coûteux | /ku.tø/ |
Both cher and coûteux are used to describe something that has a high price or cost. While cher is the standard term for a high price tag, it can also mean 'dear' when referring to a beloved person.
Which one should you use?
cher is the common word for something with a high price or for someone who is 'dear' to you. In contrast, coûteux is more formal and is often used to describe things involving heavy expenditure or a high cost, such as a 'costly mistake' or a 'costly process'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cher must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It becomes chère in the feminine singular, chers in the masculine plural and chères in the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɛʁ/
Did you know?
- French speakers use the expression coûter les yeux de la tête to describe something incredibly expensive.
- Because cher comes from a root meaning 'to desire', the word historically links the concept of high value to the act of wanting something.
- In some contexts, cher is used ironically to describe someone who thinks too highly of themselves or their status.
Examples in context
- Ça a l'air cher.That looks expensive.This sentence shows how to say that something appears to be expensive using cher.Tatoeba #5619277 by Aiji, translation #2250124 by CK
- C'est trop cher !It's too expensive!This sentence expresses that something is too expensive using cher.Tatoeba #3539 by zmoo, translation #1719 by Swift
- C'est très cher !That is very expensive!This sentence emphasizes that something is very expensive using cher.Tatoeba #859133 by sacredceltic, translation #854459 by piksea
- Ce bijou est cherThis piece of jewelry is expensive
- Les vols vers cette destination sont coûteuxThe flights to this destination are expensive
- La réparation de la voiture était onéreuseThe car repair was expensive
- Je trouve ces chaussures chèresI find these shoes expensive
- Cette soirée en boîte était vraiment coûteuseThat night out at the club was really expensive
- Oui, il est très cher, je ne suis pas sûr de pouvoir me le permettre.Yes, it's very expensive, I'm not sure if I can afford it.
- 307 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- HugoCe plat est vraiment cher.This dish is really expensive.
- ManonOui, mais c'est délicieux.Yes, but it is delicious.
- HugoTu veux commander autre chose ?Do you want to order something else?
- ManonNon, je prends une salade moins chère.No, I'll have a cheaper salad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expensive” translations and entries cher, coûteux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cher, coûteux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
