What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of combien (how much), ça (that/it) and coûte (costs).
Which one should you use?
While combien ça coûte is a common way to ask for a price, you may see ça coûte combien? in colloquial speech, where combien is placed at the end of the sentence. You might also use C'est combien? as an informal way to ask for the price.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
combien ça coûte is a common and direct way to ask for a price in everyday spoken French, often considered informal. For more formal or professional contexts, you can use combien cela coûte by replacing ça with cela. If you wish to be very polite, you can use Pourriez-vous me dire le prix de…? (Could you tell me the price of…?), or use the formal Quel est le prix de…? (What is the price of…?).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase combien ça coûte, the word ça is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to an unspecified object or situation.
Did you know?
- To describe something ridiculously expensive, French speakers say ça coûte un bras, meaning 'it costs an arm'.
- The word combien is actually a contraction of two words: comme meaning 'as' and bien meaning 'well'. It literally translates to the sense of 'how well' something is measured.
- When asking for a discount in France, people use the phrase faire un prix, which literally translates to 'to make a price'.
Examples in context
- Combien coûte cette chemise?How much does this shirt cost?
- Combien coûte ce livre?How much does this book cost?
- Quel est le prix de ce sac à main?What is the price of this handbag?
- Quel est le prix de ces chaussures?What is the price of these shoes?
- Pourriez-vous me dire le prix de cette montre?Could you tell me the price of this watch?
- Pourriez-vous me dire le prix de ce collier?Could you tell me the price of this necklace?
- Ça coûte combien, cette bouteille de vin?How much does this bottle of wine cost?
- Ça coûte combien, cet ordinateur?How much does this computer cost?
- C'est combien, ce café?How much is this coffee?
- C'est combien, ce T-shirt?How much is this t-shirt?
- Cela coûte 10 euros.That costs 10 euros.
- Cela coûte 25 dollars.That costs 25 dollars.
- C'est trop cher pour moi.It's too expensive for me.
- Je ne peux pas l'acheter, c'est trop cher.I can't buy it, it's too expensive.
- Excusez-moi, combien ça coûte ?Excuse me, how much does this cost?
- Je me demande combien ça coûte, ce livre.I wonder how much this book costs.
- Est-ce que vous savez combien ça coûte ?Do you know how much it costs?
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a souvenir in a shop.
- LéaLucas, regarde ce beau vase !Lucas, look at this beautiful vase!
- LucasIl est joli, mais combien ça coûte ?It is pretty, but how much does it cost?
- LéaJe ne sais pas, je vais demander.I don't know, I'm going to ask.
- LucasD'accord, on verra bien.Okay, we will see.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry combien ça coûte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries combien, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
