inflation
/ɛ̃.fla.sjɔ̃/feminine
The English word "inflation" translates to inflation in French.
inflation refers to the increase in the quantity of money, which leads to a devaluation of existing money and an increase in the general nominal level of prices or the cost of living.
Meaning: increase in the quantity of money, leading to a devaluation of existing money and increase in the general nominal level of prices or in the cost of living (noun)
Which one should you use?
While inflation is the standard term, you can use L'augmentation des prix or La hausse des prix in formal contexts to describe the increase or rise in prices. For an informal way to express the skyrocketing of prices, you can use La flambée des prix.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because inflation starts with a vowel, the feminine definite article la elides to l’ when placed before it, forming l'inflation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃.fla.sjɔ̃/ (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- In a historical context, the word enflaison was once a dialectal variation of inflation, which stems from the idea of a body swelling up.
- The French use the verb gonfler to describe 'inflating' a price or someone's ego. This mirrors the physical act of blowing air into a balloon.
- In French, the phrase le coût de la vie (the cost of life) is frequently used instead of inflation when talking about how daily expenses affect a person.
Examples in context
- L'inflation est en baisse.Inflation is down.This sentence demonstrates how to say that inflation is decreasing.Tatoeba #9416412 by Micsmithel, translation #65707 by CM
- L'inflation a été contrôlée.Inflation was controlled.This sentence shows how to state that inflation has been controlled.Tatoeba #10064486 by Micsmithel, translation #806888 by Source_VOA
- Ton salaire suit-il l'inflation ?Is your salary keeping up with inflation?This sentence is useful for asking if a salary is keeping up with inflation.Tatoeba #12020059 by lbdx, translation #70756 by CK
- L'inflation en France augmente chaque année.Inflation in France increases every year.
- La flambée des prix me fatigue !The skyrocketing of prices is exhausting!
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are discussing their monthly budget over coffee.
- ManonL'inflation rend tout plus cher, n'est-ce pas ?Inflation makes everything more expensive, doesn't it?
- GabrielOui, c'est vraiment difficile de gérer le budget.Yes, it is really hard to manage the budget.
- ManonOn doit faire attention à nos dépenses, Gabriel.We have to watch our spending, Gabriel.
- GabrielTu as raison, Manon.You are right, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inflation” translations and entries inflation, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inflation, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
