laisser un pourboire
To leave a tip in French is laisser un pourboire.
The phrase laisser un pourboire is used when discussing adding extra money to a bill. In France, it is important to note that service is often already included in the price through a charge called service compris.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb laisser (to leave) and the noun phrase un pourboire (a tip). The word pourboire literally translates to 'for drink', which refers to the historical custom of giving money to servants so they could buy a drink.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pourboire is a masculine noun, used here in the form un pourboire.
When do people say it?
In France, a tip of 5-10% is considered generous.
Did you know?
- If you leave an excessively large pourboire in France, you might unintentionally cause social awkwardness by appearing to flaunt your wealth, rather than simply being seen as generous.
- In many traditional French cafés, it is more common to laisser un pourboire by leaving a few small coins on the table than by calculating a specific percentage.
- While the English word 'slack' means loose, it shares a distant ancestor with the French verb laisser, both originating from roots meaning 'to loosen' or 'to let go'.
Examples in context
- Doit-on laisser un pourboire en France ?Do we have to leave a tip in France?This sentence is useful for asking if it is necessary to leave a tip in France using laisser un pourboire.Tatoeba #9860333 by carlosalberto, translation #9860305 by carlosalberto
- Je souhaite laisser un pourboire pour votre excellent service.I would like to leave a tip for your excellent service.
- Je souhaite donner un pourboire pour votre aide.I would like to give a tip for your help.
- Je vais lâcher un petit pourboire, merci beaucoup !I'm going to leave a small tip, thank you very much!
- Tu devrais filer un pourboire au serveur, le service était génial !You should leave a tip for the waiter, the service was fantastic!
- J'ai vraiment apprécié votre service !I really appreciated your service!
- Merci beaucoup pour votre amabilité !Thank you very much for your kindness!
- Vous avez été très professionnel !You have been very professional!
- Je vais laisser un pourboire au serveur.I am going to leave a tip for the waiter.
- Il est poli de laisser un pourboire ici.It is polite to leave a tip here.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are finishing a meal at a café.
- HugoOn doit laisser un pourboire ?Should we leave a tip?
- ManonOui, c'est mieux de laisser un pourboire.Yes, it is better to leave a tip.
- HugoD'accord, je vais le faire.Okay, I will do it.
- ManonMerci, Hugo.Thank you, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laisser, pourboire, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
