en solde
The English phrase 'on sale' is translated into French as en solde.
The phrase en solde is used when an item is offered for purchase at a reduced price.
Which one should you use?
While en solde refers specifically to seasonal clearance sales used to liquidate stock, en promotion is the term used for temporary special offers or discounts on specific items.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to the official seasonal sale periods in France, you should use the plural form les soldes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using à vendre to mean 'on sale' in the sense of being discounted. While English speakers sometimes use 'on sale' to mean a discount, in French, à vendre means 'for sale' (available to be bought), whereas en solde means the item is being sold at a reduced price.
Did you know?
- In France, the timing of les soldes is not decided by shopkeepers, but is strictly regulated by the government.
- The word solde has its roots in the Latin word 'solidus', which originally referred to a solid gold coin used to pay soldiers.
- In accounting and banking, solde is the standard term for the 'balance' of an account.
Examples in context
- Ce n'était pas en solde.It wasn't on sale.This sentence is useful for noting that an item was not discounted using en solde.Tatoeba #10498765 by lbdx, translation #2648488 by CK
- Est-ce que c'est en solde ?Is this on sale?This sentence is useful for asking if an item is discounted using en solde.Tatoeba #11562645 by lbdx, translation #9823461 by DJ_Saidez
- J'ai acheté ce T-shirt en solde.I bought this T-shirt on sale.This sentence is useful for describing a purchase made while an item was discounted using en solde.Tatoeba #10923882 by lbdx, translation #61378 by CK
- Les articles sont en promotion cette semaineThe items are on sale this week
- Les produits sont en soldeThe products are on sale
- Les prix sont en réductionThe prices are on sale/reduced
- Le téléphone est en promoThe phone is on sale
- Les chaussures sont en soldesThe shoes are on sale
- Le magasin fait une grosse réducThe store has a big sale/reduction
- Nous offrons des produits en promotion ce mois-ci!We have products on sale this month!
- Cette robe est à moitié prix en solde!This dress is half price on sale!
- Le supermarché fait des réductions sur les fruits et légumes.The supermarket has discounts on fruits and vegetables.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are walking through a shopping mall.
- NathanRegarde, Chloé, ce manteau est en solde !Look, Chloé, this coat is on sale!
- ChloéAh oui, il est très joli.Ah yes, it is very pretty.
- NathanTu en penses quoi ?What do you think of it?
- ChloéIl est parfait pour toi.It is perfect for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, solde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
