au kilo
The French phrase for "per kilo" is au kilo.
The phrase au kilo is used to describe the price of an item based on its weight for every one kilogram.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of au (at the) and kilo (kilo), literally meaning at the kilo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase au kilo is used as an adverbial phrase to indicate the unit of measurement for a price.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase au kilo is often used metaphorically to describe something produced in large quantities without care for quality, such as écrire au kilo meaning 'to write for quantity rather than quality'.
- In French-speaking markets, if you ask for 'une livre' of something, you are not asking for a British or American pound, but for exactly 500 grams.
- The word kilo is so ubiquitous in French commerce that using the full word kilogramme can actually make you sound unnaturally formal or stiff in a casual market setting.
Examples in context
- Je l'ai acheté à 10 euros au kilo.I bought it for 10 euros per kilo.
- Les fruits sont vendus à 2 euros au kilogramme.The fruits are sold for 2 euros per kilo.
- Ce boucher vend sa viande au poids.This butcher sells his meat by weight.
- Les pommes sont à deux euros au kilo.The apples are two euros per kilo.
- Les pommes coûtent deux euros au kilo.Apples cost two euros per kilo.
- Je voudrais des tomates à trois euros au kilo.I would like tomatoes at three euros per kilo.
- Quel est le prix de ce fromage au kilo ?What is the price of this cheese per kilo?
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are at a local market.
- EmmaGabriel, tu sais combien coûtent les fraises au kilo ?Gabriel, do you know how much the strawberries cost per kilo?
- GabrielJe crois que c'est cinq euros au kilo.I think it's five euros per kilo.
- EmmaC'est un peu cher pour moi.That is a bit expensive for me.
- GabrielC'est vrai, mais elles sont très fraîches.That's true, but they are very fresh.
