livres
The English phrase pounds is translated into French as livres.
In a context involving weight or mass, livres refers to pounds.
Which one should you use?
The word livres can mean both the unit of weight (pounds) and the unit of currency (pounds sterling).
Did you know?
- The symbol for the British pound sterling, '£', is actually a stylized letter 'L' standing for livre.
- If you are shopping in a French market and ask for a weight in livres, you might receive 500 grams rather than the 454 grams found in a British pound.
- French uses the word livre for currency because the old French 'livre tournois' was originally a silver coin weighing one pound.
Examples in context
- Je pèse 130 livres.I weigh 130 pounds.This sentence is useful for expressing how much one weighs using livres.Tatoeba #7414919 by lbdx, translation #2548829 by CK
- Elle pèse 120 livres.She weighs 120 pounds.This sentence is useful for expressing how much someone else weighs using livres.Tatoeba #134527 by nimfeo, translation #315645 by CK
- J'ai pris trois livres.I gained three pounds.This sentence is useful for expressing weight gain using livres.Tatoeba #6685858 by GB3, translation #4498786 by CK
- Combien coûte cette robe en livres sterling?How much does this dress cost in pounds?
- Je voudrais échanger des livres sterling contre des euros.I would like to exchange pounds for euros.
- Est-ce que vous acceptez les livres sterling?Do you accept pounds?
- Puis-je payer en livres sterling?Can I pay in pounds?
- Combien coûte ce produit en livres sterling?How much does this product cost in pounds?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are in a grocery store.
- LucasEst-ce que ce sac pèse deux livres ?Does this bag weigh two pounds?
- LéaNon, il pèse environ cinq livres.No, it weighs about five pounds.
- LucasC'est un peu lourd pour moi.It is a bit heavy for me.
- LéaLaisse-moi t'aider, Lucas.Let me help you, Lucas.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
