prime
/pʁim/
In French, the adjective 'premium' can be translated as prime.
The word prime is used to refer to a sum of money, such as a bonus for work or an amount paid for an insurance policy. When you want to describe something as 'premium' in terms of quality or status, you can use de qualité supérieure to mean 'of superior quality' or haut de gamme to mean 'top of range'.
Meaning: Translations (adj)
Which one should you use?
While prime can mean a monetary premium (like an insurance premium), if you are talking about a prize or an award, you should use the noun prix.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁim/
Did you know?
- To describe a 'premium' version of a digital service, French speakers often simply borrow the English word premium as a noun.
- In a professional context, a prime is often a performance bonus, but the word can also be used for a government subsidy given to citizens to encourage a specific behavior.
- The word prime shares the same Latin root, prīmus, as the English word 'prime', meaning 'first' or 'best'.
Examples in context
- Le bon travail sera récompensé par une jolie prime.Good work will be rewarded with a hefty premium.This sentence shows how prime can be used to mean a monetary reward for work.Tatoeba #10499445 by lbdx, translation #6907399 by swolesuki
- Cette voiture est vraiment haut de gamme.This car is truly premium.
- Nous offrons des produits de qualité supérieure.We offer premium products.
- Vous pouvez trouver une montre de luxe dans cette boutique.You can find a premium watch in this store.
- Cet établissement propose des chambres haut de gamme.This establishment offers premium rooms.
- Ce restaurant propose des plats haut de gamme.This restaurant offers premium dishes.
- Ces boutiques offrent des produits haut de gamme.These shops offer premium products.
- Cet hôtel propose un service de qualité supérieure et des chambres haut de gamme.This hotel offers a premium service and top-quality rooms.
- Il faut payer une prime pour ce service.You have to pay a premium for this service.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing their new insurance policy.
- NathanLa prime pour cette assurance est trop chère.The premium for this insurance is too expensive.
- LéaC'est vrai, mais elle est très complète.It's true, but it is very comprehensive.
- NathanOn devrait chercher une prime plus basse.We should look for a lower premium.
- LéaD'accord, je vais comparer les prix.Okay, I will compare the prices.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prime, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prime, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
