Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| devis | /də.vi/ | masculine |
| cotation | /kɔ.ta.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
The term refers to the act of naming a price or the price that has been quoted.
Which one should you use?
Use devis when referring to a specific document or estimate provided by a contractor or service provider for a particular job. In contrast, use cotation when referring to a market quote or the act of listing a stock or commodity on an exchange.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word devis is invariable in its spelling. It remains the same whether it is in the singular or the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/də.vi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using citation to refer to a price quotation. In French, citation refers only to a quote from a book or a person.
When do people say it?
In French, it is common to use guillemets () instead of the standard English quotation marks (“ ”) to encapsulate a quotation.
Did you know?
- In French law, a devis can become a legally binding contract if both parties sign it. Once signed, the contractor cannot change the price, and the client is obligated to pay it.
- The word devis comes from the old French verb deviser, which originally meant to discuss, chat, or even plot something. While today it is a strictly professional term for a price estimate, its roots are much more conversational.
- The word cotation is used not only for stock market prices but also in technical drawing to describe the act of adding dimensions to a blueprint.
Examples in context
- Nous avons besoin d'un devis ferme pour lundi.We need a firm quotation by Monday.This sentence shows how to request a firm version of the devis form.Tatoeba #1066521 by sacredceltic, translation #238860 by CK
- Vous pouvez me faire un devis ?Can you give me a quotation?This sentence is a way to ask for a devis form.Tatoeba #14010847 by menaud, translation #14010894 by menaud
- Pourriez-vous me faire un devis ?Could you give me a quotation?This sentence uses a polite way to ask for a devis form.Tatoeba #14010841 by menaud, translation #14010895 by menaud
- La vie est belleLife is beautiful
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a home renovation project.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as reçu le devis ?Did you receive the quotation?
- EmmaOui, le devis est arrivé ce matin.Yes, the quotation arrived this morning.
- HugoLe montant du devis est raisonnable ?Is the amount of the quotation reasonable?
- EmmaOui, c'est un bon devis.Yes, it is a good quotation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quotation” translations and entries devis, cotation, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cotation, devis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
