billet retour
In French, "return ticket" is said as billet retour.
The phrase refers to a ticket that grants permission to travel to a destination and back again.
Meaning: a ticket granting permission to travel to a place and back again (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of billet (ticket) and retour (return).
Which one should you use?
While billet retour is used, the standard term for a round-trip ticket is un billet aller-retour, which literally translates to "a go-return ticket". To specify a one-way ticket, use un aller simple instead of billet retour. Additionally, aller-retour can be used on its own to mean "round trip" when referring to a return ticket.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the concept of a round-trip ticket, the standard construction is un billet aller-retour.
Did you know?
- The word billet shares a common ancestor with the English word 'bullet', as both stems from the Latin bulla, meaning a seal or a small object.
- While billet means ticket, the French use ticket only for small receipts or short-distance transit slips, such as those used for the Metro or a parking lot.
- The word billet can unexpectedly refer to a 'love letter' when used in the expression billet doux, which literally translates to 'sweet note'.
Examples in context
- J'aimerais acheter un billet de retour pour Paris.I would like to buy a return ticket to Paris.
- Je voudrais réserver un aller-retour pour Lyon.I would like to reserve a round trip to Lyon.
- Je dois acheter mon billet retour pour Bordeaux.I must buy my return ticket for Bordeaux.
- Je voudrais un billet aller-retour pour Paris, s'il vous plaît.I would like a round-trip ticket to Paris, please.
- Je voudrais un billet retour pour Lyon, s'il vous plaît.I would like a return ticket to Lyon, please.
- Est-ce que le billet retour est plus cher ?Is the return ticket more expensive?
- Il a acheté un billet retour pour Paris.He bought a return ticket to Paris.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are at a train station ticket counter.
- HugoBonjour, je veux un billet retour pour Lyon.Hello, I want a return ticket to Lyon.
- EmmaD'accord, pour quelle date voulez-vous revenir ?Alright, for what date do you want to return?
- HugoJe reviens dimanche prochain, s'il vous plaît.I am coming back next Sunday, please.
- EmmaVoici votre billet retour, monsieur.Here is your return ticket, sir.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries billet, retour, CC BY-SA 4.0.
