quelque chose est gratuit
In French, 'something is free' is said as quelque chose est gratuit.
The phrase is used to indicate that an item or service costs no money. While the phrase describes a state, you can also use the adverb Gratuitement to describe an action being performed without payment.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between different types of 'free'. Use gratuit for things that cost no money. Do not use the word libre to mean free of charge. libre is used to describe someone being free from constraint or having free time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec French, the expression gratis is used to mean 'free'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective gratuit must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For example, if the 'something' being referred to is a feminine noun, you should use the feminine form gratuite.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use libre when they actually mean that something is cost-free. Use gratuit or its forms to avoid this error.
Did you know?
- The word gratuit can also be used to describe an insult or a comment that is 'uncalled for' or unjustified.
- The adjective gratuit is actually a linguistic cousin to the English word 'gratitude'. Both stem from the Latin root for 'pleasing' or 'favor'.
- The noun chose shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cause'. Both words trace back to the Latin 'causa', though they evolved into very different meanings in English and French.
Examples in context
- Ce service est gratuit.This service is free.
- Vous pouvez utiliser cette application gratuitement.You can use this application for free.
- L'entrée est sans frais.The entry is free.
- C'est gratos pour tout le monde.It's free for everyone.
- L'événement est gratuit pour les participants.The event is free for the participants.
- Ce café est offert gratuitement.This coffee is offered for free.
- Nous proposons un mois d'essai sans frais.We offer a free month trial.
- Mon ami m'a donné ces tickets gratos.My friend gave me these free tickets.
- C'est gratuit.It is free.
- Quand quelque chose est gratuit, tout le monde le veut.When something is free, everyone wants it.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a menu at a cafe.
- LéaRegarde, quelque chose est gratuit avec le menu !Look, something is free with the set menu!
- LucasAh oui, on peut choisir un dessert.Oh yes, we can choose a dessert.
- LéaC'est génial pour nous, Lucas.That's great for us, Lucas.
- LucasJe vais prendre le gâteau au chocolat.I will have the chocolate cake.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chose, est, gratuit, quelque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
