toonie
The English phrase "toonie" can be translated into French as toonie.
In French-speaking Canada, the term toonie is used to refer to a Canadian two-dollar coin. It follows the same informal usage pattern as the English term.
Which one should you use?
While toonie is an informal way to name the coin, you may also use pièce de deux dollars for a more standard description.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
toonie is an informal term. For formal situations, you should use pièce de deux dollars. In very casual settings, you might hear the colloquial expression deux piasses used to refer to the same value.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the slang term piasse is used to mean a dollar and can be used to refer to a two-dollar coin.
Did you know?
- Even though 'toonie' is an English term, its pronunciation in French-speaking Canada often follows French phonetic patterns, making it sound distinct from the English version.
- In a formal setting like a bank, using the word toonie might strike a Canadian Francophone as an unnecessary English way to describe a standard pièce de deux dollars.
Examples in context
- J'ai un toonie dans ma poche.I have a toonie in my pocket.
- Est-ce que tu as un toonie pour le café ?Do you have a toonie for the coffee?
- Il me manque un toonie pour payer.I am missing a toonie to pay.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at a vending machine.
- ManonLucas, est-ce que tu as un toonie ?Lucas, do you have a toonie?
- LucasNon, je n'ai que des pièces de un dollar.No, I only have one dollar coins.
- ManonDommage, j'ai besoin d'un toonie pour cette machine.Too bad, I need a toonie for this machine.
- LucasAttends, je vais chercher un toonie dans la voiture.Wait, I will go look for a toonie in the car.
