coûtecombien

Coûtecombien is a French expression that translates to "how much does it cost?" It is formed from the verb coûter (to cost) and the interrogative combien (how much). The phrase is typically written as two separate words, and is common in everyday speech as a direct way to inquire about price. Depending on context, it can appear in forms such as Combien coûte ce livre ? or Ça coûte combien ?.

Usage and nuances: Coûtecombien is mainly used in informal to neutral settings, including shops, markets, and online shopping. In more formal situations, speakers often replace it with questions like Quel est le prix ? or Quel est le tarif ? The construction can be adapted to refer to a specific item or to a general service, for example Combien coûte ce vélo ? or Combien coûte ce service ? The word order can vary between question forms such as coûte combien and combien coûte, with the latter being slightly more formal in some contexts.

Regional and register notes: The phrase is widely understood in French-speaking regions, including France and Quebec. In Quebec, alternative informal variants such as Ça coûte combien ? are very common. In all cases, the question centers on obtaining the monetary amount required to acquire something, including currencies and price formats typical in the given region.

See also: Quel est le prix ?, Le tarif, Combien coûte-t-il, Coût.

In summary, coûtecombien is a straightforward and versatile way to ask for price in everyday French, with formal alternatives available for official or written contexts.