échange

Échange is a noun used to denote the act of giving one thing and receiving another in return. It conveys reciprocity and covers both informal swapping and formal transactions across goods, services, and information. The concept appears in economics, commerce, social interaction, education, and technology, where it signifies mutually beneficial transfers between parties.

Originating from Old French eschange (eschaunge) and from Late Latin excambiare “to exchange,” the term derives from ex- “out” and cambiare “to change.” It entered standard usage in Middle French and has been common since the 14th century.

In economics and finance, échan ge refers to the act of trading or to mechanisms for exchanging currencies, assets, or value. In everyday language, it covers exchanges of information, ideas, gifts, or favors, and is central to programs such as student or professional exchanges (programme d’échange). In information technology, an information exchange denotes the transfer of data between systems or organizations. In education and diplomacy, exchanges promote mobility and contact between institutions and countries. In chess, l’échange denotes the trade of one piece for another, usually to simplify the position or gain a strategic advantage.

Related concepts include exchange rates, currency exchange, barter, and data exchange. The term is used across disciplines to emphasize reciprocity and mutual transfer.