How to Ask for a Student or Senior Discount in French
Learn to ask 'Is there a student discount?' in French, name your status, and check age or card eligibility for price reductions.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In French shops, museums, cinemas and train stations, reduced prices are rarely offered automatically: you usually have to ask. This lesson gives you the exact questions for student and senior reductions, the vocabulary for proof of eligibility, and polite ways to ask before you pay. You will practise a short exchange you can reuse at any ticket counter or checkout.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a student or senior discount exists
- say that I am a student or a senior and show proof
- understand the answer about age limits, cards and reduced prices
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?
Is there a student discount?
ess keel ee ya un ta-REEF ay-tu-DYAN
The standard, neutral question. Use it before paying at a ticket office, museum or cinema. 'Tarif' means rate or price, not a percentage off.
Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif senior ?
Is there a senior discount?
ess keel ee ya un ta-REEF say-NYOR
Use for older-adult reductions. In France you may also hear 'tarif senior' or 'tarif troisième âge', though the latter sounds dated.
Je suis étudiant. / Je suis étudiante.
I am a student. (male speaker / female speaker)
zhuh swee zay-tu-DYAN / zhuh swee zay-tu-DYANT
The final consonant changes with the speaker's gender. Say this when the cashier asks for proof.
Voici ma carte d'étudiant.
Here is my student card.
vwah-SEE ma kart day-tu-DYAN
Hand over the card as you say it. In France the 'carte d'étudiant' is the usual proof; an international student card may also be accepted.
Le tarif réduit, c'est à partir de quel âge ?
The reduced rate starts at what age?
luh ta-REEF ray-DWEE, say ta par-TEER duh kel AZH
Use this to check the exact age limit for a senior reduction before you assume you qualify.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core question is 'Est-ce qu'il y a… ?' (Is there…?), followed by 'un tarif' plus the category: 'un tarif étudiant', 'un tarif senior', 'un tarif enfant'. To ask about a specific price, add 'réduit': 'Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif réduit pour les étudiants ?' You can also ask 'Vous faites un tarif étudiant ?' (Do you offer a student rate?), which is common in casual shops.
When to use it
Ask before the cashier totals your purchase, for example: 'Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?' If the answer is yes, you may hear 'Oui, sur présentation de la carte' (Yes, on presentation of the card). If it is no, you may hear 'Non, désolé, il n'y a pas de tarif réduit.' For seniors, age limits vary: museums often start at 60 or 65, so ask 'à partir de quel âge ?' rather than assuming.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?
Hello, is there a student discount?bon-ZHOOR, ess keel ee ya un ta-REEF ay-tu-DYANOui, sur présentation de la carte d'étudiant.
Yes, on presentation of the student card.wee, sewr pray-zahn-ta-SYON duh la kart day-tu-DYANVoici ma carte d'étudiant. C'est combien ?
Here is my student card. How much is it?vwah-SEE ma kart day-tu-DYAN. say kom-BYANC'est huit euros au lieu de douze.
It is eight euros instead of twelve.say weet uh-ROH oh lyuh duh doozA little context goes a long way
In France, reduced rates are usually tied to a card or proof of age, and staff may ask for it even if you look young or old enough. A polite 'Bonjour' before your question matters more than perfect grammar. In Quebec, 'tarif étudiant' is understood, but you may also hear 'rabais étudiant' for a discount; 'rabais' is common in Canadian French for a price reduction.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'J'ai un étudiant' to mean 'I am a student'.
Try this instead: Use 'Je suis étudiant' or 'Je suis étudiante'. 'J'ai un étudiant' means 'I have a student' (for example, a teacher with a pupil). To mention your card, say 'J'ai une carte d'étudiant.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a student discount?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?
This uses the fixed question 'Est-ce qu'il y a… ?' plus 'un tarif étudiant'. 'Vous faites un tarif étudiant ?' is also acceptable in a shop.
2A museum says the senior rate starts at 65. How do you ask that in French?
Show a sample answer
Le tarif senior, c'est à partir de quel âge ?
This asks for the starting age. You could also ask 'À partir de quel âge le tarif senior ?' The meaning is the same.
3You are a female student and the cashier asks for proof. What do you say while handing over your card?
Show a sample answer
Je suis étudiante. Voici ma carte d'étudiant.
The feminine form 'étudiante' matches a female speaker, and 'Voici ma carte d'étudiant' presents the card. A male speaker would say 'Je suis étudiant.'
Ask 'Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?' or 'un tarif senior ?' before paying, then be ready to say 'Je suis étudiant(e)' and show your card or ID.
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