How to Ask 'How Much to Ship This?' in French: Weight-Based Pricing
Learn to ask shipping costs in French, specify weight, and understand weight-based pricing with practical phrases and a dialogue.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you need to send a package in a French-speaking country, knowing how to ask about shipping costs is essential. This lesson teaches you to say 'How much to ship this?' using the verb expédier, ask about weight-based pricing, and understand responses. You'll learn standard French phrases for post offices and couriers, with notes on regional variations. By the end, you can confidently inquire about shipping fees and clarify how weight affects the price.
By the end, you can…
- ask how much it costs to ship a package in French.
- ask if the price depends on weight and provide the weight.
- understand a response about shipping costs and weight limits.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Combien ça coûte pour expédier ce colis ?
How much does it cost to ship this package?
kohn-BYEN sah KOOT poor ek-speh-DYAY suh koh-LEE
Standard polite way to ask the cost of shipping a specific package. Use in post offices or courier services.
C'est combien pour envoyer ce paquet ?
How much is it to send this parcel?
say kohn-BYEN poor ahn-vwah-YAY suh pah-KAY
Slightly more informal; envoyer is common in everyday speech. Works in most francophone regions.
Le prix dépend du poids ?
Does the price depend on the weight?
luh pree day-PAHN dew pwah
Ask this to confirm if pricing is weight-based. Useful when you're unsure about the pricing structure.
Il pèse environ deux kilos.
It weighs about two kilos.
eel pehz ahn-vee-ROHN duh kee-LOH
State the weight of your package. Replace 'deux' with the actual number. In Canada, you might hear 'livres' for pounds.
Est-ce que c'est moins cher si c'est plus léger ?
Is it cheaper if it's lighter?
ess-kuh say mwan shair see say plew lay-ZHAY
Ask about cost reduction for lighter packages. Useful for understanding weight tiers.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask 'How much to ship this?', use 'Combien ça coûte pour expédier ce colis ?' or 'C'est combien pour envoyer ce paquet ?'. The verb expédier is formal and common in postal contexts, while envoyer is more general. For weight-based pricing, ask 'Le prix dépend du poids ?' and provide the weight with 'Il pèse...' followed by the number and 'kilos'. For example: 'Il pèse trois kilos.' You can also ask about price differences: 'C'est moins cher si c'est plus léger ?'
When to use it
Use these phrases at post offices (La Poste in France, Postes Canada in Quebec) or courier services. In formal settings, prefer 'expédier' and 'colis'; in casual conversation, 'envoyer' and 'paquet' are fine. In Quebec, you might hear 'livres' instead of 'kilos' for weight, and 'coûter' may be pronounced differently. Always specify the weight if asked; otherwise, the clerk may estimate. For international shipping, add the destination: 'pour les États-Unis' (to the United States).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je voudrais expédier ce colis. Combien ça coûte ?
Hello, I would like to ship this package. How much does it cost?bohn-ZHOOR, zhuh voo-DREH ek-speh-DYAY suh koh-LEE. kohn-BYEN sah KOOT?Ça dépend du poids. Il pèse combien ?
It depends on the weight. How much does it weigh?sah day-PAHN dew pwah. eel pehz kohn-BYEN?Il pèse environ deux kilos.
It weighs about two kilos.eel pehz ahn-vee-ROHN duh kee-LOH.Pour deux kilos, c'est 15 euros. C'est moins cher si c'est plus léger.
For two kilos, it's 15 euros. It's cheaper if it's lighter.poor duh kee-LOH, say kenz uh-ROH. say mwan shair see say plew lay-ZHAY.A little context goes a long way
In France, La Poste uses a weight-based pricing system called 'tarification au poids'. In Quebec, Canada Post also uses weight but may quote in pounds. Always ask for the price for your specific weight and destination. Politeness is key: start with 'Bonjour' and use 's'il vous plaît' when requesting. In formal settings, use 'vous'; with friends, 'tu' is acceptable.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Combien coûte expédier ceci ?' without 'pour' or 'ça'.
Try this instead: The natural structure is 'Combien ça coûte pour expédier ceci ?' or 'Combien ça coûte d'expédier ceci ?'. The pronoun 'ça' is necessary, and 'pour' or 'de' links the infinitive. Example: 'Combien ça coûte pour envoyer ce paquet ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'How much to ship this package?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Combien ça coûte pour expédier ce colis ?
This is the standard polite form. 'C'est combien pour envoyer ce paquet ?' is also correct in informal contexts.
2Translate: 'Does the price depend on the weight?'
Show a sample answer
Le prix dépend du poids ?
This directly asks about weight-based pricing. You could also say 'Est-ce que le prix dépend du poids ?'
3Say 'It weighs about three kilos.'
Show a sample answer
Il pèse environ trois kilos.
Use 'Il pèse' for 'it weighs', followed by the weight. In Quebec, you might say 'Il pèse environ trois livres' if using pounds.
To ask shipping costs in French, use 'Combien ça coûte pour expédier ce colis ?' and be ready to provide the weight with 'Il pèse... kilos'. Remember that pricing often depends on weight, so ask 'Le prix dépend du poids ?' to confirm.
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