augmenter les prix
to raise prices
Use this phrase to discuss or complain about anything becoming more expensive in a clear, neutral way.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe any increase in the cost of goods.
- Composed of the verb 'augmenter' and the noun 'prix'.
- Perfect for both business meetings and casual grocery store venting.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used when the cost of something goes up. It is the standard way to talk about inflation or a shopkeeper hiking their prices.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6At the local bakery
Le boulanger a encore augmenté le prix du pain.
The baker raised the price of bread again.
In a formal business meeting
Nous devons augmenter les prix pour couvrir nos coûts.
We must raise prices to cover our costs.
Texting a friend about a concert
Ils ont augmenté les prix des billets, c'est abusé !
They raised the ticket prices, it's ridiculous!
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, the price of bread was historically regulated by the government to prevent social unrest. While those laws are gone, the psychological impact of a price hike on staples remains very high. Complaining about 'l'augmentation des prix' is a common way for strangers to bond in a queue.
The 'Encore' Trick
If you want to sound like a local when complaining, always add `encore`. Saying `Ils ont encore augmenté les prix` makes you sound like you've lived in Paris for ten years.
Don't confuse with 'Grandir'
Remember, `augmenter` is for numbers and levels. If you say you want to `augmenter` your son, people will think you want to stretch him on a rack!
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe any increase in the cost of goods.
- Composed of the verb 'augmenter' and the noun 'prix'.
- Perfect for both business meetings and casual grocery store venting.
What It Means
Augmenter les prix is a straightforward way to say 'to raise prices.' It combines the verb augmenter (to increase) with les prix (the prices). You will hear this everywhere in France right now. It covers everything from a 10-cent hike on a baguette to corporate inflation. It is a practical, essential phrase for daily life.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is very simple because it follows standard grammar. You just conjugate augmenter like a regular -er verb. For example, Ils augmentent les prix (They are raising the prices). You can use it as a statement of fact or a complaint. If you want to sound more natural, add an adverb. Try Ils ont encore augmenté les prix to show frustration. The word encore (again) adds that perfect touch of French annoyance.
When To Use It
You can use this in almost any setting. Use it at the local market when the tomatoes cost more than last week. Use it in a business meeting to discuss company strategy. It works perfectly when chatting with friends about the rising cost of living. It is the 'Swiss Army knife' of financial complaints. Even at the gas station, it is the go-to expression for the numbers on the pump.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for people’s height or weight. For that, you just use grandir or grossir. Also, avoid using it for 'raising' children; that is élever. If you are talking about raising your hand in class, use lever la main. Augmenter is specifically for amounts, levels, or values. Using it for a child would sound like you are trying to make them taller with a pump!
Cultural Background
In France, talking about money can be a bit taboo, but complaining about prices is a national sport. The French are very protective of the price of a 'baguette.' If a bakery decides to augmenter les prix, it might actually make the local news. There is a deep cultural value placed on 'le pouvoir d'achat' (purchasing power). When prices go up, people feel it is a direct hit to their quality of life.
Common Variations
You might also hear monter les prix, which is slightly more informal. If the increase is huge and unfair, people say flamber les prix (to skyrocket). On the flip side, if a shop is being greedy, you might hear gonfler les prix (to inflate/pad the prices). For a very formal business context, you might see revalorisation des tarifs. But for your daily life, augmenter les prix is the king of clarity.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a neutral phrase suitable for all contexts. It is grammatically simple and very common in daily conversation.
The 'Encore' Trick
If you want to sound like a local when complaining, always add `encore`. Saying `Ils ont encore augmenté les prix` makes you sound like you've lived in Paris for ten years.
Don't confuse with 'Grandir'
Remember, `augmenter` is for numbers and levels. If you say you want to `augmenter` your son, people will think you want to stretch him on a rack!
The Baguette Index
In France, the price of a baguette is a psychological anchor. If a bakery increases the price by even 5 cents, it's a huge topic of conversation in the neighborhood.
Beispiele
6Le boulanger a encore augmenté le prix du pain.
The baker raised the price of bread again.
Using 'encore' adds a typical touch of daily frustration.
Nous devons augmenter les prix pour couvrir nos coûts.
We must raise prices to cover our costs.
Here it sounds professional and logical.
Ils ont augmenté les prix des billets, c'est abusé !
They raised the ticket prices, it's ridiculous!
'C'est abusé' is a great informal pairing with this phrase.
S'ils augmentent les prix, je vais devoir vendre ma voiture !
If they raise the prices, I'll have to sell my car!
Hyperbole makes this a lighthearted joke.
Tout le monde augmente les prix en ce moment.
Everyone is raising prices at the moment.
A general statement about inflation.
Mon propriétaire veut encore augmenter le prix du loyer.
My landlord wants to raise the rent price again.
Expresses stress over living expenses.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
Le supermarché ___ les prix chaque semaine.
The subject 'Le supermarché' is singular, so the verb ends in -e.
Choose the best noun to complete the phrase.
Il est interdit d'augmenter les ___ sans prévenir.
'Les prix' is the standard plural noun used with this collocation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Augmenter les prix'
Monter les prix
Ils ont monté les prix.
Augmenter les prix
On augmente les prix.
Revaloriser les tarifs
Nous revalorisons nos tarifs.
Where to use 'Augmenter les prix'
At the Market
Les prix augmentent !
Office Meeting
Faut-il augmenter les prix ?
Watching News
L'inflation augmente les prix.
With Friends
Ils ont encore augmenté les prix...
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it is a neutral and polite phrase. You can use it with a shopkeeper or your boss without being rude.
Yes, monter les prix is very common in spoken French. It is slightly more casual but perfectly acceptable.
You can say les prix augmentent. In this case, the prices are the subject of the sentence.
Not a single word, but people might say se faire rincer (to get rinsed) if they feel the price hike is a scam.
The opposite is baisser les prix (to lower prices). Use it when there is a sale or a discount.
Usually, you say augmenter mon salaire or simply être augmenté (to get a raise).
Yes, you can say augmenter les impôts. It follows the same logic as prices.
The noun form is une augmentation des prix. For example: Je ne suis pas content de cette augmentation.
Both work! Use le prix for a specific item (like bread) and les prix for general costs.
Yes, you can say la température augmente. It works for any measurable scale.
Verwandte Redewendungen
baisser les prix
faire une promotion
le pouvoir d'achat
coûter les yeux de la tête
cher comme du bon pain
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