French · Food & Drink
"Tip" in French: pourboire
le pourboire
Tip (money) in French is le pourboire, masculine. Laisser un pourboire means to leave a tip. Service is often included on bills, so tips are thank-you extras more than a fixed percent.
After dinner
On laisse un pourboire ? Le service était top.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pourboire
Say it
poor-BWAR
/puʁ.bwaʁ/
Pourboire: poor-BWAR. Pour like poor; boire like bwahr with French r.
"Tip" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le pourboire | the tip Restaurant and café. | Restaurant and café. |
| laisser un pourboire | to leave a tip Cash or card. | Cash or card. |
| un petit pourboire | a small tip Rounding up. | Rounding up. |
| pas de pourboire | no tip When service is included and you skip extras. | When service is included and you skip extras. |
How to use pourboire in real life
- 1After dinner
On laisse un pourboire ? Le service était top.
Shall we leave a tip? The service was great.
Un pourboire after a meal.
- 2Paying the bill
Garde le pourboire, merci beaucoup.
Keep the tip, thank you very much.
Handing cash tip.
- 3Splitting with friends
Chacun met deux euros pour le pourboire.
Everyone puts in two euros for the tip.
Shared tip pot.
Mistakes English speakers make with pourboire
Incorrect: Je laisse un tip.
Correct: Je laisse un pourboire.
Use pourboire for money tips.
Incorrect: La pourboire est inclus.
Correct: Le pourboire… / Le service est inclus.
Pourboire is masculine; service compris means tip/service included.
Good to know
Many French receipts say service compris. People still leave coins or round up for good service, especially in cafés and taxis, without US-style pressure.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Settling a café bill
ChatPal
Le service est compris. Tu laisses un pourboire ?
Service is included. Are you leaving a tip?
You
Oui, un petit pourboire. Elle était super sympa.
Yes, a small tip. She was really nice.
ChatPal
D'accord. Je mets deux euros de pourboire.
Okay. I'll put two euros tip.
You
Parfait, on y va.
Perfect, let's go.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Tip" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Tip" in French
How do you say tip in French?
Le pourboire.
Is tipping required?
Often service is included; a small pourboire is optional thanks.
How do you say leave a tip?
Laisser un pourboire.
How do you pronounce pourboire?
poor-BWAR.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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