How to Say ‘Sorry, but the meter says twenty-five euros.’ in French
Pardon, mais le compteur indique vingt-cinq euros.
par-dohn meh Luh kohn-TUHR an-DEEK van-SANK uh-roh
[par-dohn meh Luh kohn-TUHR an-DEEK van-SANK uh-roh]
💬 Usage Tip: indique "shows, indicates" is the usual verb for what a meter, screen or sign says. Don't use dit here.
🇫🇷 In France: Paris taxis must run the meter, and for airport trips there is a fixed fare. Pointing calmly at the meter is the normal, effective way to question a price.
Phrase Breakdown
Pardon,
par-dohn
Excuse me,
A polite way to interrupt or object. Use a nasal ending: 'par-dohn'.
Pardon, où est la gare ?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Words in this phrase
Pardon
[par-dohn]
sorry / pardon
Used to apologize lightly, ask someone to repeat, or get past someone.
Si je bouscule quelqu'un, je dis « Pardon ».
If I bump into someone, I say “Sorry.”
mais le compteur indique
meh Luh kohn-TUHR an-DEEK
but the meter shows
'Compteur' is the taxi meter. Say 'meh luh kohn-tur an-deek'. The P is silent.
Le compteur indique dix euros.
The meter shows ten euros.
Words in this phrase
mais
[meh]
But
Used to introduce a contrast.
Il est petit mais fort.
He is small but strong.
le
[Luh]
The (masculine singular)
Definite article used before masculine singular nouns.
Le chat est noir.
The cat is black.
compteur
[kohn-TUHR]
meter
A device that counts, like a taxi fare meter.
Le compteur tourne.
The meter is running.
indique
[an-DEEK]
indicates / shows
From « indiquer », to show or point out.
Le panneau indique la gare.
The sign shows the station.
vingt-cinq euros.
van-SANK uh-roh
twenty-five euros.
Pronounce the T in 'vingt' here: 'vant-sank-uh-ro'.
Ça coûte vingt-cinq euros.
It costs twenty-five euros.
Words in this phrase
vingt-cinq
[van-SANK]
twenty-five
The number 25; used with 'le' to give the 25th day of a month.
Noël, c'est le vingt-cinq décembre.
Christmas is December twenty-fifth.
euros
[uh-roh]
euros
The currency used in France and much of Europe.
Dans « Nous facturons 20 euros », « euros » précise la devise.
In "We charge 20 euros", "euros" specifies the currency.
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