French word

calculer

Pronunciation

IPA/kalkyle/

Meaning

  • verbcalculate

Example

Peux-tu calculer ce montant ?

Can you calculate this amount?

Illustration for calculer (calculate)

More examples

Avant d'acheter, il faut calculer le coût total.

Before buying, it is necessary to calculate the total cost.

Core concept

Numbers being worked through to produce a total, result, or estimated value.

Common phrases

  • calculer mentalement

    perform mental arithmetic

  • calculer la facture

    calculate the bill

  • calculer les impôts

    calculate the taxes

Similar words

compter: To count items one by one to find the total number.
additionner: To add several numbers to obtain their total.
estimer: To estimate an approximate number or value from imprecise information.

Definition in French

Effectuer des opérations pour obtenir un résultat numérique, par exemple additionner, soustraire ou estimer une valeur.

Word origin

French calculer comes from Latin calculare, based on calculus, a small pebble once used for counting, and later developed the numerical sense.

Usage tips

  • Calculer takes a direct object in phrases such as calculer ce montant, while combien ça coûte? is more natural for a casual price question.

Other meanings

  • add upverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word