French word

comptoir

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃twaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncounter

Example

Je vais commander au comptoir.

I'm going to order at the counter.

Illustration for comptoir (counter)

More examples

Il a posé son sac sur le comptoir.

He put his bag on the counter.

Core concept

A shop or cafe counter brings the customer and the person serving them face to face for an order or payment.

Common phrases

  • au comptoir

    at the counter

  • commander au comptoir

    order at the counter

  • payer au comptoir

    pay at the counter

Similar words

guichet: A service window or counter for handling procedures and providing information.
caisse: A checkout counter or area where payments are processed.

Definition in French

Plan de travail placé devant le public dans un café, un magasin ou un guichet, où le client commande, est servi ou paie.

Word origin

Comptoir comes from Old French and is derived from compter, "to count", with a suffix marking a place or object used for an activity.

Usage tips

  • Au comptoir usually describes direct service in a cafe or shop, while au guichet commonly refers to a service window or ticket desk.

Other meanings

  • storenoun
  • service desknoun

Word lists with this word