French Conversation · Level 173
15 words
French word
pourboire
Pronunciation
IPA/puʁbwaʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nountip
Example
Il a laissé un pourboire.
He left a tip.
More examples
Le serveur a refusé le pourboire.
The server refused the tip.
Core concept
A small voluntary payment directed to the person who has just provided a service.
Common phrases
laisser un pourboire
leave a tip
donner un pourboire
give a tip
un pourboire en espèces
a cash tip
Similar words
service: The help or work a business provides to its customers.
addition: The bill listing the total cost of a meal at a restaurant.
Definition in French
Argent donné volontairement à une personne après une prestation de service pour la remercier, sans que cela soit légalement obligatoire.
Word origin
The noun comes from the phrase 'pour boire', meaning 'for drinking', which referred to money given to a server for a drink.
Usage tips
- Pourboire is masculine, so standard forms include un pourboire and le pourboire.