French Conversation · Level 124
58 words
French word
rembourser
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁɑ̃buʁse/
Meaning
- verbrefund
Example
On peut rembourser le billet au guichet.
The ticket can be refunded at the counter.
More examples
Le magasin m'a remboursé parce que l'article était défectueux.
The store refunded me because the item was defective.
Core concept
Money goes back to the person who lent it or paid the expense, restoring the financial balance.
Common phrases
rembourser ses dettes
repay one's debts
se faire rembourser par le vendeur
get a refund from the seller
Similar words
payer: To give money in exchange for goods or services.
régler: To settle a bill or account by paying what is owed.
rendre: To return a borrowed item or something received to its owner.
Definition in French
Rendre à quelqu'un l'argent qui lui a été prêté ou payé, ou compenser une dépense en lui versant une somme.
Word origin
The verb comes from Old French remborsier, formed with re- and bourse, 'purse', for putting money back into a purse.
Usage tips
- French uses rembourser quelqu'un for repaying a person and rembourser quelque chose for reimbursing a cost, so the direct object changes with the focus.
Other meanings
- repayverb
- compensateverb
Related words
- remboursablerefundableadjective