/kɔ̃bjɛ̃/
Translation
how much, how many
Word origin
A compound of Latin quomodo ('how') and bene ('well'), through Old French com plus bien. It means 'how much, how many'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- quomodo + bene
Examples
?
How many people are expected at Friday's conference?
?
How much does this black coat in the shop cost?
Bordeaux TGV ?
Do you know how long it takes to get to Bordeaux by TGV?
-- ?
How much time is left before the train departs?
.
You have no idea how proud I am of you.
est l'adverbe interrogatif de quantité ou de prix. Combien de + nom (how many/much + noun) : combien de gens, combien de temps, combien d'argent. Pour le prix seul : combien ça coûte ? ou c'est combien ? - cette dernière forme, très directe, est courante dans les commerces.
Combien ? isolé (how much is it?, how many?) est la forme abrégée dans les transactions. Je ne sais pas combien (I don't know how many/much) introduit une subordonnée interrogative indirecte. Depuis combien de temps (for how long, how long + have) demande la durée d'une situation présente avec depuis : depuis combien de temps tu attends ?
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
(5)French Interrogatives: qui, que, où, quand, comment, pourquoi, combien, quel
French Pronouns Y and EN: there, some, of it, of them
French Question Words: qui, que, quand, où, comment, pourquoi and the Three Ways to Ask
Reported Questions and Commands in French
French Time Expressions: depuis, pendant, il y a and pour
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combien: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "combien" (how much, how many): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 5.