What does combien in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word combien in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use combien in French.

The word combien in French means how many, how much, how much money, how much, oh so, oh-so, on what day, on what date, How long have you been ... ?, How much is it? How much does it cost?, What does that make?, How much is that?, How long ... ?, For how long? How long for?, How long ...?, How long has done ?, How long has been doing ?, What's the date today?, How often?. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word combien

how many

adverbe (quel nombre)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Combien d'enfants avez-vous ?
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. What size is your family?

how much, how much money

adverbe (quelle somme) (money owed)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Combien te dois-je ? À combien s'élève sa dette ?
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. What size is his debt?

how much

adverbe (à quel point)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Si tu savais combien je t'aime !
If you only knew how much I love you!

oh so, oh-so

adverbe (beaucoup) (can be ironic)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
J'ai apprécié ton aide, ô combien précieuse !
I appreciate your help; it's been oh so (or: oh-so) valuable!

on what day, on what date

nom masculin invariable (familier (rang, quantième du mois)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Jules viendra le combien ?
Jules is coming on what day?

How long have you been ... ?

(interroge sur la durée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ça fait combien de temps que tu étudies le mandarin ?
How long have you been studying Mandarin?

How much is it? How much does it cost?

(Quel est le prix ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cela a l'air intéressant, mais combien ça coûte ?

What does that make?

(Quel est le résultat ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
2 puissance 16 divisé par 128, combien ça fait ?

How much is that?

(Quel est le prix ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour trois bananes, 12 oranges et 6 pommes, combien ça fait ?

How long ... ?

(interroge sur la durée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Combien de temps as-tu vécu à Londres et combien de temps vas-tu rester ici, à Paris ? Combien de temps te faut-il pour monter ce meuble ?
How long did you live in London and how long are you staying here in Paris? How long will it take you to put that piece of furniture together?

For how long? How long for?

(interroge sur la durée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est vrai, tu as vécu à Londres ? Combien de temps ?
Is it true that you lived in London? For how long?

How long ...?

locution adverbiale (interroge sur la durée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Depuis combien de temps êtes-vous médecin ? Depuis combien de temps ne l'as-tu pas vue ?
How long is it since you last saw her? (or: How long ago did you last see her?)

How long has done ?, How long has been doing ?

locution adverbiale (interroge sur la durée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Et comme ça vous êtes médecin. Et depuis combien de temps ?
So you're a doctor. How long have you been doing that?

What's the date today?

(familier (Quel est le jour du mois ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
- Aujourd'hui, on est le combien ? - Le 12 je crois.

How often?

(à quelle fréquence ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

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