In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe things that happen very frequently.
- Means 'commonplace' or 'an everyday occurrence' in society.
- Stays the same regardless of gender or number.
Bedeutung
Actually, the translation provided in your prompt is a common mistake! This phrase doesn't mean 'to have courage.' It means that something is very common, frequent, or an everyday occurrence.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about city life
À Paris, les embouteillages sont monnaie courante.
In Paris, traffic jams are commonplace.
Discussing office culture
Faire des heures supplémentaires est monnaie courante ici.
Working overtime is standard practice here.
Texting about a broken phone
Casser son écran, c'est monnaie courante de nos jours !
Breaking your screen is so common these days!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is often used when discussing 'la grève' (strikes). It reflects a certain social resignation to the fact that public services might be interrupted. In Quebec, the phrase is used just as in France, but often applied to 'les nids-de-poule' (potholes) on the roads after winter. In modern French business, 'être monnaie courante' is used to describe the adoption of English terms (anglicisms). Before the Euro, and even before the Franc was stabilized, having 'monnaie courante' was a sign of economic health and trust in the local lord.
Sound like a native
Use this when someone complains about something common. It shows you understand the 'system.'
No 'une'!
Avoid saying 'C'est une monnaie courante.' It's a very common learner error.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe things that happen very frequently.
- Means 'commonplace' or 'an everyday occurrence' in society.
- Stays the same regardless of gender or number.
What It Means
Imagine something so common that it circulates like coins in a pocket. That is exactly what être monnaie courante describes. It refers to situations, behaviors, or events that happen all the time. If you see people checking their phones at dinner, that is monnaie courante. It implies that something is no longer surprising or exceptional. It is just the way things are now.
How To Use It
You use this phrase just like an adjective. You start with your subject, add the verb être (to be), and then the phrase. It does not change if the subject is plural or feminine. It stays exactly as monnaie courante. For example, you can say Les retards sont monnaie courante (Delays are common). It is a elegant way to sound like a native speaker.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to talk about trends or habits. It is perfect for discussing office culture or social norms. If you are at a restaurant and see everyone taking photos of their food, tell your friend it is monnaie courante. It works well in professional meetings too. You might use it to describe market fluctuations or common customer complaints. It sounds polished but remains very accessible.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects you can buy. You would not say a loaf of bread is monnaie courante just because it is in every shop. It is for actions, events, or phenomena. Also, avoid using it for things that are truly rare or special. If something happens once a year, it is definitely not monnaie courante. It is also not a substitute for 'having courage'—that would be avoir du cran!
Cultural Background
This phrase dates back to a time when different regions had their own coins. 'Current currency' was the money everyone accepted without question. It was the standard that moved through every hand. Over time, the French started using it to describe anything that 'circulates' widely in society. It reflects the French love for metaphors involving value and exchange.
Common Variations
You might hear people say c'est courant for a shorter version. However, c'est monnaie courante adds a bit more flavor and weight to your sentence. Sometimes people use devenir monnaie courante to show that something is becoming more common. For instance, working from home has devenu monnaie courante lately. It captures the shift in our modern world perfectly.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any setting. Remember that 'monnaie' is feminine, which is why 'courante' has an 'e' at the end, but the whole phrase acts as a fixed block.
Sound like a native
Use this when someone complains about something common. It shows you understand the 'system.'
No 'une'!
Avoid saying 'C'est une monnaie courante.' It's a very common learner error.
The Shrug
This phrase is often accompanied by a small shrug of the shoulders to show you aren't surprised.
Beispiele
6À Paris, les embouteillages sont monnaie courante.
In Paris, traffic jams are commonplace.
Describes a frequent, annoying reality of city living.
Faire des heures supplémentaires est monnaie courante ici.
Working overtime is standard practice here.
Used to explain the 'unwritten rules' of a workplace.
Casser son écran, c'est monnaie courante de nos jours !
Breaking your screen is so common these days!
Relatable observation about modern technology.
Arriver en retard est monnaie courante chez Luc.
Being late is a regular thing for Luc.
Gently teasing a friend about their habits.
Les cyberattaques sont devenues monnaie courante.
Cyberattacks have become a frequent occurrence.
Shows the evolution of a trend over time.
À l'époque, jouer dehors était monnaie courante.
Back then, playing outside was the norm.
Reflecting on how things used to be common.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Dans cette ville, les vélos sont ________ ________.
The idiom 'monnaie courante' is used without an article and usually stays singular.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'common'?
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom uses 'être' and describes a noun/subject.
Fill in the missing line.
A: 'Il y a encore des bouchons sur l'autoroute !' B: 'Oui, le vendredi soir, ________.'
This is the standard way to agree that something is a frequent problem.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: You are at a company where everyone uses first names.
'Tutoiement' refers to using 'tu', which is common in modern startups.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Frequency Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDans cette ville, les vélos sont ________ ________.
The idiom 'monnaie courante' is used without an article and usually stays singular.
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom uses 'être' and describes a noun/subject.
A: 'Il y a encore des bouchons sur l'autoroute !' B: 'Oui, le vendredi soir, ________.'
This is the standard way to agree that something is a frequent problem.
Situation: You are at a company where everyone uses first names.
'Tutoiement' refers to using 'tu', which is common in modern startups.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you don't say 'Cet homme est monnaie courante.' It applies to situations, behaviors, or events.
It's neutral. It can be negative (strikes) or positive (kindness), but it's often used for slightly annoying recurring things.
Grammatically, it's 'monnaies courantes', but in the idiom, we almost always keep it singular: 'Ces choses sont monnaie courante.'
It's neutral-formal. You can use it in a business report or with a friend.
Literally, yes. But if you want to pay for coffee, just say 'de la monnaie' or 'des espèces.'
No, that is not a standard idiom. Stick to 'courante.'
You can say 'Ce n'est pas monnaie courante' or 'C'est rare.'
Yes, it is universally understood in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and African Francophone countries.
Because 'courante' means 'running' or 'circulating,' like water in a stream or money in a market.
Yes: 'C'était monnaie courante à l'époque.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
C'est courant
similarIt's common
Pain quotidien
similarDaily bread
Une denrée rare
contrastA rare commodity
À l'ordre du jour
similarOn the agenda
Devenir la norme
builds onTo become the norm
