In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe making goods or services more expensive.
- Common in news, business, and everyday complaints.
- Transitive verb phrase: Subject + augmenter + les prix.
- Opposite of 'baisser les prix' (to lower prices).
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of making something more expensive, whether it's a cup of coffee or a monthly subscription. It captures the slightly frustrating moment when you realize your favorite app or bakery has changed its numbers on the menu.
Key Examples
3 of 10Texting a friend about a gym membership
Ma salle de sport va encore augmenter les prix le mois prochain.
My gym is going to raise the prices again next month.
At a local bakery
Le boulanger a dû augmenter les prix à cause du coût de la farine.
The baker had to raise the prices because of the cost of flour.
In a corporate meeting
Pour rester rentables, nous devons augmenter les prix de nos logiciels.
To stay profitable, we must raise the prices of our software.
Cultural Background
France has a complex relationship with pricing, historically influenced by state-controlled prices on essentials like bread to prevent social unrest. The phrase `augmenter les prix` often triggers memories of the transition from the Franc to the Euro in 2002, when many French citizens felt shopkeepers used the currency change as an excuse to hike prices. Today, with the rise of global inflation, the phrase is a constant fixture in French 'râler' (complaining) culture, serving as a social bonding mechanism over shared economic frustration.
The Ghost Increase
If the price rises on its own, use the intransitive form: 'Les prix augmentent'. If a person/company does it, use 'X augmente les prix'.
The Art of Grumbling
In France, complaining about 'augmenter les prix' is a social lubricant. Don't be afraid to join in with a 'C'est abusé !' (That's excessive!) to sound like a local.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe making goods or services more expensive.
- Common in news, business, and everyday complaints.
- Transitive verb phrase: Subject + augmenter + les prix.
- Opposite of 'baisser les prix' (to lower prices).
What It Means
Ever looked at your Netflix bill and wondered why it keeps creeping up? That feeling of mild betrayal when your favorite sourdough bread suddenly costs an extra euro is exactly what augmenter les prix is all about. It is the bread and butter (pun intended) of economic conversation in France. You’ll hear it in news reports about inflation, see it in emails from your gym, and definitely use it when complaining to your friends about the cost of living.
What It Means
At its core, augmenter les prix simply means to raise prices. But in French, it carries a certain weight. It’s not just a mathematical change; it’s a social event. When a shopkeeper decides to augmenter les prix, they know they’ll be hearing about it from the regulars for the next three weeks. It implies a deliberate action by a seller or an economic force. It’s the opposite of baisser les prix (to lower prices), which happens about as often as a sunny day in November in Paris.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is easier than finding a good baguette at 6 PM. It’s a standard verb-object construction. You have the subject (who is doing the raising), the verb augmenter, and the object les prix. You can use it in any tense. For example, Le boulanger a augmenté les prix (The baker raised the prices). If you want to talk about prices rising on their own (like a ghost in the machine), you’d say Les prix augmentent (Prices are rising). Just remember that augmenter is a regular -er verb, so it behaves perfectly, unlike my cat during a Zoom call.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you are scrolling through Twitter and see a viral post: "Uber va encore augmenter les prix ce week-end !" (Uber is going to raise prices again this weekend!). You might reply with a crying emoji. Or, imagine you’re at a café and the waiter says, "Désolé, nous avons dû augmenter les prix à cause du lait." (Sorry, we had to raise prices because of the milk). It’s everywhere. From TikToks about "dupe" products because the originals got too expensive, to serious LinkedIn posts about market trends, this phrase is the MVP of commercial French.
When To Use It
You should reach for this phrase whenever there is a transaction involved. It’s perfect for professional settings, like a meeting where you discuss the company’s strategy: "Nous devons augmenter les prix de 5%." It’s also totally fine for casual chats with your neighbor about why the local gas station is charging so much. It’s a neutral, all-purpose tool. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife, but for talking about how your wallet is getting thinner.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use augmenter if you’re talking about your physical height. If you say "J'ai augmenté," people will think you’ve expanded horizontally or perhaps gained a higher salary, not that you’ve grown taller. For height, use grandir. Also, don't use it for volume on your TV. If you want to turn up the music, use monter le son. Using augmenter les prix for a radio would be like trying to pay for a croissant with Monopoly money—it just doesn't work.
Common Mistakes
One big trap is using monter instead of augmenter. While les prix montent (prices are going up) is fine, saying "Je vais monter les prix" sounds a bit like you’re physically carrying the price tags up a flight of stairs. Use augmenter for the active decision.
Le magasin va grandir les prix.
✓Le magasin va augmenter les prix.
Remember, grandir is for kids and plants. Prices don't grow; they are increased. Another classic mistake is forgetting the article: ✗ Augmenter prix → ✓ Augmenter LES prix. French loves its articles like I love free samples at the cheese market.
Similar Expressions
If you want to sound more sophisticated, you can use hausser les prix. It’s a bit more formal and often used when the increase is sharp or sudden. If you’re feeling dramatic (very French!), you can use faire flamber les prix, which literally means to make the prices "flame up." It’s what happens during a crisis or a massive hype train. For a more technical vibe, economists use renchérir, but you’ll mostly see that in newspapers like *Le Monde*.
Common Variations
You might hear une augmentation de prix (a price increase). This is the noun version. For example, "Il y a eu une augmentation de prix chez Netflix." You can also use augmenter le tarif if you’re talking about a specific service fee or a professional rate. If you’re a freelancer, you don't augmenter les prix; you augmentes tes tarifs. It sounds a bit more "consultant-chic."
Memory Trick
Think of the English word "augment." When you augment something, you add to it. Augmenter is just the French cousin. Imagine a giant "A" for Augmenter that looks like an arrow pointing straight up to the sky. Or, if you’re a gamer, think of "augmented reality"—it’s reality plus something extra. Augmenter les prix is just the price plus an extra bit of pain for your bank account.
Quick FAQ
Is it rude to talk about this? Not in France! Complaining about prices is a national sport. Can I use it for my salary? Yes! Augmenter mon salaire is what you ask your boss. Is it formal? It's neutral. You can use it with your grandma or your CEO. Does it only apply to money? Mostly, but you can also augmenter la température or augmenter le risque. But for today, let's just stick to the stuff that makes shopping more difficult.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and used in both spoken and written French. Always remember to use 'augmenter' as a transitive verb with an object (les prix) when you are describing an action, and ensure you use the correct article 'les'.
The Ghost Increase
If the price rises on its own, use the intransitive form: 'Les prix augmentent'. If a person/company does it, use 'X augmente les prix'.
The Art of Grumbling
In France, complaining about 'augmenter les prix' is a social lubricant. Don't be afraid to join in with a 'C'est abusé !' (That's excessive!) to sound like a local.
Don't 'Grandir' your Budget
Never use 'grandir' with money. It makes you sound like a toddler. Stick to 'augmenter' for everything financial.
Tarifs vs Prix
Use 'tarifs' for services (lawyers, taxis, freelancers) and 'prix' for physical goods (apples, cars, TVs).
Examples
10Ma salle de sport va encore augmenter les prix le mois prochain.
My gym is going to raise the prices again next month.
A common use for recurring subscriptions.
Le boulanger a dû augmenter les prix à cause du coût de la farine.
The baker had to raise the prices because of the cost of flour.
Explaining the reason behind a price change.
Pour rester rentables, nous devons augmenter les prix de nos logiciels.
To stay profitable, we must raise the prices of our software.
Professional context regarding business strategy.
J'adore cette marque, mais ils ne font qu'augmenter les prix !
I love this brand, but all they do is raise prices!
Expressing frustration on social media.
Le gouvernement craint que les supermarchés continuent d'augmenter les prix.
The government fears that supermarkets will continue to raise prices.
Standard journalistic usage.
✗ Le café veut grandir les prix. → ✓ Le café veut augmenter les prix.
The café wants to raise prices.
Prices don't 'grow' (grandir), they are 'increased' (augmenter).
Uber a décidé d'augmenter les prix pendant les heures de pointe.
Uber decided to raise prices during peak hours.
Modern app-based context.
Mon propriétaire veut augmenter les prix du loyer, c'est injuste.
My landlord wants to raise the rent prices, it's unfair.
Shows the emotional weight of the phrase.
Si tu continues de commander du champagne, je vais devoir augmenter les prix de mon budget !
If you keep ordering champagne, I'll have to raise the prices of my budget!
Using the phrase metaphorically for a joke.
✗ Il va faire monter les prix de son pain. → ✓ Il va augmenter les prix de son pain.
He is going to raise the prices of his bread.
'Faire monter' is okay for market trends, but for a direct action, 'augmenter' is better.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank
In French, 'augmenter' is the standard verb for increasing prices.
Choose the correct option
Which sentence is correct?
You need the article 'les' before 'prix'.
Find and fix the error
'Grandir' is for physical growth; 'augmenter' is for numerical or financial increases.
Translate this sentence
A direct translation using the present tense of 'augmenter'.
Fill in the blank
Inflation typically forces businesses to increase (augmenter) their rates.
Put the words in correct order
The question starts with 'Pourquoi', followed by the verb and then the infinitive 'augmenter'.
Choose the correct option
Which phrase is more formal than 'augmenter les prix'?
'Hausser' is a more formal synonym for raising prices.
Find and fix the error
While 'monter' is sometimes heard, 'augmenter' is the correct transitive verb for this action.
Translate this sentence
This uses a negative infinitive construction 'ne pas augmenter'.
Fill in the blank
After 'empêcher... de', you use the base infinitive form.
Match phrases with meanings
Different nuances of price changes in French.
Put the words in correct order
A complex structure meaning 'The company had no other choice but to raise prices'.
🎉 Score: /12
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to talk about Price Hikes
Dramatic/Emotional
Faire flamber les prix
Everyday Conversation
Augmenter les prix
Business/Economy
Hausser les tarifs
Where you'll see 'Augmenter les prix'
Streaming Services
Netflix va augmenter les prix.
Local Bakery
La baguette a augmenté.
News Headlines
L'inflation fait augmenter les prix.
Social Media
Ils ne font qu'augmenter les prix !
Gas Station
L'essence a encore augmenté.
Augmenter vs. Other Verbs
Reasons for 'Augmenter les prix'
Economic
- • L'inflation
- • Le coût des matières premières
- • La crise énergétique
Corporate
- • Nouvelle stratégie
- • Amélioration du service
- • Frais de transport
Seasonal
- • Fêtes de fin d'année
- • Haute saison touristique
- • Pénurie de récolte
Practice Bank
12 exercisesLe magasin va ... les prix demain.
In French, 'augmenter' is the standard verb for increasing prices.
Which sentence is correct?
You need the article 'les' before 'prix'.
Find and fix the mistake:
La boulangerie va grandir les prix.
'Grandir' is for physical growth; 'augmenter' is for numerical or financial increases.
They are raising the prices.
Hints: They = Ils, Raising = augmentent, Prices = les prix
A direct translation using the present tense of 'augmenter'.
Si l'inflation continue, nous devrons ... nos tarifs.
Inflation typically forces businesses to increase (augmenter) their rates.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
Click words above to build the sentence
The question starts with 'Pourquoi', followed by the verb and then the infinitive 'augmenter'.
Which phrase is more formal than 'augmenter les prix'?
'Hausser' is a more formal synonym for raising prices.
Find and fix the mistake:
On ne peut pas monter les prix sans raison.
While 'monter' is sometimes heard, 'augmenter' is the correct transitive verb for this action.
Despite the crisis, they decided not to raise prices.
Hints: Despite = Malgré, Decided = ont décidé, Not to raise = de ne pas augmenter
This uses a negative infinitive construction 'ne pas augmenter'.
Le gouvernement essaie d'empêcher les entreprises d'... les prix de façon injustifiée.
After 'empêcher... de', you use the base infinitive form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Different nuances of price changes in French.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
Click words above to build the sentence
A complex structure meaning 'The company had no other choice but to raise prices'.
🎉 Score: /12
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
20 questionsAbsolutely! You can say 'Je veux demander à mon patron d'augmenter mon salaire.' It is the standard way to talk about getting a raise in a professional environment, though it's always a bit nerve-wracking to ask.
It is neutral and versatile. You can use it in a formal business report, a newspaper article, or a casual conversation with your friends at a bar while looking at a receipt. It fits everywhere perfectly.
'Hausser' is slightly more formal and often implies a sharp or sudden movement. While you'll hear 'augmenter' on the street, you might see 'hausser les prix' in a technical economic analysis or a high-level government briefing.
It is 'augmenter les prix' when you are the one doing the action. If you want to say the price increased by a certain amount, you say 'Le prix a augmenté de 5 euros.' The preposition 'de' is used for the quantity of change.
You can say 'Les prix montent' (Prices are rising), which is very common. However, avoid saying 'Je vais monter les prix.' In that specific transitive context where you are the actor, 'augmenter' is much more natural and correct.
The most common way to say 'price hike' or 'price increase' is 'une augmentation de prix.' For example, you could say 'L'augmentation de prix a surpris tout le monde.' It's a very useful noun to have in your vocabulary.
Yes, it does! You can 'augmenter la température' on your thermostat. It's a general-purpose verb for increasing any numerical value or intensity, which makes it incredibly useful for learners to master early on.
There isn't one specific slang word for the act, but people might say 'ils nous massacrent sur les prix' (they are massacring us on prices) or 'ils se gavent' (they are stuffing themselves) to imply greedy price hikes.
This is a more dramatic and idiomatic way to say that prices are skyrocketing. It's often used during a crisis or when a product becomes extremely trendy and scarce, leading to crazy price jumps that feel like a fire spreading.
No, you cannot use 'augmenter' to mean making something physically larger in size. For that, you would use 'agrandir' (for a house) or 'élargir' (for a road). 'Augmenter' is strictly for value, quantity, or intensity.
Yes, 'augmenter' is a regular -er verb. This means it follows the standard conjugation patterns, which is great news for learners. J'augmente, tu augmentes, il augmente, nous augmentons, vous augmentez, ils augmentent. Easy as pie!
Definitely not! To raise a child, you use the verb 'élever.' If you tell a French person 'J'augmente mon fils,' they might think you're inflating him like a balloon or perhaps giving him a massive allowance increase.
Complaining, or 'râler,' is a cultural trait that often serves as a way to bond with others. Talking about how 'ils augmentent encore les prix' is a safe, shared topic that everyone can agree on, especially at the market.
There is a widespread belief in France that when the Euro was introduced in 2002, many businesses took the opportunity to 'augmenter les prix' by rounding up. This created a lasting cultural skepticism toward price changes in the country.
The opposite of 'augmenter les prix' is 'baisser les prix.' It's good to learn them as a pair. While everyone loves a 'baisse des prix,' you'll unfortunately hear 'augmentation' much more frequently in the news today.
Yes! You can 'augmenter son nombre d'abonnés' (increase your number of followers). It works for any count or statistic that you want to see go up, from Instagram likes to YouTube views and website traffic.
This means 'the cost of living.' It's the broader context in which 'augmenter les prix' happens. When people talk about the cost of living rising, they often say 'le coût de la vie augmente,' which is a very common phrase.
Both are correct depending on the context. 'Augmenter le prix' refers to the price of one specific item, while 'augmenter les prix' is the general phrase used for multiple items or the general trend of a store.
While 'monter le son' is more common in daily life, 'augmenter le volume' is also perfectly correct and often seen on electronic devices or in technical settings. It's just a bit more formal than the casual 'monter'.
'Renchérir' is a more literary or economic term meaning 'to become more expensive.' You don't use it as often in speech, but you'll see it in headlines like 'Le pétrole renchérit' (Oil is becoming more expensive).
Related Phrases
Baisser les prix
antonymTo lower prices
This is the direct opposite and essential for discussing any kind of price movement in a market.
Hausser les prix
formal versionTo raise prices (formal)
It serves as a more sophisticated synonym often used in news reports or professional economic discussions.
Faire flamber les prix
related topicTo make prices skyrocket
This idiomatic expression adds emotional weight and describes a very rapid and significant price increase.
Une augmentation de prix
related topicA price hike
This is the noun form of the phrase and is used constantly in headlines and formal announcements.
Gonfler les prix
related topicTo inflate prices
This implies an artificial or unfair increase, suggesting that the seller is 'inflating' the cost beyond what is reasonable.