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A2 noun 12 min read

compris

Examples
Explanation compris in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, the word compris is usually introduced as part of basic survival vocabulary for tourists and travelers in French-speaking regions. You do not need to worry about complex grammar rules or the fact that it is a past participle of the verb comprendre at this stage. Instead, you should simply memorize it as a fixed vocabulary word that means included. When you go to a restaurant in France, you will look at the menu and see the phrase service compris. This is incredibly important because it tells you that the tip is already included in the price of your meal, so you do not need to leave extra money on the table unless you want to reward exceptional service. You will also see it at hotels when booking a room, often written as petit-déjeuner compris, which means breakfast is included in the price of your stay. Another way you will hear this word at the A1 level is when someone is checking if you understand what they are saying. A teacher or a guide might say C'est compris ? which simply means Is that understood? or Do you get it? You can reply by saying Oui, c'est compris to mean Yes, I understand. At this level, focus entirely on recognizing the word in written texts like menus and signs, and understanding its basic meaning in simple spoken questions. Do not worry about changing its spelling for masculine or feminine words yet; just focus on the core meaning of inclusion and understanding. This word is a fantastic tool for navigating basic transactions and ensuring smooth communication during your early experiences with the French language.
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At the A2 elementary level, your understanding of the word compris expands beyond simple memorization of fixed phrases on menus. You now start to see how it functions grammatically within a sentence, specifically as an adjective that must agree with the noun it describes. You learn that if the noun is feminine, you must add an e to make it comprise, and if it is plural, you must add an s. For example, you might talk about renting an apartment and see the phrase charges comprises, meaning the utility fees are included. Because charges is feminine and plural, the word becomes comprises. This is a crucial step in developing your grammatical accuracy in French. Furthermore, at the A2 level, you are introduced to the extremely useful expression y compris, which translates to including in English. You learn that this phrase is used to add items or people to a list. For instance, you could say J'aime tous les fruits, y compris les pommes (I like all fruits, including apples). A very important grammatical rule you learn at this stage is that y compris is invariable when it comes before the noun. This means it never changes its spelling, regardless of whether the following noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. You will always write y compris, never y comprise. You also start using the phrase tout compris to describe all-inclusive deals, such as un voyage tout compris (an all-inclusive trip). By mastering these agreements and the specific usage of y compris, you significantly improve your ability to describe situations, discuss prices, and explain what is and isn't included in various everyday scenarios.
At the B1 intermediate level, your use of the word compris becomes much more nuanced and integrated into complex sentence structures. You are now fully comfortable with its dual role as both an adjective indicating inclusion and the past participle of the verb comprendre indicating understanding. You can fluidly use it in the passé composé tense, such as saying J'ai compris la leçon (I understood the lesson), while clearly distinguishing this usage from its adjectival form. In terms of inclusion, you start using compris in professional and administrative contexts, not just in tourism. For example, you might discuss a contract and state Les taxes sont non comprises (Taxes are not included). You also become highly proficient with the invariable nature of y compris when placed before a noun, and you might even learn the more advanced, traditional rule that if y compris is placed after the noun, it can agree with it, though you know it is safer and more common to place it before. At this level, you also explore alternative ways to express inclusion, comparing compris with words like inclus. You understand that while they are often synonymous, compris is more idiomatic in everyday speech and specific set phrases like service compris. You can engage in debates or discussions and use y compris to emphasize a point, such as saying Tout le monde doit faire un effort, y compris le gouvernement (Everyone must make an effort, including the government). Your pronunciation is also refined; you know exactly when to pronounce the final s (in liaisons or in the feminine form) and when to keep it silent. This word becomes a versatile tool in your active vocabulary, allowing for precise and natural expression.
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At the B2 upper-intermediate level, you are expected to handle the word compris with near-native fluency, utilizing it across a wide range of abstract, professional, and complex conversational contexts. You no longer merely use it for restaurant bills or basic comprehension checks; you employ it to articulate detailed arguments and specify conditions in professional or academic discussions. The phrase y compris becomes a staple in your rhetorical toolkit, allowing you to seamlessly integrate examples and exceptions into your discourse. For instance, you might analyze a social issue and state Les nouvelles réformes affecteront tous les secteurs, y compris la santé publique et l'éducation (The new reforms will affect all sectors, including public health and education). You are acutely aware of the grammatical subtleties, such as the fact that y compris functions strictly as a prepositional phrase when preceding a noun, thus remaining invariable, a rule that often trips up less experienced learners. Furthermore, you can confidently navigate compound nouns and adjectives involving the word, such as un forfait tout-compris (an all-inclusive package), understanding how hyphenation and agreement work in these specific cases. You also grasp the subtle semantic differences between compris, inclus, and other related terms, choosing the precise word based on the register of the conversation—whether it is a formal written report or a casual debate among friends. Your listening comprehension is sharp enough to pick up the word even when spoken rapidly in native dialogue, recognizing the implied meanings and the tone of the speaker. At this stage, the word is fully internalized, and you use it automatically without needing to consciously translate it from English, demonstrating a high level of linguistic sophistication.
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At the C1 advanced level, your mastery of the word compris encompasses not only flawless grammatical execution but also a deep appreciation of its stylistic and idiomatic applications in the French language. You manipulate the word effortlessly in complex, multi-clause sentences, often using it to create emphasis, contrast, or precise legalistic definitions. In formal writing, such as essays, reports, or official correspondence, you utilize y compris to meticulously define the scope of your statements, ensuring absolute clarity. You are fully conversant with the historical and literary nuances of the word, understanding how its usage might vary slightly in classical literature compared to contemporary journalistic prose. You can also play with the syntax, intentionally placing y compris after the noun for stylistic effect, fully aware of the rare agreement rules that apply in such hyper-formal contexts (e.g., les frais de justice y compris vs les taxes y comprises). Moreover, you understand the cultural weight of phrases like service compris in the context of French labor laws and the hospitality industry's evolution. You can engage in high-level discussions about consumer rights, pricing transparency, and economic policies using this vocabulary accurately. Your pronunciation and intonation are impeccable; you use liaisons naturally, seamlessly connecting the final s of compris to following vowels when appropriate in elevated speech, while dropping it in casual, everyday registers. You also recognize and use derived idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms with ease. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item; it is a structural element that you use to shape your arguments, demonstrating a profound and intuitive command of French syntax and semantics.
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At the C2 mastery level, your relationship with the word compris is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You possess an exhaustive understanding of its etymology, its syntactic flexibility, and its most obscure grammatical exceptions. You can effortlessly navigate the most complex and convoluted texts—be they archaic legal documents, dense philosophical treatises, or avant-garde literature—and instantly parse the exact function and nuance of the word within those contexts. You are capable of writing highly sophisticated, persuasive texts where y compris is used not just for inclusion, but for rhetorical rhythm and cadence. You understand the debates among French grammarians (such as those at the Académie Française) regarding the invariability of y compris and can deliberately choose whether to follow strict traditionalist rules or modern descriptive usage depending on your audience and purpose. You can seamlessly integrate the word into spontaneous, high-stakes oral communication, such as academic defenses or professional negotiations, using it to precisely delineate boundaries and conditions without a moment's hesitation. You are also acutely aware of regional variations in how the word is used or pronounced across the global Francophone world, from Quebec to West Africa to Switzerland. Your use of the word is characterized by absolute precision, stylistic elegance, and a deep, intuitive feel for the rhythm of the French language. You do not just use the word correctly; you use it artfully, exploiting its full semantic potential to enrich your expression and convey the most subtle shades of meaning.
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Examples
The French word compris is an incredibly versatile and frequently used term that functions primarily as the past participle of the verb comprendre, which means to understand or to include. In everyday French communication, however, you will most often encounter it acting as an adjective or a preposition meaning included, comprised, or counted as part of something. Understanding how to use this word correctly is absolutely essential for anyone traveling to a French-speaking country, as it appears on nearly every restaurant menu, hotel bill, and travel itinerary. When you see a price listed in France, you will often see the phrase service compris, which indicates that the tip or service charge is already included in the final amount. This is a legal requirement in France, but seeing the word provides reassurance to tourists. Furthermore, the expression y compris is widely used in both spoken and written French to mean including. For example, you might say that everyone came to the party, including your brother, which translates to tout le monde est venu à la fête, y compris mon frère. The beauty of y compris is that it acts as an invariable preposition when placed before the noun, meaning its spelling never changes regardless of the gender or number of the noun that follows it. This makes it relatively easy for English speakers to adopt into their active vocabulary. In addition to its meaning of inclusion, compris is also the standard way to confirm understanding. If someone gives you instructions, you can simply reply c'est compris to mean it is understood or I get it. This dual nature of the word—representing both physical or conceptual inclusion and mental comprehension—makes it a cornerstone of the French language. Let us look at some specific examples and structures to solidify this concept.
Hospitality Usage
In hotels, you will frequently see petit-déjeuner compris, meaning breakfast is included in the room rate.

Le menu est à vingt euros, service compris.

Travel Packages
Travel agencies heavily promote voyages tout compris, which translates directly to all-inclusive trips.

Nous avons acheté un voyage tout compris.

Confirming Understanding
Teachers and managers will often ask C'est compris? to ensure their instructions were clear.

Oui, le message est bien compris.

Tout le monde était là, y compris les enfants.

Les taxes sont comprises dans ce montant final.

To truly master this vocabulary word, you must practice recognizing it in both written contexts, such as receipts and contracts, and spoken contexts, such as casual conversations and professional meetings. The more you expose yourself to authentic French materials, the more natural the usage of this essential term will become in your own speaking and writing repertoire.
Using the word compris correctly in French sentences requires a solid understanding of French grammar rules, particularly those concerning past participles and prepositions. When compris is used as a standalone adjective following a noun, it must agree in gender and number with that noun. For instance, if you are talking about taxes, which is a feminine plural noun in French (les taxes), you must add an e and an s to the end of the word, resulting in les taxes comprises. However, if you are talking about the service, which is a masculine singular noun (le service), the word remains in its base form, resulting in le service compris. This agreement rule is a fundamental aspect of French grammar that applies to all adjectives and past participles used adjectivally. The situation changes entirely when you use the phrase y compris. This specific phrase functions as a preposition meaning including, and it is strictly invariable when it precedes the noun it modifies. This means that no matter what noun comes after it, you will always write y compris. For example, you would write y compris les taxes, not y comprise les taxes. This exception to the agreement rule often confuses learners, but it is crucial for sounding like a native speaker. Another common structure is tout compris, which means all-inclusive. This phrase is generally treated as an invariable compound adjective when describing things like travel packages or meal deals.
Adjective Agreement
When placed after the noun, it must match the noun's gender and number, such as in la livraison comprise.

La boisson est comprise dans le menu du jour.

Invariable Preposition
The phrase y compris never changes when it comes before the noun it introduces.

J'ai tout lu, y compris les petits caractères.

Noun Phrase Placement
If you place the word non before it, as in non compris, it means not included or excluded.

Les piles sont non comprises dans la boîte.

C'est un prix tout compris pour la semaine entière.

Il a vendu la maison, les meubles y compris.

Notice that in the last example, when y compris is placed after the noun, it is traditionally supposed to agree with the noun, although many modern French speakers keep it invariable in casual speech. However, in formal writing, you should write les meubles y compris (masculine plural agreement) or la voiture y comprise (feminine singular agreement) if it follows the noun. To avoid this complexity, simply place y compris before the noun!
The contexts in which you will encounter the word compris are vast and highly integrated into everyday French life. The most prominent and immediate place a language learner will see this word is in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Whenever you sit down at a cafe in Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, the menu will almost certainly state Prix nets, service compris. This phrase is a legal standard in France, assuring customers that the prices displayed are the final prices they will pay, with the service charge already factored into the cost. You will also hear it at hotels when inquiring about amenities. A receptionist might inform you that l'accès à la piscine est compris, meaning pool access is included in your stay. Beyond hospitality, the phrase y compris is extremely common in news broadcasts, journalistic writing, and professional environments. A news anchor might report on a new law affecting all citizens, y compris les retraités (including retirees). In a business meeting, a manager might outline a project budget, ensuring that all expenses, y compris les frais de déplacement (including travel expenses), are accounted for. Furthermore, in everyday conversational French, compris is used constantly to verify that communication is successful. Parents use it with children, teachers with students, and friends with each other. If someone explains a complicated plan to you, they will likely finish by asking C'est compris? to which you would respond C'est compris to confirm you understand.
Restaurant Menus
Look at the bottom of any French menu to find the phrase confirming that service is included.

L'addition indique que le service est compris.

News and Media
Journalists use y compris to specify groups affected by events or policies.

La tempête a touché toute la région, y compris la capitale.

Real Estate Listings
Apartment prices often specify if utilities or building fees are part of the total price.

Le loyer est de mille euros, charges comprises.

Tu dois rentrer avant minuit, c'est compris ?

Le billet de train est compris dans l'offre spéciale.

Whether you are navigating the intricate details of a rental contract, ordering a meal at a traditional French bistro, or simply trying to follow instructions from a local guide, recognizing and understanding this word will significantly enhance your comprehension and confidence. It bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and functional, everyday fluency in the French-speaking world.
Even advanced learners of French frequently make mistakes when using the word compris, primarily due to the complex rules surrounding its grammatical agreement. The single most common error is attempting to make the phrase y compris agree with the noun that follows it. Because learners are taught that adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify, it feels counterintuitive to write y compris les femmes instead of y comprises les femmes. However, as previously established, when y compris precedes the noun, it acts as an invariable preposition and must never take an e or an s. Another frequent mistake occurs when learners use the word as an adjective placed after the noun but forget to make the necessary agreements. For example, writing les taxes compris is incorrect because taxes is feminine plural, so the correct form is les taxes comprises. Pronunciation also poses a challenge for English speakers. The final s in the masculine singular form compris is completely silent. Many beginners mistakenly pronounce it, making it sound like the feminine form comprise. This pronunciation error can cause confusion in spoken French, as the listener might assume you are referring to a feminine noun. Additionally, learners often confuse compris with the word inclus. While they are often interchangeable in the context of being included in a price or package, y compris is uniquely used to mean including in a broader sense, whereas you would rarely use y inclus in modern spoken French.
False Agreement
Adding an e or s to y compris when it comes before a noun is a grammatical error.

Incorrect: y comprises les filles. Correct: y compris les filles.

Missing Agreement
Failing to add the feminine e or plural s when the word acts as an adjective after the noun.

Incorrect: la livraison compris. Correct: la livraison comprise.

Meaning Confusion
Using compris when you actually mean entendu (heard/agreed) in certain conversational contexts.

Bien compris is used for understanding, not just hearing.

J'ai acheté les livres, la livraison non comprise.

Il a invité ses amis, y compris sa soeur.

By paying close attention to these common pitfalls, particularly the rules regarding agreement and invariable prepositions, you can elevate your French from a beginner level to a much more natural and accurate standard. Practice writing out sentences with both masculine and feminine nouns to train your brain to recognize when the agreement is required and when it must be avoided.
Expanding your vocabulary means not only knowing the word compris, but also understanding its synonyms, alternatives, and related terms. The most direct synonym for compris in the sense of being included is inclus. These two words are often used interchangeably in commercial contexts. For example, you can say le petit-déjeuner est inclus just as correctly as you can say le petit-déjeuner est compris. However, inclus sounds slightly more formal and technical, whereas compris is the standard, everyday term you will hear on the street and in restaurants. Another alternative is the preposition avec, which simply means with. If you want to say that a meal comes with a drink, you could say le repas avec boisson instead of boisson comprise. While avec is simpler, it lacks the specific nuance of something being bundled into a single price or package. When expressing the concept of including in a sentence, such as including tax, you can use the active present participle incluant (including) instead of y compris. For example, le prix est de dix euros, incluant les taxes. This is perfectly correct but slightly less common in everyday speech than using y compris. For the meaning of understood, synonyms include entendu (understood/agreed) or d'accord (okay/agreed). If someone gives you an order, you might reply c'est entendu instead of c'est compris.
Inclus
The most direct synonym, often used in formal or technical documents to denote inclusion.

Le matériel est inclus, tout comme il est compris.

Incluant
The present participle of inclure, used similarly to the English word including.

Le tarif est de cent euros, incluant les frais, ou y compris les frais.

Entendu
An alternative when confirming that you have understood a statement or an instruction.

C'est entendu, le message est bien compris.

Le voyage est tout compris, c'est-à-dire tout inclus.

Il a pris le menu avec dessert compris.

Knowing these subtle differences allows you to choose the most appropriate word for the specific context, making your French sound richer, more precise, and highly idiomatic. Do not be afraid to mix and match these synonyms as you become more comfortable with the language, but always keep the grammatical rules of each specific word in mind.
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Examples by Level

1

Le service est compris.

The service is included.

Used as a masculine singular adjective matching 'le service'.

2

C'est compris ?

Is that understood?

Used as a past participle to confirm understanding.

3

Oui, c'est compris.

Yes, it is understood.

A fixed phrase for confirming comprehension.

4

Le petit-déjeuner est compris.

Breakfast is included.

Adjective modifying the masculine noun 'le petit-déjeuner'.

5

Le prix est tout compris.

The price is all-inclusive.

'Tout compris' is a common fixed expression.

6

J'ai compris.

I understood.

The passé composé of the verb 'comprendre'.

7

Tu as compris ?

Did you understand?

Basic question form in the past tense.

8

L'eau est comprise.

Water is included.

Feminine agreement 'comprise' because 'l'eau' is feminine.

1

Les charges sont comprises dans le loyer.

Utilities are included in the rent.

Feminine plural agreement for 'les charges'.

2

Tout le monde vient, y compris Paul.

Everyone is coming, including Paul.

'Y compris' acts as an invariable preposition here.

3

J'aime les fruits, y compris les pommes.

I like fruits, including apples.

Notice 'y compris' does not change for the plural noun.

4

La livraison n'est pas comprise.

Delivery is not included.

Negative form with feminine singular agreement.

5

Nous avons un voyage tout compris.

We have an all-inclusive trip.

Used as a compound adjective.

6

Les boissons ne sont pas comprises.

Drinks are not included.

Feminine plural agreement for 'les boissons'.

7

Il a tout mangé, y compris le dessert.

He ate everything, including the dessert.

Invariable preposition usage.

8

Est-ce que le billet est compris ?

Is the ticket included?

Question form with masculine singular agreement.

1

Le tarif est de cent euros, taxes non comprises.

The rate is one hundred euros, taxes not included.

'Non comprises' agrees with the feminine plural 'taxes'.

2

Tous les étudiants ont réussi, y compris moi.

All the students passed, including me.

Using 'y compris' with a stressed pronoun.

3

C'est un forfait tout compris pour la semaine.

It's an all-inclusive package for the week.

'Forfait tout compris' is a common commercial term.

4

La garantie est comprise dans le prix d'achat.

The warranty is included in the purchase price.

Feminine agreement with 'la garantie'.

5

Il faut lire le contrat, y compris les petits caractères.

You must read the contract, including the fine print.

'Y compris' remains invariable before plural nouns.

6

Le matériel fourni est compris dans l'abonnement.

The provided equipment is included in the subscription.

Masculine agreement with 'le matériel'.

7

J'ai travaillé tous les jours, y compris le dimanche.

I worked every day, including Sunday.

Used to emphasize an exception or extreme case.

8

La visite guidée est-elle comprise ?

Is the guided tour included?

Inversion question with feminine agreement.

1

Les nouvelles mesures affecteront tout le monde, y compris les retraités.

The new measures will affect everyone, including retirees.

Used in a formal context to specify a group.

2

Le budget total, y compris les frais annexes, s'élève à mille euros.

The total budget, including incidental expenses, amounts to one thousand euros.

Invariable preposition modifying a plural noun phrase.

3

C'est une offre exceptionnelle, frais de dossier compris.

It's an exceptional offer, administrative fees included.

Placed after the noun, it agrees (masculine plural).

4

La réforme a été critiquée par l'opposition, y compris par le maire.

The reform was criticized by the opposition, including by the mayor.

'Y compris' can be followed by another preposition like 'par'.

5

Le prix de vente s'entend toutes taxes comprises (TTC).

The selling price is understood to be all taxes included (VAT included).

The origin of the common abbreviation TTC.

6

Il a perdu tous ses biens, y compris sa maison familiale.

He lost all his belongings, including his family home.

Used to add emotional weight to a statement.

7

L'assurance couvre tous les dommages, bris de glace compris.

The insurance covers all damages, glass breakage included.

A common legal/insurance phrasing.

8

Nous devons examiner toutes les options, y compris les plus risquées.

We must examine all options, including the most risky ones.

Used with a superlative adjective phrase.

1

La directive européenne s'applique à tous les États membres, y compris ceux d'Europe de l'Est.

The European directive applies to all member states, including those in Eastern Europe.

Used in complex geopolitical and legal sentences.

2

L'auteur explore diverses thématiques, y compris l'aliénation dans la société moderne.

The author explores various themes, including alienation in modern society.

Used to introduce an abstract concept.

3

Le montant de l'indemnité, congés payés non compris, sera versé demain.

The compensation amount, paid leave not included, will be paid tomorrow.

Placed after the noun phrase, requiring plural agreement.

4

Cette technologie est désormais obsolète, y compris dans les pays en voie de développement.

This technology is now obsolete, including in developing countries.

Used to emphasize the universal nature of a statement.

5

Il a légué sa fortune à des œuvres caritatives, y compris à la fondation de recherche.

He bequeathed his fortune to charities, including to the research foundation.

'Y compris' followed by the preposition 'à'.

6

Le projet de loi a été adopté avec plusieurs amendements, y compris celui de l'opposition.

The bill was passed with several amendments, including the one from the opposition.

Used with a demonstrative pronoun 'celui'.

7

La restructuration implique des licenciements, y compris au niveau de la direction.

The restructuring involves layoffs, including at the management level.

Used with a prepositional phrase of location/level.

8

Le tarif s'entend hors taxes, les frais de port n'étant pas compris.

The rate is exclusive of tax, shipping costs not being included.

Used with a present participle for complex syntax.

1

L'ensemble de l'œuvre, y compris les esquisses inachevées, a été acquis par le musée.

The entire body of work, including the unfinished sketches, was acquired by the museum.

Invariable preposition interrupting the subject and verb.

2

Nonobstant les clauses restrictives, y compris celles relatives à la confidentialité, le contrat fut signé.

Notwithstanding the restrictive clauses, including those relating to confidentiality, the contract was signed.

High-register legal language combining multiple complex prepositions.

3

La sémantique du terme évolue, y compris dans les dictionnaires les plus prescriptifs.

The semantics of the term are evolving, including in the most prescriptive dictionaries.

Academic usage discussing linguistics.

4

Il a fallu réviser la nomenclature, les sous-espèces y comprises, pour satisfaire aux nouvelles normes.

The nomenclature had to be revised, subspecies included, to meet the new standards.

Rare, highly forma

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