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A2 noun #1,500 most common 10 min read

kilo

Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips kilo in 30 Seconds

Explanation kilo in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'kilo' is one of the first 'shopping' words you learn. It is used in very simple sentences to express basic needs. You learn that it is masculine ('un kilo') and that it is followed by 'de'. At this stage, you use it primarily for food: 'un kilo de pommes', 'un kilo de pain'. You also learn to ask for prices: 'C'est combien le kilo ?'. The focus is on survival communication in a market or grocery store. You don't need to know the history of the metric system, just how to get your groceries without confusion. You might also learn it in the context of your own weight in a simple 'Je pèse...' sentence. It is a concrete, high-frequency noun that helps build your foundation in French quantities.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'kilo' in more varied contexts, such as following recipes or talking about health and travel. You learn to use fractions like 'un demi-kilo' (half a kilo) or 'un kilo et demi' (one and a half kilos). You also start to encounter it in travel scenarios, specifically regarding luggage weight limits at the airport. Your grammatical accuracy with 'de' should improve, and you start to understand the difference between 'kilo' and 'gramme' for more precise measurements. You might also use it to describe objects in your environment, such as the weight of a heavy book or a bag. The word becomes a tool for providing more detail in your descriptions of daily life and routines.

At the B1 level, 'kilo' is used in more complex discussions about lifestyle, health, and the environment. You might discuss the 'poids idéal' (ideal weight) or the environmental impact of transporting 'des milliers de kilos de marchandises'. You are comfortable using 'kilo' in various tenses, such as 'J'ai perdu cinq kilos l'année dernière'. You also understand more idiomatic or colloquial uses, and you can navigate more complex shopping interactions, such as asking for specific cuts of meat by weight. You start to see 'kilo' as part of a broader system of measurements and can compare weights more effectively using 'plus de' or 'moins de' (e.g., 'Ce sac pèse plus de dix kilos').

At the B2 level, you can use 'kilo' in technical or semi-professional contexts. You might read articles about nutrition, agriculture, or physics where 'kilo' (or 'kilogramme') is used to present data. You can participate in debates about the metric system versus imperial systems, or discuss the social pressures related to 'les kilos en trop' (extra weight). Your understanding of the word includes its role in compound units and its metaphorical use in literature or journalism to emphasize a heavy burden. You are expected to use the word with perfect grammatical precision, including the correct use of 'le kilo' for unit pricing and 'au kilo' for bulk purchasing concepts.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'kilo' and its place in French culture and history. You can discuss the revolutionary origins of the kilogram and its importance in the standardization of French society. You might encounter the word in complex literary texts where weight is used symbolically. You are also aware of very specific registers, from the highly formal scientific 'kilogramme-étalon' (prototype kilogram) to very informal slang. You can use the word in sophisticated arguments about commerce, health policy, or scientific advancement. Your vocabulary around weight is extensive, allowing you to use 'kilo' alongside terms like 'masse volumique', 'pesanteur', and 'densité' with ease.

At the C2 level, 'kilo' is a word you use with the effortless precision of a native speaker. You understand its subtle implications in various discourses, from the precision of a laboratory to the rough-and-tumble of a wholesale market (Rungis). You can interpret and use the word in highly specialized fields like engineering, astrophysics, or advanced gastronomy. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and historical references related to weight and measurement in France. Whether you are writing a technical report on logistics or a philosophical essay on the 'weight' of existence, you use 'kilo' and its related concepts with absolute mastery of register, tone, and context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

kilo in 30 Seconds

Kilo is the standard unit of mass in French, equal to 1000 grams.
It is a masculine noun (un kilo) and usually takes 'de' before another noun.
Commonly used for food shopping, body weight, and luggage measurement.
It is an informal but universally accepted shortening of 'kilogramme'.

The word kilo is a fundamental unit of measurement in the French-speaking world, representing the standard metric unit of mass. In linguistic terms, it is an apocope—a shortened form of the word kilogramme. While 'kilogramme' is the formal scientific term, 'kilo' is the ubiquitous everyday term used in markets, kitchens, and gyms across the Francophonie. It signifies exactly one thousand grams (1,000g). Understanding 'kilo' is essential because France, having birthed the metric system during the Revolution, relies entirely on it for commerce and daily life.

Grammatical Gender: It is a masculine noun: un kilo, le kilo.
Quantity Expression: When followed by a noun, it requires the preposition 'de': un kilo de sucre.

Je voudrais un kilo de carottes, s'il vous plaît.

Historically, the kilo replaced a variety of local weights, providing a universal standard that facilitated trade. In a modern context, if you go to a 'boulangerie' or a 'marché', you will hear this word constantly. It is the baseline for pricing produce, meat, and dry goods. Beyond physical objects, 'kilo' is also used when discussing human weight, though 'poids' is the noun for weight itself. For example, one might say 'J'ai perdu trois kilos' (I lost three kilos).

Ce sac pèse au moins dix kilos.

Plural Form: The plural is kilos (pronounced the same as the singular).

Combien de kilos de farine faut-il pour cette recette ?

The word also appears in various compound units like 'kilomètre' or 'kilowatt', but when used alone, it exclusively refers to mass. In the digital age, 'kilo' can sometimes refer to 'kilooctet' (kilobyte) in very specific technical slang, but this is rare compared to the physical measurement. The importance of the kilo in French culture cannot be overstated; it is the heartbeat of the kitchen and the market stall. Whether you are buying 'un kilo de cerises' in the summer or checking your 'kilos' on a scale, the word is indispensable.

Le prix est de deux euros le kilo.

Elle a acheté un demi-kilo de beurre.

Metric Context: 1 kilo = 1000 grammes = 2 livres (approximately, in old French terms).

Using the word kilo correctly involves mastering the 'noun of quantity' structure. In French, when you specify a quantity like a kilo, a litre, or a gram, you must follow it with the preposition de (or d' before a vowel). This is a common stumbling block for English speakers who might want to say 'un kilo pommes'—this is incorrect. It must be 'un kilo de pommes'. Even if the following noun is plural, the 'de' remains 'de' (not 'des').

Standard Structure: [Number] + kilo(s) + de + [Noun]

Donnez-moi deux kilos de pommes de terre.

Another common usage is expressing the price per unit. In French, we use the definite article 'le' to mean 'per' when talking about weight. 'Cinq euros le kilo' means five euros per kilo. This is more common than saying 'par kilo' in a shopping context. If you are at a deli counter, you might ask for 'un demi-kilo' (half a kilo) or 'cinq cents grammes' (500 grams), though 'une livre' is an older term still used by some to mean 500g.

In health and fitness contexts, 'kilo' is used with verbs like 'peser' (to weigh), 'prendre' (to gain), and 'perdre' (to lose). Unlike in the US or UK where stones or pounds might be used, the French strictly use kilos. 'Je pèse 70 kilos' is the standard way to state one's weight. Note that the 's' in 'kilos' is silent in speech, but essential in writing.

Elle a pris quelques kilos pendant les vacances.

Common Verbs: Peser (to weigh), Acheter (to buy), Vendre (to sell), Porter (to carry).

In more formal or scientific writing, you should use the full word 'kilogramme'. However, in any context involving food, luggage, or body weight, 'kilo' is the standard. If you are at the airport, you might hear: 'Votre valise dépasse le poids autorisé de deux kilos.' (Your suitcase exceeds the allowed weight by two kilos). This highlights how 'kilo' functions as a precise measure even in semi-formal environments like airline check-ins.

Ce paquet fait un kilo tout rond.

Finally, consider the word 'kilo' in the context of 'le kilo'. When you see a sign in a French market saying '3€ le kilo', it is a shorthand for '3€ pour un kilo'. This 'le' is crucial for understanding price tags. You might also encounter 'au kilo', meaning 'by the kilo', as in 'Vendre des tomates au kilo' (Selling tomatoes by the kilo).

C'est moins cher si vous achetez au kilo.

Abbreviations: The written abbreviation is 'kg', which is used in recipes and on packaging.

The word kilo is most frequently heard in commercial and domestic settings. If you step into a French 'marché en plein air' (open-air market), the air is filled with vendors shouting prices 'au kilo'. It is the primary unit for buying fruits, vegetables, meat, and cheese. You will hear customers saying, 'Je vais prendre un kilo de tomates' or 'Donnez-moi un demi-kilo de ce fromage'. The market is the true home of the 'kilo', where it represents the tangible weight of fresh produce.

Au marché : 'Elles sont belles mes fraises, trois euros le kilo !'

In the kitchen, 'kilo' is a staple of recipes. While many recipes use grams (e.g., 250g, 500g), larger quantities for things like jam-making or roasting often use the kilo. A French grandmother might say, 'Pour faire de la confiture, il faut un kilo de fruits pour un kilo de sucre.' This 1:1 ratio is a classic culinary rule. You'll also hear it in the context of 'pâtisserie', especially when buying flour or sugar in bulk.

Another common environment is the doctor's office or the gym. Health discussions in France revolve around 'kilos'. A doctor might advise a patient, 'Il serait bon de perdre quelques kilos pour votre santé.' Similarly, in sports, weight classes for boxing or judo are defined by kilos. You'll hear athletes talk about 'faire le poids' (making weight) or 'être dans la catégorie des moins de 70 kilos'.

À la salle de sport : 'Je soulève cinquante kilos au développé couché.'

Travel is another key area. Airports are where the 'kilo' becomes a source of stress. 'Le poids maximum pour un bagage en soute est de vingt-trois kilos.' Hearing the word 'kilo' at the check-in counter often precedes a discussion about excess baggage fees. Even in postal services, the cost of sending a 'colis' (package) is determined by its weight in kilos.

Travel Context: Bagage en soute (checked bag), excédent de bagage (excess baggage).

Finally, you'll hear it in news reports concerning agriculture or the economy. 'La production de blé a chuté de plusieurs milliers de kilos cette année.' While 'tonnes' is used for very large amounts, 'kilos' remains the human-scale reference point for productivity and consumption. It is a word that bridges the gap between the scientific metric system and the everyday reality of French life.

Le facteur a livré un colis de deux kilos ce matin.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is the gender of the word. Because many units of measurement in other languages might be neutral or feminine, students often mistakenly say 'une kilo'. Remember: kilo is masculine. It is always 'un kilo'. This applies even if you are weighing something feminine like 'une carotte' or 'une valise'. The gender of the unit is independent of the gender of the object being weighed.

Incorrect: Une kilo de sucre (Wrong gender)
Correct: Un kilo de sucre (Correct gender)

Another major mistake is forgetting the preposition de. In English, we say 'a kilo of apples', but in casual speech, some might drop the 'of'. In French, you cannot drop the 'de'. Saying 'un kilo pommes' is a significant grammatical error. Furthermore, learners often try to use 'des' because 'pommes' is plural. However, after a noun of quantity, 'de' is used without the article. So, 'un kilo de pommes' is correct, while 'un kilo des pommes' is usually incorrect unless referring to specific apples already mentioned.

Faites attention : 'un kilo de farine' et non 'un kilo farine'.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. The 'o' in 'kilo' is a clear, closed 'o' sound [kilo]. Some learners might try to nasalize it or change the 'i' sound. Keep it simple: 'kee-lo'. Also, remember that the 's' in 'kilos' (plural) is silent. You should not pronounce it even if the next word starts with a vowel, as 'kilos' is not typically part of a liaison in standard speech.

J'ai acheté trois kilos d'oranges. (Pronounce: 'trois kilo d'oranges')

Finally, don't confuse 'kilo' with 'kilomètre'. While 'kilo' is the prefix for 1000, in French, if you say 'J'ai couru cinq kilos', people will be very confused. You must say 'cinq kilomètres' or 'cinq bornes' (slang). 'Kilo' on its own always refers to weight (mass), never distance. This is a common mistake for beginners who are used to 'k' or 'kilo' being a generic prefix for 1000 in various contexts.

Confusion: Kilo = Weight only. Kilomètre = Distance. Kilooctet = Data.

The word kilo exists within a family of metric measurements. The most direct relative is le gramme. Since one kilo equals one thousand grammes, you will often see these two used together on packaging. For smaller quantities, especially in recipes, you might see le décagramme (10g) or l'hectogramme (100g), though these are much less common in French than in Italian, for example. In France, people usually jump straight from 'grammes' to 'kilos'.

Kilo vs. Livre: A 'livre' is an old term for 500 grams. You might still hear 'une livre de beurre' (half a kilo).
Kilo vs. Tonne: One 'tonne' is 1,000 kilos. Used for cars, industrial loads, and large-scale agriculture.

Je préfère acheter une livre de café plutôt qu'un kilo.

Another word to know is le poids (weight). While 'kilo' is the unit, 'poids' is the concept. 'Quel est le poids de ce colis ?' (What is the weight of this package?). You also have la masse (mass), which is the scientific term. In everyday life, 'poids' and 'kilo' are the dominant terms. If something is very heavy, you might say it weighs 'une tonne' metaphorically, even if it's just a few kilos.

When comparing 'kilo' to other units, it's helpful to look at volume. Le litre is the equivalent for liquids. Interestingly, one kilo of water is exactly one litre of water. This makes the metric system very intuitive. If you have a 'bouteille d'un litre', you know it weighs roughly 'un kilo'. This relationship is a cornerstone of French science and education.

Un litre d'eau pèse environ un kilo.

Peser vs. Mesurer: You 'pèse' (weigh) kilos, but you 'mesure' (measure) mètres.

Lastly, consider the prefix 'kilo-' in other words like kilohertz or kilojoule. While these are technical, they reinforce the idea that 'kilo' always means 'thousand'. However, only in the case of mass has the prefix become a noun in its own right. You would never call a 'kilomètre' a 'kilo'. This unique status of the 'kilo' as a standalone noun highlights its central role in the physical world of the French speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Nouns of quantity

Preposition 'de'

Definite articles for unit pricing

Plural of nouns ending in -o

Masculine/Feminine agreement

Examples by Level

Je voudrais un kilo d'oranges.

I would like a kilo of oranges.

Use 'un' because kilo is masculine.

Le sucre coûte un euro le kilo.

Sugar costs one euro per kilo.

'Le kilo' means 'per kilo'.

Donnez-moi un kilo de riz, s'il vous plaît.

Give me a kilo of rice, please.

Don't forget the 'de' after kilo.

C'est un kilo de pommes rouges.

It is a kilo of red apples.

Kilo is followed by 'de' even with plural nouns.

Un kilo, c'est assez ?

Is one kilo enough?

Simple question using kilo.

J'achète un kilo de bananes.

I am buying a kilo of bananas.

Present tense with kilo.

Voici votre kilo de carottes.

Here is your kilo of carrots.

Possessive 'votre' with kilo.

Le kilo de tomates est cher.

The kilo of tomatoes is expensive.

Subject-verb agreement with 'le kilo'.

Il faut un demi-kilo de farine pour le gâteau.

You need half a kilo of flour for the cake.

'Demi-kilo' is a common fraction.

Ma valise pèse vingt kilos.

My suitcase weighs twenty kilos.

Plural 'kilos' ends with a silent 's'.

J'ai pris deux kilos pendant les fêtes.

I gained two kilos during the holidays.

'Prendre des kilos' means to gain weight.

Pouvez-vous peser ce kilo de raisins ?

Can you weigh this kilo of grapes?

Verb 'peser' (to weigh).

Ce dictionnaire fait au moins un kilo.

This dictionary weighs at least a kilo.

'Faire' can mean 'to weigh' informally.

Je vais prendre un kilo et demi de viande.

I will take one and a half kilos of meat.

'Et demi' follows the noun.

Il y a un kilo de différence entre les deux.

There is a one-kilo difference between the two.

Using kilo to describe difference.

Le paquet pèse moins d'un kilo.

The package weighs less than a kilo.

'Moins de' used for comparison.

Le poids maximum autorisé est de 23 kilos.

The maximum weight allowed is 23 kilos.

Formal context for weight.

Elle a perdu cinq kilos grâce à son régime.

She lost five kilos thanks to her diet.

'Perdre des kilos' (to lose weight).

Nous achetons souvent nos légumes au kilo.

We often buy our vegetables by the kilo.

'Au kilo' means 'by the kilo'.

Un kilo de plumes pèse autant qu'un kilo de plomb.

A kilo of feathers weighs as much as a kilo of lead.

Comparison of mass.

Le prix au kilo a augmenté cette semaine.

The price per kilo has increased this week.

'Prix au kilo' is a standard business term.

Il a porté un sac de dix kilos sur tout le trajet.

He carried a ten-kilo bag the whole way.

Describing physical effort.

Combien de kilos de peinture faut-il pour ce mur ?

How many kilos of paint are needed for this wall?

Asking for quantity.

Ce bébé pèse déjà quatre kilos.

This baby already weighs four kilos.

Describing growth.

La production annuelle se compte en millions de kilos.

Annual production is counted in millions of kilos.

Large scale quantities.

L'excédent de bagage coûte dix euros par kilo supplémentaire.

Excess baggage costs ten euros per extra kilo.

'Par kilo' used in formal pricing.

Il est difficile de perdre les derniers kilos superflus.

It is difficult to lose the last few extra kilos.

Abstract health discussion.

Le kilo est l'unité de base de la masse dans le système international.

The kilo is the base unit of mass in the international system.

Scientific definition.

Vendre en gros permet de réduire le prix au kilo.

Selling in bulk allows for a reduction in the price per kilo.

Economic context.

Chaque kilo de CO2 économisé compte pour la planète.

Every kilo of CO2 saved counts for the planet.

Metaphorical/Scientific mass.

La recette demande une précision au gramme près, pas au kilo.

The recipe requires precision to the gram, not the kilo.

Contrasting units.

Il a soulevé cent kilos lors de la compétition.

He lifted a hundred kilos during the competition.

Sports context.

La définition du kilo a été modifiée pour reposer sur des constantes physiques.

The definition of the kilo was modified to rely on physical constants.

Scientific history.

Porter le poids des ans est un kilo que l'on ne peut peser.

Carrying the weight of years is a kilo that cannot be weighed.

Literary metaphor.

Le rendement à l'hectare se mesure en milliers de kilos de grain.

Yield per hectare is measured in thousands of kilos of grain.

Agricultural technicality.

L'administration impose des normes strictes sur le poids au kilo des emballages.

The administration imposes strict standards on the weight per kilo of packaging.

Regulatory language.

Il traîne ses kilos comme un fardeau psychologique.

He drags his kilos like a psychological burden.

Psychological metaphor.

La cargaison de plusieurs kilos de stupéfiants a été saisie.

The cargo of several kilos of narcotics was seized.

Crime/Legal context.

La précision du kilo-étalon était autrefois la référence mondiale.

The precision of the prototype kilo was once the world reference.

Historical science.

On ne peut pas comparer un kilo de culture à un kilo d'or.

One cannot compare a kilo of culture to a kilo of gold.

Philosophical comparison.

L'invariance de la masse, bien que mesurée en kilos, est remise en question à l'échelle quantique.

The invariance of mass, though measured in kilos, is questioned at the quantum scale.

Theoretical physics.

Chaque kilo de minerai extrait laisse une empreinte indélébile sur le paysage.

Every kilo of ore extracted leaves an indelible mark on the landscape.

Environmental philosophy.

La sémantique du mot 'kilo' occulte souvent la complexité de la mesure de masse.

The semantics of the word 'kilo' often obscure the complexity of mass measurement.

Linguistic analysis.

Dans l'apesanteur, le kilo perd sa signification intuitive de poids.

In weightlessness, the kilo loses its intuitive meaning of weight.

Scientific abstraction.

L'économie de marché fluctue au gré du prix du kilo de matières premières.

The market economy fluctuates according to the price of the kilo of raw materials.

Macroeconomic analysis.

Le kilo de chair exigé par Shylock est une métaphore de la dette absolue.

The pound (kilo) of flesh demanded by Shylock is a metaphor for absolute debt.

Literary allusion (adapted).

La métrologie moderne cherche à dématérialiser totalement le kilo.

Modern metrology seeks to totally dematerialize the kilo.

Advanced technical discourse.

Sous le joug de la dictature, chaque kilo de pain devenait un instrument de contrôle.

Under the yoke of dictatorship, every kilo of bread became an instrument of control.

Political history.

Common Collocations

un kilo de

peser un kilo

perdre des kilos

prendre des kilos

le prix au kilo

un demi-kilo

quelques kilos

dix kilos

trop de kilos

kilo superflu

Common Phrases

C'est combien le kilo ?

Un kilo, s'il vous plaît.

Au kilo

Faire le poids

Perdre du poids

Prendre du poids

Vendre au kilo

Acheter au kilo

Un kilo tout rond

Le dernier kilo

Often Confused With

kilo vs kilomètre

kilo vs kilooctet

kilo vs litre

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir des kilos en trop"

"Vendre au kilo (to sell in bulk/cheaply)"

"Peser ses mots (related to weight)"

"Faire le poids (to be up to the task)"

"Deux poids, deux mesures (double standards)"

"Prendre un kilo rien qu'en regardant (to gain weight easily)"

"Lâcher du lest (to give in, related to weight)"

"Le poids mort"

"Un argument de poids"

"En valoir le pesant d'or"

Easily Confused

kilo vs kilomètre

Measures distance, not mass.

kilo vs litre

Measures volume, though 1L of water = 1kg.

kilo vs livre

Old term for 500g, also means 'book'.

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

kilogramme

kilomètre

kilolitre

kilowatt

kilooctet

How to Use It

note

Use 'kilo' for weight, never for distance.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'une kilo' (should be un kilo).
Saying 'un kilo pommes' (should be un kilo de pommes).
Using 'kilo' for distance.
Pronouncing the 's' in 'kilos'.
Confusing 'livre' (500g) with 'kilo' (1000g).

Tips

The 'De' Rule

Always use 'de' after kilo when followed by a noun.

Market Etiquette

Ask for 'un kilo' rather than pointing and saying 'this'.

Fractions

Learn 'un demi-kilo' (500g) and 'un quart de kilo' (250g).

Silent S

Ignore the 's' in 'kilos' when speaking.

Abbreviation

Use 'kg' in recipes and notes.

Price Tags

'€/kg' is the standard label you will see.

Body Weight

Use the verb 'peser' with kilos: 'Je pèse 60 kilos'.

Luggage

Check your 'kilos' before going to the airport.

Precision

For baking, use grams; for bulk, use kilos.

Water Weight

Remember 1 Litre = 1 Kilo for easy estimation.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek 'khilioi' meaning thousand. Adopted during the French Revolution for the metric system.

Cultural Context

Weight loss is discussed in kilos, never stones or pounds.

Prices are almost always listed per kilo.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Combien pèse votre valise ?"

"Quel est le prix du kilo de tomates ?"

"Avez-vous perdu des kilos récemment ?"

"Combien de kilos de farine faut-il ?"

"Est-ce que ce sac fait plus d'un kilo ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre visite au marché.

Qu'est-ce que vous achetez au kilo ?

Parlez de vos objectifs de santé en kilos.

Imaginez une recette avec un kilo d'un ingrédient.

Votre valise fait 30 kilos. Que retirez-vous ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is always masculine: un kilo.

No, it should be 'un kilo de pommes'.

Kilo is the common short form; kilogramme is formal.

There are exactly 1,000 grams in a kilo.

No, the 's' is silent.

No, in French 'kilo' only refers to weight.

It means 'per kilo'.

No, 'une livre' is 500 grams, so half a kilo.

Un demi-kilo.

Yes, it is the standard unit for human weight.