French Phrase
Le plafond au distributeur, c'est cinq cents dollars.
Meaning
This sentence states the maximum amount you can withdraw from an ATM: five hundred dollars. It uses the word "plafond" metaphorically to refer to a limit.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing banking limits, especially while traveling or setting up a new account. It’s handy when you need to confirm how much cash you can take out in a single transaction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Leplafondaudistributeur,c'estcinqcentsdollars
Le + noun
Use the definite article "Le" for masculine singular nouns like "plafond" (limit/ceiling).
au = à + le
"au" is the contraction of "à le" and means "at the" or "to the".
c'est
"c'est" means "it is" and is used before a noun or a noun phrase.
cinq cents
When "cent" is multiplied and not directly followed by a noun, it takes an "s" (cinq cents). When followed by a noun, the "s" is optional but often kept in formal writing.
dollars (currency)
Currency names are masculine in French, so "dollars" stays unchanged.
🗨In Conversation
Quel est le plafond au distributeur ici ?
What’s the ATM limit here?
Le plafond au distributeur, c'est cinq cents dollars.
The ATM limit is five hundred dollars.
✕Common Mistakes
Le plafond au distributeur, c'est cinq cent dollars.
When "cent" is multiplied and not followed directly by a noun, it must be plural "cents".
Le plafond du distributeur, c'est cinq cents dollars.
The correct preposition is "au" (à le). "du" would mean "of the" and changes the meaning.
Le plafond au distributeur, il est cinq cents dollars.
For emphasis you could also use "il est", but "c'est" is the natural choice before a noun phrase.
↔Alternatives
Le montant maximum que l'on peut retirer au distributeur, c'est cinq cents dollars.
The maximum amount you can withdraw at the ATM is five hundred dollars.
On ne peut retirer plus de cinq cents dollars au distributeur.
You can’t withdraw more than five hundred dollars at the ATM.
Le plafond de retrait au distributeur est de cinq cents dollars.
The withdrawal limit at the ATM is five hundred dollars.
Cultural Tip
In France and many francophone countries, banks set daily withdrawal limits that often range from 300 to 500 euros. The limit can differ between card types and may be adjusted on request. When traveling abroad, always check both your home bank’s and the local bank’s limits, as they can affect how much cash you can access in one go.