French Phrase
Ça fait 15 $.
Meaning
Literally ‘That makes fifteen dollars.’ It is the standard way to state the total price of something in French‑speaking contexts that use the dollar sign, such as Québec or a bilingual shop.
When to use
Use this phrase when a cashier, server, or anyone else tells you the amount you have to pay. It works in stores, restaurants, markets, or any situation where you need to confirm the cost.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Çafait15$
Ça fait
The impersonal construction ‘ça fait’ uses the verb ‘faire’ to indicate the amount something costs or totals.
Currency placement
In French, the currency symbol is preceded by a non‑breaking space (e.g., 15 $) and the symbol follows the number.
Faire vs. Être
When talking about price, ‘faire’ (to make) is used, not ‘être’ (to be).
🗨In Conversation
Combien ça coûte ?
How much does it cost?
Ça fait 15 $.
That’s $15.
✕Common Mistakes
C’est 15 $.
‘C’est’ means ‘it is’; the correct impersonal verb for price is ‘ça fait’.
Ça fait 15$.
In French the currency symbol must be preceded by a space (non‑breaking).
Je fais 15 $.
Do not conjugate ‘faire’ for a subject; the phrase is always impersonal ‘ça fait’.
↔Alternatives
Le total est de 15 $.
The total is $15.
Ça revient à 15 $.
That comes to $15.
C’est 15 $.
It’s $15.
Cultural Tip
In France the price would be expressed in euros (e.g., 15 €). The ‘15 $’ format is typical of Québec, Swiss French, or any French‑speaking environment that uses dollars. Remember the non‑breaking space before the currency symbol; writing ‘15$’ is considered a typographic error in formal French.