French Phrase
Tu veux gagner combien ?
Meaning
Literally, 'You want to earn how much?' It is used to ask someone how much money they hope to make, usually in a casual conversation. The phrase is informal and assumes the speaker knows the listener well enough to use 'tu'.
When to use
Use this sentence when discussing salaries, freelance rates, or any situation where you want to know the amount of money someone aims to earn. It works best in informal settings such as among friends, coworkers of the same age, or in a relaxed interview atmosphere.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tuveuxgagnercombien?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
Informal singular 'you', used with friends, family, or peers.
Verb vouloir (veux)
Present tense of 'vouloir' (to want). Conjugated as 'veux' with 'tu'.
Infinitive after vouloir (gagner)
When 'vouloir' is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive.
Interrogative adverb (combien)
Means 'how much' and can be placed at the end of an informal spoken question.
Question intonation
In spoken French, a rising intonation at the end signals a question without needing inversion.
🗨In Conversation
Tu veux gagner combien ?
How much do you want to earn?
J'aimerais toucher 3 000 € par mois.
I'd like to earn €3,000 a month.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu veux gagner combien de ?
After 'vouloir' you don't need 'de' because 'combien' already asks for the amount.
Tu veux gagner combien ?
In very formal settings this phrasing can sound too blunt; use inversion or a more polite structure.
Tu veux recevoir combien ?
If you mean 'receive' a salary rather than 'earn' by work, 'recevoir' or 'toucher' is more appropriate.
↔Alternatives
Combien veux‑tu gagner ?
How much do you want to earn?
Quel salaire souhaites‑tu ?
What salary do you wish for?
Tu vises quel revenu ?
What income are you aiming for?
Cultural Tip
Talking about money can be sensitive in French culture. In formal contexts (e.g., a job interview), it's safer to phrase the question more politely, such as 'Quel salaire espérez‑vous obtenir ?'. The informal 'Tu veux gagner combien ?' is perfectly natural among peers, but avoid it with strangers or superiors unless you have a close rapport.