French Phrase
C'est combien, l'ordonnance ?
Meaning
You are asking the pharmacist or the person selling the medication how much you will have to pay for the prescription. It is a direct, informal way to request the price.
When to use
Use this sentence at a pharmacy, a medical office, or any place where you need to know the cost of a prescription. It works best in casual conversation; in a very formal setting you might opt for a more polite formulation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estcombien,l'ordonnance?
C'est (cela est)
C'est is the contraction of cela est and is used to introduce a statement or question, especially when asking for a price.
Combien
Combien is an interrogative adverb meaning 'how much' and is placed after the verb or copula in price‑asking questions.
L' + noun (elision)
When a noun begins with a vowel or mute h, the definite article le/la elides to l' (e.g., l'ordonnance).
Punctuation in spoken French
A short pause is indicated by a comma in writing; in speech the pause separates the question from the noun.
🗨In Conversation
C'est combien, l'ordonnance ?
How much is the prescription?
Ça fait douze euros.
That will be twelve euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Combien est l'ordonnance ?
Combien is not used as a subject; it should follow the verb or copula, not precede it.
C'est combien l'ordonnance ?
A short pause (comma) is needed to separate the question from the noun; otherwise it sounds rushed.
C'est combien le ordonnance ?
The article must elide before a vowel: use l'ordonnance, not le ordonnance.
↔Alternatives
Quel est le prix de l'ordonnance ?
What is the price of the prescription?
Combien coûte l'ordonnance ?
How much does the prescription cost?
Ça coûte combien, l'ordonnance ?
How much does the prescription cost?
Cultural Tip
In France, most prescriptions are partially reimbursed by the national health insurance (Sécurité Sociale). The amount you actually pay can depend on your coverage, the medication, and whether you have a complementary mutuelle. When you ask the price, a polite "s'il vous plaît" before the question is always appreciated, especially in more formal pharmacies.