French Phrase
Tu seras combien ?
Meaning
Literally, “You will be how much?” In everyday speech it means “How much will it cost you?” or “What will you charge?” It is an informal way to ask the price of a service, a meal, a ticket, etc., when the speaker expects the other person to be the one paying or setting the price.
When to use
Use this phrase with friends, classmates, or anyone you address with ‘tu’. It works best when you’re discussing a future transaction – for example, a dinner you’ll share, a ride you’ll give, or a freelance job you’ll do. Avoid it in formal settings; opt for “Quel sera le prix ?” or “Combien cela coûtera‑t‑il ?”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tuserascombien?
Tu (subject pronoun)
Informal second‑person singular pronoun used in familiar contexts.
seras (future of être)
Future simple of the verb être; here it works as a polite way to ask about a future price or cost.
combien (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about quantity or price; placed after the verb in informal spoken French.
Question mark without inversion
In spoken French the inversion is often dropped; the intonation rises at the end to signal a question.
🗨In Conversation
Tu seras combien ?
How much will you charge?
Je serai 20 €, tout compris.
I'll be 20 euros, all inclusive.
✕Common Mistakes
Combien tu seras ?
In spoken French the inversion is dropped; the correct order is “Tu seras combien ?”.
Seras tu combien ?
The verb must stay before the interrogative adverb; “seras‑tu combien ?” sounds unnatural.
Tu coûteras combien ?
While grammatically correct, it changes the nuance; “tu seras combien” is idiomatic for informal price negotiation.
↔Alternatives
Ça coûtera combien ?
How much will it cost?
Quel sera le prix ?
What will the price be?
Combien ça fera ?
How much will that be?
Cultural Tip
The construction “Tu seras combien ?” is very colloquial and relies on the future tense of être, which sounds a bit softer than the more direct “Ça coûtera combien ?”. It’s common among young people in France, especially when negotiating informal services (e.g., a shared taxi, a home‑cooked meal, or a freelance gig). In a business email or with strangers, switch to the more formal “Quel sera le prix ?”.