French Phrase
Ça coûte combien, une caution ?
Meaning
A casual way to ask the price of a security deposit, typically when renting an apartment, a car, or borrowing equipment. The speaker expects a numeric answer (e.g., “trois cent euros”).
When to use
Use this sentence in informal contexts—talking with a landlord, a rental agency, or a friend who is lending you something. It’s perfect for spoken French; in formal writing you might prefer “Quel est le montant de la caution ?”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Çacoûtecombien,unecaution?
Ça
Informal demonstrative pronoun meaning “that/it”. Used here to refer to the cost.
coûte
Third‑person singular of the verb coûter (to cost). Conjugated in the present indicative.
combien
Interrogative adverb meaning “how much”. Placed after the verb in informal questions.
une caution
Feminine noun meaning “security deposit”. The article “une” marks it as a singular, countable item.
Punctuation
A comma before the noun is optional in spoken French; it mirrors a short pause.
🗨In Conversation
Ça coûte combien, une caution ?
How much does the deposit cost?
C’est trois cent euros, soit un mois de loyer.
It’s three hundred euros, which is one month’s rent.
✕Common Mistakes
Ça coute combien, une caution ?
Missing circumflex on the ‘u’; the correct spelling is ‘coûte’.
Ça coûte combien?, une caution ?
Do not add a question mark after ‘combien’ when the whole sentence already ends with one; the punctuation is placed at the end of the sentence.
Ça coûte combien, une caution ? (when talking about a warning)
‘Caution’ can also mean ‘warning’; make sure the context is about a deposit, not a cautionary note.
↔Alternatives
Quel est le montant de la caution ?
What is the amount of the deposit?
Combien faut‑il payer pour la caution ?
How much does one have to pay for the deposit?
C’est combien la caution ?
How much is the deposit?
Cultural Tip
In France, a security deposit (caution) for a rental is usually limited to one month’s rent for an unfurnished apartment and two months for a furnished one, as stipulated by the 2014 law on residential leases. Landlords must return the deposit within two months after the tenant leaves, provided there’s no damage. Knowing the typical amount helps you negotiate and avoid surprises.