centime

Everyday

1. (money) A small coin and unit of money worth one hundredth of a franc, used in France before the euro, and still used in Switzerland (one hundredth of a Swiss franc) and some African countries. tree →
2. (French) In France people still say «centime» for a euro cent. tree →

In the lessons

In French lessons centimes are like pennies or cents: 100 centimes make one franc (or one euro, in everyday French speech). In maths, money problems with centimes work like cents: 50 centimes = half a franc.

Examples

• In Switzerland, one franc is a hundred centimes. tree →
• The bread cost two euros and fifty centimes. tree →
• A centime is like a cent or a penny. tree →
• Grandpa has old French centime coins from his trip. tree →
• In maths: 250 centimes make 2.50 francs. tree →
• «Ça coûte cinquante centimes» means «It costs fifty cents.» tree →

Note

French word used in English: say «SON-teem». 1 centime = 1/100 of a franc. In the eurozone the official word is «cent», but French people say «centime». Do not confuse with «centimetre» (a length).