Using le, la, les with weights and measures (definite articles)

Take the fastest path to fluent French

In French, the definite article (le, la, les) is used with weights and measures to mean per or a/an kilo, litre, etc

Learn how to use the French definite articles with weights and measures

Look at these examples:

Le pâté se vend à 1,25 € les 100 grammes.The pâté is sold at € 1.25 per 100 grams.

Les pommes coûtent 1,50 € le kilo.The apples cost € 1.50 per kilo

J’ai payé 2000 € la tonne.I paid € 2,000 per ton

Ça coûte 1,20 € le litre.It costs € 1.20 per litre.

Regarde ces huîtres ! Et elles coûtent seulement 10 € la douzaine !Look at these oysters! And they're only € 10 per dozen!

Note that a Euro is divided into 100 "centimes". Different countries use "cent" but since this means 100 in French, to avoid confusion, we continue to use the same word that was used before the adoption of the Euro.
Il le vend 3 € la livre.He sells it for € 3 per pound.
-> Note here that livre (pound) is a feminine word, unlike livre (book) which is masculine (See Some French nouns have different meanings depending on whether they're masculine or feminine)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Ça coûte 1,20 € le litre.It costs € 1.20 per litre.
Les pommes coûtent 1,50 € le kilo.The apples cost € 1.50 per kilo
Le pâté se vend à 1,25 € les 100 grammes.The pâté is sold at € 1.25 per 100 grams.
Regarde ces huîtres ! Et elles coûtent seulement 10 € la douzaine !Look at these oysters! And they're only € 10 per dozen!
Il le vend 3 € la livre.He sells it for € 3 per pound.
J’ai payé 2000 € la tonne.I paid € 2,000 per ton
Clever stuff happening!