
Learning the French language can be a fun and rewarding experience, and mastering the pound sign is a great place to start.
The pound sign, also known as the livre symbol, is used to indicate a unit of currency in France.
In French, the word for pound is "livre", which is a bit different from the English word.
To use the pound sign in French, you can type "£" on your keyboard, just like in English.
What is 'Pound' in French?
There are several phrases that use the word "pound" in French, and it's not always referring to the currency. For example, the idiom "demand pound of flesh" translates to "exiger le dû impitoyablement", which means to demand payment or compensation with ruthless severity.
The word "pound" is also used to refer to different currencies, including the British pound, which has several equivalents in French such as "livre sterling", "gb pound", and "british pound".
Here are some of the different forms of the British pound in French:
- livre sterling
- gb pound
- british pound
Definition

The term "pound" in French is actually called "livre". In French, the word "livre" is used to refer to the unit of currency, but it's also used in other contexts, such as the livre (book) and the livre (pound as a unit of weight).
The livre has a long history in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was used as the primary unit of currency in France from the 13th to the 18th century.
Consider reading: What Currency Is Used in Prague Czech Republic
Synonyms
In French, the word "pound" can be replaced with several synonyms, each with its own nuance.
The most common synonym for "pound" in French is "livre". This term is often used in informal contexts and is widely understood.
Another synonym is "livre sterling", which specifically refers to the British pound.
The French also use "livre anglaise" to refer to the British pound, particularly in formal or technical contexts.
"Libre" can also mean "pound" in French, but it's less common and often used in specific contexts, such as in cooking or medicine.
Curious to learn more? Check out: British Pound Currency History

In some cases, "livre" can be used to refer to a unit of weight, but in the context of currency, "livre" is the preferred term.
The French language has a rich vocabulary for describing units of currency, and "livre" is just one of the many options available.
In informal conversations, you might hear "livre" used to refer to the British pound, but in formal settings, it's best to use "livre sterling" to avoid confusion.
Overall, the choice of synonym depends on the context and the level of formality required.
If this caught your attention, see: What Is the Currency for Paris France
Phrases with 'Pound'
The phrase "pound" has several variations in French, and understanding these nuances can be helpful when communicating in French.
There are 7 phrases that use the word "pound", including "demand pound of flesh", which translates to "exiger le dû impitoyablement".
"GB pound" is another common phrase, which translates to "livre sterling".
Interestingly, "pound sterling" and "british pound" are also used interchangeably with "livre sterling".
In addition to these, there are also "green pound" and "Maltese pound", which translate to "livre verte" and "livre maltaise" respectively.
Here are the 7 phrases with "pound" in French, along with their translations:
- demand pound of flesh - exiger le dû impitoyablement
- gb pound - livre sterling
- gb pound sterling - livre sterling
- pound sterling - livre sterling
- british pound - livre sterling
- green pound - livre verte
- Maltese pound - livre maltaise
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the verb to pound in French?
The verb "to pound" in French is "battre", which can be translated to "my heart was pounding" as "J'avais le cœur qui battait
Sources
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-french/pound
- https://www.online-translator.com/translation/english-french/pound
- https://en.pons.com/translate/english-french/pound
- https://www.linguee.com/english-french/translation/pounds+sterling.html
- https://www.linguee.com/english-french/translation/pound.html
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