What does moins in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word moins in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use moins in French.

The word moins in French means less, less ... than, least, the least, the least + [adjective], less, minus, to, minus, minus, unless, short of, under, unless, before long, before too long, sooner or later, at least, at least, have a screw loose, not be all there, much less, far less, much less, far less, To say the least!, even less so given (that), in a not too distant future, less, less and less, less and less + [uncountable], half as much, half as many, in half the time, at least, in order of priority, less, in no time, in no time at all, in no time, in no time at all, no sooner said than done, even less, let alone, even less than, not be as stupid as you look, 18 film, 18-rated film, [x] times less, It was a close call!, the fact remains that, nevertheless, you learn something new every day, as little time as possible, the least bad, the least worst, the least that can be said, the least I could do, the least I can do, not as well, not so well, quarter to, quarter to a quarter to, not as bad as, nobody, depreciation, loss, half that, half that number, stop you thinking, keep your own counsel, no more, no less, no more, no less, no less + [adj], just as + [adj], at least as + [adj], equally famous, Keep your voice down!, speak more quietly, talk more quietly, negatron, not in the least, at least, more or less, more than yesterday, less than tomorrow, to say the least, for the young and the not so young, nothing is less certain, minus sign, then at least, three times less + [uncountable], a third of the time, a bit less, a little bit less, once less, one time less. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word moins

less

adverbe (moindre, plus petit)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il pleut moins aujourd'hui.
It's raining less today.

less ... than

adverbe (comparatif d'infériorité)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Sa voiture est moins puissante que la mienne.
His car is less powerful than mine.

least, the least

locution adverbiale (de la façon la moins élevée)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
C'est le parfum que j'aime le moins.
It is the fragrance I like least.

the least + [adjective]

locution adverbiale (de la façon la moins élevée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous allons maintenant écarter le système le moins performant.
We will now rule out the least effective system.

less

adverbe (une plus petite quantité) (with uncountable nouns)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Maintenant que je suis maman, j'ai moins de temps pour moi. Il y avait moins de salariés à cette réunion il me semble.
There were fewer employees at that meeting, I think.

minus

adverbe (désigne un nombre en dessous de 0)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il a gelé cette nuit, il y a moins 7 au thermomètre.
There was a frost overnight. The thermometer was showing minus 7.

to

adverbe (définit l'intervalle de temps restant) (time)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Il est minuit moins cinq.
It is five before midnight.

minus

nom masculin (Maths : marque de la soustraction) (Mathematics)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Dix moins deux égalent huit.
Ten take away two makes eight.

minus

nom masculin (Maths : signe moins, -)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Utilisez un moins entre les nombres que vous voulez soustraire.
Plus is used for an addition and minus for a subtraction.

unless

(sauf si, excepté si)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
On ne peut pas acheter cette maison à moins de gagner au loto.
We can't buy that house unless we win the lottery.

short of

(sauf si)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À moins d'un miracle, je ne vois pas comment notre équipe pourrait gagner.
Short of a miracle I cannot see how our team can possibly win.

under

(en dessous de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Je pense qu'il est impossible de trouver une maison dans ce quartier à moins de 300 000 €. J'aimerais trouver un appartement à moins de 10 minutes à pied de la gare.
I'd like to find an apartment less than ten minutes walk from the station.

unless

locution conjonction (sauf si)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Je serai là à 18 h, à moins que ma réunion s'éternise.
I will be there at six o'clock unless my meeting overruns.

before long, before too long, sooner or later

locution adverbiale (assez rapidement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cette loi sera votée à plus ou moins brève échéance.

at least

locution adverbiale (pour le moins)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il y en aurait au moins pour 150 € pour faire réparer cette télévision.
It will cost at least one hundred and fifty euros to fix this television.

at least

locution adverbiale (cependant)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Arthur est arrivé en retard mais au moins il n'a pas oublié d'apporter un dessert.
Arthur got here late but at least he remembered to bring dessert.

have a screw loose, not be all there

locution verbale (familier (manquer d'intelligence, être dérangé)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

much less, far less

(en quantité très inférieure) (with uncountable noun)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Nous avons eu beaucoup moins de neige que l'année dernière. Il y a eu beaucoup moins d'accidents de la route cette année.

much less, far less

locution adverbiale (beaucoup moins) (with uncountable noun)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Olivier a bien moins de problèmes en orthographe que Frédéric.

To say the least!

(c'est en dessous de la réalité)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Son livre n'a pas été apprécié, c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire.
His book wasn't appreciated, to say the least!

even less so given (that)

locution conjonction (encore moins parce que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Je ne sais pas naviguer, d'autant moins que j'ai le mal de mer.
I can't sail, particularly as I get sea sick.

in a not too distant future

locution adverbiale (dans pas trop longtemps)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

less

locution adverbiale (en moins par rapport à [qch] ou [qqn]) (with uncountable nouns)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Julie a eu trois points de moins que sa voisine en maths.
Julie had three fewer points than the girl sitting next to her in maths.

less and less

locution adverbiale (toujours moins)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ma ville, je crois que je l'aime de moins en moins. Cette machine marche de moins en moins bien.
I am growing to like my town less and less. That machine works well less and less.

less and less + [uncountable]

locution adverbiale (toujours moins de)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il tombe de moins en moins de neige dans la région. Il y a de moins en moins de bénévoles dans l'association dont je m'occupe.
There are fewer and fewer volunteers in the association I'm involved in.

half as much

locution adverbiale (la moitié)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

half as many

locution adjectivale (divisé par deux) (countable noun)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Paul a deux fois moins d'argent que Simon. Depuis les coupes budgétaires, il y a deux fois moins d'infirmières dans ce service maintenant.
Paul has half as much money as Simon.

in half the time

locution adjectivale (temps divisé par 2)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Grâce à ce nouveau pont, on met maintenant deux fois moins de temps pour rejoindre l'autre rive.
Thanks to this new bridge, you can get to the other side of the river in half the time.

at least

locution adverbiale (en tout cas)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Emma ne viendra pas car elle est malade, du moins c'est ce que j'ai compris.
Emma isn't coming because she is unwell, at least that is my understanding.

in order of priority

locution adverbiale (par ordre de priorité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

less

locution adverbiale (qui est enlevé) (uncountable noun)

J'ai eu trois tickets restaurant en moins ce mois-ci.
I had three fewer luncheon vouchers this month.

in no time, in no time at all

locution adverbiale (figuré (très rapidement) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in no time, in no time at all

locution adverbiale (vieilli (très rapidement) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

no sooner said than done

locution adverbiale (très rapidement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

even less

locution adverbiale (emphase pour moins)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ton frère ne fait pas grand-chose et toi, encore moins.
Your brother doesn't do much, and you do even less.

let alone

locution adverbiale (à plus forte raison)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Ton frère ne rentre pas dans du 43, encore moins dans du 42 !

even less than

locution adverbiale (vraiment moins de) (uncountables)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

not be as stupid as you look

locution verbale (ne pas être idiot) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Eh oui, c'est moi qui ai trouvé cet algorithme. Eh, c'est que je suis moins bête que j'en ai l'air ! Ne le sous-estime pas ; il est moins bête qu'il n'en a l'air.

18 film, 18-rated film

nom masculin (film à scènes pouvant choquer) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
N'y va pas avec des mineurs, c'est un film interdit aux moins de 18 ans.

[x] times less

(quantité : divisé x fois) (with uncountable nouns)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a deux fois moins de sucre dans les pâtisseries faites maison. Cette année, il y a eu cinq fois moins de visiteurs que l'année dernière.
There is half as much sugar in home-made pastries.

It was a close call!

(ce fut très juste)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the fact remains that

(oui mais, toujours est-il que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu as beau argumenter, mais il n'en demeure pas moins que je ne suis pas d'accord avec toi.

nevertheless

(néanmoins)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
La pétition a déjà atteint les 500 signatures ; il n'en reste pas moins qu'il en faut encore 500.

you learn something new every day

(j'ai appris [qch] de nouveau)

as little time as possible

locution adverbiale (aussi rapidement que possible)

the least bad, the least worst

nom masculin (familier (la moins mauvaise solution)

the least that can be said

(c'est en dessous de la réalité)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le moins qu'on puisse dire est que son livre n'a pas été apprécié.

the least I could do, the least I can do

(c'est la démarche minimum)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Merci d'être venu. C'est le moins que je puisse faire.

not as well, not so well

locution adverbiale (plus mal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

quarter to, quarter to a quarter to

locution adverbiale (15 minutes avant l'heure)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
J'ai rendez-vous chez le coiffeur à trois heures moins le quart. Dépêchons-nous, il est moins le quart, l'autobus passe dans un quart d'heure.
I have an appointment at the hairdresser's at quarter to three. Hurry up! It's quarter to; the bus will be along in fifteen minutes.

not as bad as

locution adverbiale (familier (mieux bien que pas bien)

nobody

nom masculin et féminin invariable (personne négligeable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

depreciation

nom féminin (diminution de la valeur de [qch]) (in value)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les moins-values dans l'immobilier sont rares.

loss

nom féminin (différence négative entre achat et revente) (financial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a fait une moins-value en revendant son bateau.

half that, half that number

locution adverbiale (2 fois moins)

stop you thinking

locution verbale (ne pas exprimer son désaccord)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle ne dit rien mais elle n'en pense pas moins.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. I made no objection but I had a mind to say otherwise.

keep your own counsel

locution verbale (ne pas exprimer son mécontentement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

no more, no less

locution adverbiale (sans excès ni manque)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je touche le SMIC, ni plus ni moins.

no more, no less

locution adverbiale (exactement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

no less + [adj], just as + [adj], at least as + [adj]

locution adverbiale (très)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

equally famous

locution adjectivale (tout aussi connu)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Une expo sur John Lennon et la non moins célèbre Yoko Ono.

Keep your voice down!

interjection (parle plus discrètement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

speak more quietly, talk more quietly

locution verbale (baisser le volume de sa voix)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mais parle mois fort ; tu vas réveiller les enfants !

negatron

nom féminin (électron) (negative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

not in the least

locution adverbiale (absolument pas)

at least

locution adverbiale (indication de quantité nécessaire à [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

more or less

locution adverbiale (pas exactement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Les gens restent ici plus ou moins un jour ou deux.

more than yesterday, less than tomorrow

locution adverbiale (beaucoup)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

to say the least

locution adverbiale (tout à fait, complètement)

La décision du directeur est pour le moins surprenante.

for the young and the not so young

(pour tout âge)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

nothing is less certain

(ce n'est pas certain du tout)

minus sign

nom masculin (symbole de soustraction) (mathematics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

then at least

locution adverbiale (au minimum)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

three times less + [uncountable]

(1/3 de [qch])

Notre concurrent produit trois fois moins de lait que nous. Ce fermier possède trois fois moins de bêtes que nous.
This farmer has three times fewer animals than the other farmer.

a third of the time

locution adverbiale (1/3 de temps)

Grâce à cette nouvelle ligne de bus, cela me prend trois fois moins de temps pour aller dans le centre : je passe d'une heure de trajet à vingt minutes !

a bit less, a little bit less

locution adverbiale (moins)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Je souhaiterais un peu moins de crème.

once less, one time less

locution adverbiale (même nombre de fois moins 1)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of moins in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Related words of moins

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.