Bon de réduction vs. coupon vs. bon d'achat
When shopping in France, it is helpful to distinguish between terms that simply lower a price and terms that act as currency. While bon de réduction and coupon usually refer to discounts applied to a total, a bon d'achat functions more like cash or store credit used to pay for items.
Bon de réduction
A2This term refers to a voucher that deducts a specific amount or percentage from the price of a product. A bon de réduction is typically used during a promotion to lower the cost of a purchase.
J'ai présenté un bon de réduction de cinq euros à la caisse.
(I presented a five-euro discount voucher at the checkout.)
Ce bon de réduction est valable uniquement sur les produits laitiers.
(This discount voucher is valid only on dairy products.)
Si vous achetez deux pizzas, vous pouvez utiliser ce bon de réduction pour la troisième.
(If you buy two pizzas, you can use this discount voucher for the third one.)
Le magasin m'a envoyé un bon de réduction pour mon anniversaire.
(The store sent me a discount voucher for my birthday.)
Coupon
A2This word is often used interchangeably with bon de réduction, but it emphasizes the format, such as a paper ticket cut from a flyer or a digital code. A coupon is exchanged to receive a benefit or a deal.
J'ai découpé ce coupon dans le journal du dimanche.
(I cut this coupon out of the Sunday newspaper.)
Veuillez entrer le code de votre coupon avant de valider le panier.
(Please enter your coupon code before confirming the cart.)
Il faut imprimer le coupon pour profiter de l'offre en magasin.
(You must print the coupon to take advantage of the offer in the store.)
Ce coupon vous donne droit à une livraison gratuite.
(This coupon entitles you to free delivery.)
Bon d'achat
B1Unlike the others, a bon d'achat represents a specific monetary value acting as a means of payment. It is often store credit given as a refund or a gift voucher used to buy anything in the store.
Comme je n'avais pas de ticket de caisse, le magasin m'a remboursé en bon d'achat.
(Since I didn't have a receipt, the store refunded me with store credit.)
J'ai gagné un bon d'achat de cent euros à la loterie.
(I won a one hundred euro purchase voucher in the lottery.)
Vous pouvez utiliser ce bon d'achat sur tous les rayons sauf l'alimentaire.
(You can use this voucher in all departments except food.)
J'ai offert un bon d'achat à ma sœur pour qu'elle choisisse ses propres vêtements.
(I gave a gift voucher to my sister so she could choose her own clothes.)
Summary
Use bon de réduction or coupon when you are applying a discount to lower the price of an item. Use bon d'achat when you have a voucher with cash value that serves as a method of payment, like a gift card or store credit.