Prime vs. bonus
While both words refer to receiving extra money or advantages, prime is the standard, formal term used in contracts, insurance, and government contexts. In contrast, bonus is a more modern term often reserved for performance-based rewards, specific systems like bonus-malus, or recreational advantages.
Prime
B1This is the most common and formal French word for an extra payment. It refers to a sum paid strictly according to a contract, a law, or a specific condition (like seniority, danger, or holidays). Crucially, prime is also the only word used to translate an insurance premium or payment.
Elle a reçu une belle prime de fin d'année de son employeur.
(She received a nice end-of-year bonus from her employer.)
Le montant de votre prime d'assurance augmentera l'année prochaine.
(The amount of your insurance premium will increase next year.)
Les infirmières touchent une prime pour le travail de nuit.
(Nurses receive a bonus for night work.)
Le gouvernement a annoncé une prime à la conversion pour les voitures électriques.
(The government announced a conversion bonus for electric cars.)
Il a négocié une prime de départ avant de quitter l'entreprise.
(He negotiated a severance package (bonus) before leaving the company.)
Bonus
B1This word usually implies a variable reward based on performance, merit, or results (similar to the corporate English usage). It suggests something extra on top of the normal salary. It is also used in the specific insurance term bonus-malus (no-claims bonus) and in gaming or sports contexts.
Si l'équipe atteint les objectifs de vente, tout le monde aura un bonus.
(If the team reaches the sales targets, everyone will get a bonus.)
J'ai un bonus de 50 % sur mon assurance car je n'ai jamais eu d'accident.
(I have a 50% no-claims bonus on my insurance because I have never had an accident.)
Les traders de cette banque attendent leur bonus avec impatience.
(The traders at this bank are waiting impatiently for their bonus.)
Dans ce jeu vidéo, attraper l'étoile te donne un bonus de vitesse.
(In this video game, catching the star gives you a speed bonus.)
Ce morceau caché est un petit bonus pour les fans de l'album.
(This hidden track is a little bonus for fans of the album.)
Summary
To summarize, use prime for official, contractual, or statutory payments (like holiday pay, hazard pay, or insurance premiums). Use bonus when talking about performance-related rewards, corporate sales incentives, or simply extra perks.