Learning French: what does recevoir une note salée mean and when should it be used?

If you have ever dined in a French restaurant, you have probably asked for ‘l'addition, s'il vous plaît,’ at the end of your meal. Depending on the amount of bread, cheese and wine consumed throughout the evening, you might end up describing your cheque as une note salée.

We look at the figurative meaning behind this salty saying and explain when to use it so you can sound just like a native French speaker. 

What does recevoir une note salée mean?

The word note in French has a few different definitions: a written memo, a musical note, a grade, a rating, or an invoice. In this case, note refers to the latter.

Read also: Speak butter French: six expressions around the word beurre

Une note salée, literally: a salty bill, is an (unexpectedly) expensive cheque or receipt listing one or several outstanding payments. 

You may come across the following variations:

• Une facture salée – A steep bill

• Une amende salée – A ridiculous fine

• Un devis salé – A costly quote

What are the origins of recevoir une note salée?

It reportedly dates back to the 16th Century. Salt was considered a highly valuable resource, fuelling trade routes and allowing the exchange of silk, sugar and spices.

It was also used in preservation processes to extend the life of fresh produce and increase its value. Additional use of salt therefore led to a higher price tag.

Read also: C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise

Today, describing something as ‘salty’ implies that your food has been badly seasoned and is difficult to swallow. In modern English, it is used as a synonym for ‘bitter,’ describing someone angry, jealous or unforgiving – just like the emotions felt when presented with an inflated bill.

When do you say recevoir une note salée?

Say this when billed for an overly expensive amount of money:

• Lorsque nous avons rendu la voiture à l'agence de location, nous avons reçu une note salée. - When we took the car back to the rental company, we received a steep bill.

• La note du restaurant cinq étoiles était très salée. - The cheque from the five-star restaurant was through the roof. 

To whom do you say recevoir une note salée?

It is considered colloquial language that can be used in a range of contexts: with friends, family, clients or strangers.

Depending on your tone of voice, it could come across as a humorous exaggeration or a confrontational complaint, so be sure to take this into consideration before saying it out loud.

If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com