acompte

deposit, down payment

noun ah-KOHNT Rare

Usage Note

Acompte refers specifically to a partial advance payment on a purchase or contract, not a security deposit (caution). Paying un acompte commits the buyer legally; losing it if you cancel is a common clause. Do not confuse with arrhes, which are also a deposit but governed by different legal rules in France.

Examples

"Nous avons versé un acompte pour réserver la salle."

Natural Translation

We paid a deposit to book the hall.

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