marchander

Senses

1. 1.

   to haggle; to bargain

   to negotiate over price, typically in a market setting

2. 2.

   to begrudge; to stint

   to give reluctantly or sparingly; to withhold

Examples

• "Au marché, les clients marchanden t le prix des tomates."

  At the market, customers haggle over the price of tomatoes.

• "Il ne faut pas marchander son effort si on veut réussir."

  One must not stint on effort if one wants to succeed.

• "Elle marchande toujours avec les vendeurs pour obtenir une meilleure affaire."

  She always bargains with sellers to get a better deal.

Usage

Marchander is a standard French verb, somewhat more literary or formal than modern colloquial French. The sense "to begrudge" is less common today. Often used in the context of negotiating prices at markets or antique shops. Do not confuse with marchand (merchant/dealer).