y compris

Including with Y Compris

Level 4

Use y compris to say 'including' or 'even.' It highlights that a specific item is part of a larger group, often adding a nuance of surprise or emphasis.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
The phrase literally means 'therein included.' It is the most common way to express inclusion in French. While it often translates simply as 'including,' it can also mean 'even,' suggesting that the inclusion might be unexpected.

2. Position and Agreement Rules

  • Before the noun (Antéposition): It acts as a preposition and never changes. This is the most common usage.
    Ex: J'ai tout mangé, y compris la salade. (I ate everything, including the salad.)
  • After the noun (Postposition): It acts as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
    Ex: Les taxes y comprises. (Taxes included.)

3. Nuance vs. Other Terms
Unlike dont, which is a neutral way to pick out a sub-group, y compris is used to add an item to a list or emphasize its inclusion. Its antonym is non compris (not including), which follows the same agreement rules.

Examples (5)

  1. Le prix est de vingt euros, y compris les frais de port.

    The price is twenty euros, including shipping costs.

    Word by Word: The price is of twenty euros, there included the costs of port.

    Here, 'y compris' is placed before the noun 'frais,' so it remains invariable.

  2. Tout le monde est venu, y compris mes ennemis.

    Everyone came, including (even) my enemies.

    Word by Word: All the world is come, there included my enemies.

    In this context, 'y compris' adds a nuance of 'even,' highlighting a surprising inclusion.

  3. Le petit-déjeuner est servi, boisson y comprise.

    Breakfast is served, drink included.

    Word by Word: The little-lunch is served, drink there included.

    Because 'y comprise' follows the feminine noun 'boisson,' it takes an 'e' to agree.

  4. Ils ont tout vendu, y compris la voiture.

    They sold everything, including the car.

    Word by Word: They have all sold, there included the car.

    Even though 'voiture' is feminine, 'y compris' does not change because it precedes the noun.

  5. Service y compris.

    Service included.

    Word by Word: Service there included.

    A common phrase seen on restaurant bills. Since 'service' is masculine singular, 'compris' stays in its base form.

Common Mistakes

  • Making 'y compris' agree when it comes before a feminine or plural noun.

    J'ai invité tout le monde, y comprise ma sœur.
    J'ai invité tout le monde, y compris ma sœur.

    When 'y compris' is placed before the noun, it is a fixed prepositional phrase and never changes its ending.

  • Adding an unnecessary 'à' after 'y compris' by default.

    Il aime tous les fruits, y compris à la pomme.
    Il aime tous les fruits, y compris la pomme.

    You only use 'à' after 'y compris' if the main verb of the sentence requires 'à'. Since 'aimer' takes a direct object, no 'à' is needed.

How It Connects

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y comprisLevel 4Including with Y Compris

Learn This First

To understand 'y compris', learners need to recognize 'compris' as a past participle and 'y' as a functional pronoun. It is also important to understand the concept of agreement to appreciate why this specific expression remains invariable in its common usage.

Words in This Pattern

y compriscompris