Reçu vs. récépissé
'Reçu' and 'récépissé' are both French terms connected to the transactional process and provide evidence of something being received or a service being provided. However, they are used in slightly different contexts within the Francophone world.
Reçu
A reçu is a general term for a receipt in French, commonly provided after the purchase of goods or services as proof of payment. It typically indicates the amount paid and the date of the transaction.
Après avoir payé, le serveur m'a donné un reçu.
(After I paid, the server gave me a receipt.)
Je garde tous mes reçus pour la comptabilité.
(I keep all my receipts for accounting purposes.)
Veuillez signer ici et prendre votre reçu.
(Please sign here and take your receipt.)
Récépissé
A récépissé is a specific type of acknowledgment receipt, often used in official transactions, such as at a post office, administrative offices, or for legal documents. It confirms that a document or item has been received but does not necessarily detail a monetary transaction like a traditional commercial receipt would.
J'ai déposé les documents à la mairie et ils m'ont remis un récépissé.
(I submitted the documents at the town hall and they gave me an acknowledgment of receipt.)
Le récépissé de dépôt est un document qui prouve que vous avez bien envoyé le colis à la date indiquée.
(The deposit slip is a document proving that you sent the package on the specified date.)
Pour suivre votre dossier, veuillez conserver ce récépissé.
(To track your file, please keep this acknowledgment of receipt.)
Summary
While both 'reçu' and 'récépissé' provide proof of some sort of transaction or exchange in French-speaking areas, 'reçu' is typically used to refer to receipts indicating financial transactions for goods or services purchased. In contrast, 'récépissé' refers to an acknowledgment receipt given after submitting documents or items to an authority or for mail services, which serves more as proof of delivery rather than payment made.