"Echantillon" In English?

[Mehrgan]

Hi,

Could you please tell me what the exact equivalent form in English is?

'free gift', 'giveaway', or 'freebie'? Many thanks...

 

[Rover_KE]

If it's French, I think it's sample.

Try asking here:

http://forum.wordreference.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Rover

 

[chester_100]

Hi,

Could you please tell me what the exact equivalent form in English is?

'free gift', 'giveaway', or 'freebie'? Many thanks...

The closest meaning of this French word to what you mean is the following:

-échantillon: Petite quantité d'un produit diffusé gratuitement afin de le faire connaître du public.( Larousse)

Apparently it's not used in English that way. But it is used in Farsi.
By using that word, Farsi speakers mean 'something which is given free as a gift when you make a rather big purchase'. So it not for advertisement but for encouraging people to buy stuff form that store or shopping center. Based on the French definition, we can say that Iranians have expanded the meaning.

 

[philadelphia]

*Not a teacher

I agree with the above posters. However, context would help as there are a couple of translations.

 

[chester_100]

sample is miles away from what we're looking for.
An expression meaning 'free gift for buyers' can be good.

 

[philadelphia]

I do not see any problem with 'free sample of [...]'

 

[chester_100]

Sample reminds us of testing something. What Mehrgan wants is an already famous product, not a sample of the product.

For example, if you buy a computer system, they will give a free MP3 player or something. Something like an informal bonus.

Of course, as I have explained, the word's meaning range has been expanded in Farsi, so it can also refer to a sample too, but in this case, gift is better.

 

[philadelphia]

If so, the question '"Echantillon" In English?' has nothing to do in that thread as échantillon (French word) does not mean gift at all in that case. If not, it could be 'free sample of [...]'

More context is required to make it clear!

 

[chester_100]

yes.
Professor Newmark has termed this situation 'false friends'.
That French definition in my first post here might be the meaning from which the additional Farsi concept of gift was derived.

 

[konungursvia]

In cosmetics, a small sample is often called a tester.

 

[Mehrgan]

In cosmetics, a small sample is often called a tester.

Thanks to all dearposters. I suppose 'free gift' is the right term for what I'm looking for. The other two may be given to a large number of people to advertise some product; that is, to give them some sample of the product. Thanks...