rate
The French term 'taux' is equivalent to the English word 'rate'. It's used in many contexts such as mathematics, economics, and general usage, where it can mean proportion, ratio, or speed. For instance, 'taux de change' means 'exchange rate' in financial context, while in a general context 'taux de réussite' can mean 'success rate'. As with many words, it's usage often depends on the specific context.
The unemployment rate has increased this year.
This sentence refers to an increase in the unemployment rate, indicating a larger amount of people without jobs within a certain population this year.
The mortality rate has decreased thanks to medical advances.
This sentence indicates an improvement in the mortality rate - the number of deaths in a specific population - as a result of improvements in medicine.
The interest rate on my loan is too high.
Here, the speaker is expressing dissatisfaction with the interest rate, the percentage charged on a loan, which they consider too high.
I need to check the exchange rate before travelling.
The speaker announces they need to check the exchange rate – the value of one currency for the purpose of conversion to another – before their travel.
The success rate for this exam is generally low.
This sentence suggests that the success rate, or the percentage of people who pass, for a particular exam is typically low.
The birth rate has fallen in recent decades.
This sentence refers to a decrease in the birth rate, or the number of births per 1,000 people, over the last few decades.
The inflation rate has increased significantly.
This is referring to the rate of inflation, the measure of the increase in prices over time, which has significantly increased.
The acceptance rate at this university is very low.
Here, the speaker is speaking about a particular university's acceptance rate, the percentage of applicants who receive admission, which is very low.
The infant mortality rate is an important indicator of a nation's health.
This sentence refers to the infant mortality rate, the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births, an important measure of a nation's overall health.
The voter turnout at the elections was higher than in previous years.
The phrase refers to a increased voter turnout rate, the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election, that was higher than in previous years.