C'est la moins chère des salades ici.

It is the least expensive of the salads here.

Breakdown of C'est la moins chère des salades ici.

• être: to be
• de: of
• ici: here
• c': it

Questions & Answers about C'est la moins chère des salades ici.

Why is it C'est and not Elle est?

French uses C'est to identify or evaluate something, especially before a noun or a superlative with a determiner. C'est la moins chère is the natural pattern.

• If you explicitly name the noun, you can also say: Cette salade est la moins chère ici.
• Elle est la moins chère works only if elle clearly refers to a previously mentioned feminine noun; C'est is more neutral and idiomatic in isolation.

Why do we need the definite article la before moins chère?

Superlatives require the definite article: le/la/les plus/moins + adjective. Here the set has a single cheapest item, so it’s la moins chère (the least expensive one). Without la, it would be a comparative idea, not a superlative.

Why is chère feminine and singular?

Agreement. The adjective chère agrees with the implied noun salade, which is feminine singular. If the implied noun were masculine or plural, you’d change it:

• Masculine singular: C’est le moins cher des sandwichs ici.
• Feminine plural (several items tie for cheapest): Ce sont les moins chères des salades ici.

What does des mean in des salades here?