How to say ‘Can I Have’ in French
How To Say 'Can I Have' in French
In today’s episode, I will teach you three ways to say ‘Can I have ‘ in French, from casual to formal!
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#1 - Est-ce que je peux avoir
Est-ce que je peux avoir is the casual way to ask for something. Make sure to pronounce ‘Esku’. French don’t make a difference between to get or to have when asking.
Est-ce que je peux avoir du pain ? = Can I have some bread?
Est-ce que je peux avoir ton numéro ? = Can I get your phone number?
#2 Pourrais-je avoir
Pourrais-je avoir is the conditional of Can I Have. This is formal and elegant. You can use it when you want to be polite.
Pourrais-je avoir la chambre avec la vue sur le jardin s’il vous plait ? = COuld I get the bedroom with the garden view.
Pourrais-je avoir trois croissants et une baguette s’il vous plait? = Could I have three croissants and one baguette
#3 Puis-je avoir
Puis-je avoir is more formal and a little dated but sounds sophisticated! It’s closer to ‘May I have…’ Keep it for the ‘Grand’ occasions!
Actually this is ‘ je peux ‘ inverted for a question. You NEVER say ‘Peux-je avoir’. You’ll use ‘Puis-je avoir…’
Puis-je réserver votre meilleure table s’il vous plait? = May I book your best table?
Puis-je m’assoir en terrasse s’il vous plait ? = May I sit on the terrace?
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