How to Make Polite Requests in French Using ‘Je Voudrais’

3 min read

Learn how to make requests in French by using the useful phrase je voudrais. Great for ordering and for everyday conversations.

On this page

I. “Je voudrais…”: What It MeansII. How to Pronounce “Je voudrais…” (Video)III. Let’s Make it More Polite with “S’il te plait/s’il vous plait”IV. Sample DialogueV. More ExamplesVI. Conclusion

One of the most useful French phrases that beginners and travelers should learn is “je voudrais…”. This little phrase can be used when you’re out in restaurants ordering food or drinks, or in everyday conversations when you need to ask for something or make a little polite request.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use “Je voudrais… “ as well as try some examples.

I. “Je voudrais…”: What It Means

“Je voudrais…” simply means, “I would like…” This will let the other person know what you would like to do, know, or have. We follow “Je voudrais” with a noun or infinitive.

II. How to Pronounce “Je voudrais…” (Video)

You can practice how to pronounce “je voudrais…” with this short video.

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III. Let’s Make it More Polite with “S’il te plait/s’il vous plait”

“S’il te plait/s’il vous plait” is an expression that literally translates as “if it pleases you,” but it is generally used to mean “please” in French.

• “S’il vous plait” is used with vous, whether addressing one person formally or several people. “S’il te plait” is also polite, but addresses one person with tu.
• “S’il te plait” tends to be used in less formal situations and with people you know.

Just as in English, this expression can be added at the end of a request; it can also go at the beginning.

Like in the video example, we say:

Je voudrais un café,

s’il vous plait.

➝ I would like a coffee, please.

IV. Sample Dialogue

Let’s see how “je voudrais..” can be applied in a sample dialogue.

À la boulangerie (At the bakery)

Anne: Bonjour Monsieur. Je voudrais un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plait. (Hello, sir. I would like a chocolate-filled pastry, please.)

Le boulanger: Je suis désolé, je n’ai plus de pain au chocolat. Voulez-vous autre chose ?  (I am sorry, I don’t have any chocolate-filled pastries left. Would you like something else?)

Anne: Avez-vous des croissants peut-être? (Do you have croissants, perhaps?)

Le boulanger: Oui, bien sûr. Combien de croissants voulez-vous? (Yes, of course. How many croissants do you want?)

Anne:

J’en prends deux, s’il vous plait. Je voudrais aussi une baguette.

(I’ll take two, please. I would also like a baguette.)

V. More Examples

Want some more examples? Well, here you go. .

Je voudrais un gâteau, s’il vous plaît. – I would like a cake, please.

Je voudrais acheter ce livre, s’il vous plaît.– I would like to buy this book, please.

Je voudrais réserver un ticket, s’il vous plaît. – I would like to book a ticket, please.

Je voudrais un thé, s’il vous plaît.

– I would like a tea, please.

VI. Conclusion

Now you know how to use the common and very useful phrase “Je voudrais…” when making polite requests in French. You also learned how to use “s’il vous plaît” or “s’il te plait” after each request.

Do you want more short lessons like this? You can get more daily lessons together with exercises and lots of audio support with The Complete Beginner French Course. Check it out below.