Interactive French — Scenario of the Month Quelques formules de politesse - A few polite forms
One of the first expressions everyone learns when settling in France is "Je voudrais" (I would like), which works very well for simple everyday life transactions in stores, at the markets, or for obtaining general information. But, when you wish to ask for a favour or some additional information, "Je voudrais" might seem too demanding! It would be more appropriate and polite to use one of the following forms:
Serait-il possible de… ? = Would it be possible to… ?
Pourriez-vous… ? = Could you…?
Est-ce que ça vous dérangerait de… ? = Would you mind ...?
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In French grammar, we use the "conditionnel" when forming polite requests (the equivalent of ‘would' and ‘could' in English). This is how the construction works:
Serait-il possible de + 2 nd verb in the infinitive form (you leave that 2nd verb alone, you don't need to conjugate it!).
This is how we form ‘could' in the conditional according to the different subject pronouns:
Est-ce que je pourrais ? = Could I ?
Est-ce que vous pourriez ? Pourriez-vous ? (with the ‘vous' form) = Could you?
Est-ce qu'il/elle pourrait ? ¨Pourrait-il/elle ? = Could he/she?
Est-ce que nous pourrions ? Pourrions-nous ? = Could we? Est-ce qu'ils pourraient ? Pourraient-ils ? = Could they?
Note : “Could I?” can be said in two different ways : "Est-ce que je pourrais ?"
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(frequently used and less formal) or "Puis-je?"' (old fashioned or formal).
If you have never used these polite forms, I strongly suggest that you learn these three expressions for questions and use them in your everyday life. The French will appreciate your efforts and will usually reply positively with a smile!
How and when do we use these polite forms?
Imagine you are sitting in a brasserie and you've just ordered a café. You would like to have a glass of water with the coffee but it is not customary for the French to provide it spontaneously.
In this situation, using "Je voudrais" might seem again a bit demanding! If you approach the waiter by using one of the polite expressions, you will sound kind and respectful to the waiter. This is what you could say:
Excusez-moi, Monsieur, est-ce qu'il serait possible d'avoir un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît ? = Excuse me Sir, would it be possible to have a glass water, please ? OR
Excusez-moi, Monsieur, est-ce que je pourrais avoir un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît ? = Excuse me Sir, could I have a glass of water, please ?
Note : at a café, you may call a waiter " Monsieur"' or simply say "S'il vous plaît". Calling a waiter "Garçon" has become old fashioned or overrated (you might still hear some people use the term "Garçon" but it is now-a-days more customary and up to date simply to say " S'il vous plaît").
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An example Imagine you are in an unfamiliar city and you are supposed to meet someone at a café. You're lost and you see someone who has a map of the city and a mobile phone. You need help and you wish to look at that person's map and you wish to use their phone to warn your friend that you will be late. How would you approach this person?
En français:
Vous: Excusez-moi, Monsieur, mais je suis un peu perdue et je cherche le café "La Boussole". Est-ce que vous le connaissez ? Le monsieur: Non, je suis désolé. Vous : Est-ce que ça vous dérangerait si je regard ais votre plan une petite minute s'il vous plaît ? Le monsieur: Non, bien sûr,
je vous en prie ! Vous: Merci ! Aussi, est-ce que je pourrais utiliser votre téléphone deux petites secondes pour appeler mon ami qui m'attend? Le monsieur: Allez-y ! Vous: Merci beaucoup, Monsieur ! C'est très gentil !!
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Translation:
You: Excuse me, Sir but I'm a bit lost and I'm looking for le café "La Boussole"* – do you know it ?
The man: No, I'm sorry. You : Would you mind if I looked at your map for just a minute please? The man: of course not, here you go!
You: Thank you! could I use your telephone 2 seconds to call my friend who is waiting for me?
The man: go ahead! You : Thank you very much, Sir! That's very kind!
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*A “ boussole ” = a compass.
French Accent Magazine - December 06
Note : You might hear " Je vous en prie" in different situations! It is usually said to express " You're welcome"
when someone has said " Thank you", but it can also be used to express "Please" or "Here you go".
If you're waiting in line at the supermarket and someone wants to offer you to go in front of them, they
might
say to you,
"Je vous en prie !"
