Est-ce que je peux acheter ?
The English phrase "can I buy?" is translated into French as Est-ce que je peux acheter ?
This phrase is used to ask if it is possible for the speaker to purchase something. Because acheter is a transitive verb, it is more natural in practice to follow it with a direct object such as ceci (this) or cela (that).
Which one should you use?
Je peux acheter ça? is an informal expression that translates to "Can I buy this?", whereas Serait-il possible que j'achète? is a formal phrase meaning "would it be possible for me to buy?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal settings or written French, the inversion Puis-je is used instead of Est-ce que je peux.
Did you know?
- The word acheter is used in the idiom acheter chat en sac, meaning to buy a cat in a bag. It is the French equivalent of the English expression 'buying a pig in a poke'.
- The verb acheter is a linguistic 'cousin' to the English word 'accept'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the Latin word 'acceptare', which meant to take or receive.
- In a French bakery, asking Je peux acheter… might be too formal. Customers typically just name the item and the quantity, like Un pain, s'il vous plaît, to be efficient.
Examples in context
- Puis-je acheter ce produit, s'il vous plaît?Can I buy this product, please?
- Est-ce que je peux acheter cette voiture neuve?Can I buy this new car?
- Serait-il possible que j'achète des billets pour le concert?Would it be possible for me to buy tickets for the concert?
- Est-ce que je peux acheter ce magnifique livre?Can I buy this amazing book?
- Puis-je acheter ce DVD demain?Can I buy this DVD tomorrow?
- Je peux acheter ces chaussures?Can I buy these shoes?
- Puis-je acheter cela, s'il vous plaît?Can I buy this, please?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acheter, je, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
