Puis-je boire de l'eau ?
The English phrase "can I drink water?" is translated into French as Puis-je boire de l'eau ?
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for permission to drink water.
Which one should you use?
While Puis-je boire de l'eau ? is highly formal, Est-ce que je peux boire de l'eau ? is a more common, neutral way to ask the same question.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Puis-je is the inverted, formal way to ask "Can I" or "May I" in French.
Did you know?
- In French restaurants, asking for 'water' usually gets you a 'carafe d'eau', which is a free pitcher of tap water, rather than a bottled brand.
- The word boire shares a common ancestor with the English word 'beer', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to drink'.
- While boire means 'to drink', the French use the same verb to describe the act of soaking up a liquid, such as a sponge 'drinking' water.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, excusez-moi. Puis-je boire de l'eau, s'il vous plaît?Good morning, excuse me. May I drink water, please?
- Hé, je peux prendre de l'eau?Hey, can I have some water?
- S'il vous plaît, puis-je boire de l'eau ?Please, can I drink water?
Example conversation
Lucas is in a classroom and feels thirsty.
- LucasMadame, puis-je boire de l'eau ?Teacher, can I drink some water?
- ManonOui Lucas, tu peux y aller.Yes Lucas, you may go.
- LucasMerci beaucoup, Manon.Thank you very much, Manon.
- ManonDe rien, reviens vite.You're welcome, come back quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boire, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
