Which one should you use?
Using une glace implies a specific item like a cone or a scoop, whereas using de la glace asks for an unspecified amount of the substance. Additionally, the structure je peux avoir une glace is a more common, less formal way to ask the same question in everyday spoken French than using the inversion puis-je.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to phrase this request depending on the level of formality. The forms Puis-je avoir de la glace, s'il vous plaît?, Pourrais-je commander de la crème glacée, s'il vous plaît? and Je voudrais de la glace, s'il vous plaît. are all formal ways to ask for ice cream or state that you would like some. In contrast, Est-ce que je peux avoir de la glace? and je peux avoir une glace are informal ways to make the request.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you might say Puis-je avoir une crème glacée, s'il vous plaît?
How does it change in a sentence?
Using de la glace instead of une glace changes the request from asking for a specific unit (like a cone or a scoop) to asking for an unspecified amount of the substance.
Did you know?
- The word glace is used for both 'ice cream' and 'mirror' in French. This is because the word originally described anything with a smooth and shining surface.
- The verb avoir used in your request is a distant relative of the English word 'aver', which means to declare something to be true.
- The French word glace doesn't just mean 'ice cream' or 'mirror', but also describes a 'glaze' used in cooking to give pastries a shiny finish.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que je peux avoir de la glace à la vanille?Can I have vanilla ice cream?
- Je veux de la crème glacée au chocolat, s'il te plaît!I want chocolate ice cream, please!
- Puis-je avoir une glace à la vanille ?Can I have a vanilla ice cream?
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are at a dessert shop.
- EmmaBonjour ! Puis-je avoir une glace, s'il vous plaît ?Hello! Can I have an ice cream, please?
- NathanBien sûr, Emma. Quel parfum voulez-vous ?Of course, Emma. Which flavor would you like?
- EmmaJe voudrais vanille, s'il vous plaît.I would like vanilla, please.
- NathanTrès bien, je vous apporte ça tout de suite.Very well, I will bring that to you right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avoir, glace, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
