What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb pouvoir (to be able to/may), the subject je (I) and the infinitive avoir (to have).
Which one should you use?
While puis-je avoir is a formal way to say 'May I have', Est-ce que je peux avoir is a more common and standard way to say 'Can I have' in everyday spoken French. Additionally, Est-ce que je pourrais avoir can be used as a formal way to say 'Could I have'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
puis-je avoir is a highly formal way to ask for something and is more common in written or very polite spoken contexts than in casual conversation. In contrast, Est-ce que je peux avoir is an informal way to say 'Can I have'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the inverted question form puis-je, the verb peux changes to puis specifically for the first-person singular je to facilitate the inversion.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to invert 'peux' to get Peux-je, but this is grammatically incorrect in French. You must use puis-je instead.
When do people say it?
When ordering food or drinks in a restaurant, French speakers more commonly use Je voudrais… (I would like) rather than asking 'Can I have…' using puis-je avoir.
Did you know?
- The English word 'aver', meaning to state or assert something to be true, was borrowed from the Old French word aver, an early form of avoir.
- The inversion in puis-je is one of the last remaining vestiges of a complex system of formal question-forming in French that is disappearing in spoken speech.
Examples in context
- Puis-je avoir du thé ?Can I have some tea?This sentence is useful for asking for some tea.Tatoeba #2347706 by sacredceltic, translation #2347263 by CK
- Puis-je avoir un café ?Can I have a coffee?This sentence is useful for asking for a coffee.Tatoeba #5933978 by Aiji, translation #3327508 by CK
- Puis-je avoir un câlin ?Can I have a hug?This sentence is useful for asking for a hug.Tatoeba #6400195 by Aiji, translation #3327491 by CK
- Excusez-moi, puis-je avoir un verre d'eau s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, may I have a glass of water, please?
- Est-ce que je pourrais avoir l'addition s'il vous plaît?Could I have the bill, please?
- Est-ce que je peux avoir un peu de pain?Can I have some bread?
- Je peux avoir un stylo?Can I have a pen?
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon is ordering at a bakery.
- ManonBonjour, puis-je avoir un croissant s'il vous plaît ?Hello, can I have a croissant please?
- HugoBien sûr, lequel voulez-vous ?Of course, which one do you want?
- ManonCelui-ci, et puis-je avoir un sac ?This one, and can I have a bag?
- HugoOui, voici votre commande, Manon.Yes, here is your order, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avoir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
