What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je voudrais commander, s'il vous plaît literally translates to "I would like to order, please".
Which one should you use?
While je voudrais commander is the most common way to express the intent, Est-ce que je peux commander, s'il vous plaît ? is a more literal translation of the English "Can I order".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form je voudrais commander, s'il vous plaît is a polite and standard way to signal to a server that you are ready to order. For more formal situations, you can use Puis-je passer commande, s'il vous plaît? or Pourrais-je commander, s'il vous plaît? In an informal setting, you might say Est-ce que je peux commander, s'il te plaît?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb voudrais is the conditional form of vouloir, which makes the request polite rather than using the blunt veux (I want).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using je veux commander instead of je voudrais sounds demanding and can be perceived as rude in a restaurant setting.
Did you know?
- The word commander shares an ancient root with the Latin word 'manus', meaning 'hand'. This connects the idea of 'ordering' or 'commanding' to the physical act of directing or handling something.
- In many traditional French dining settings, you do not actually need to say 'can I order' to get attention. A simple, polite 'S'il vous plaît' while making eye contact is often the standard way to signal you are ready.
- The French term for ordering food, commander, is actually quite authoritative, essentially meaning 'to command' or 'to give an order'.
Examples in context
- Monsieur, je voudrais commander, s'il vous plaît.Sir, I would like to order, please.
Example conversation
Hugo is at a cafe and calls the waitress over.
- HugoBonjour Léa, je voudrais commander, s'il vous plaît.Hello Léa, I would like to order, please.
- LéaOui, je vous écoute. Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?Yes, I'm listening. What would you like?
- HugoUn café et un croissant, merci.A coffee and a croissant, thank you.
- LéaTrès bien, je vous apporte ça tout de suite.Very well, I'll bring that to you right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries commander, je, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
