What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means I can sit myself here, because the verb for sitting down is reflexive in French.
Which one should you use?
Adding Est-ce que at the start, as in Est-ce que je peux m'asseoir ici ?, gives a standard neutral question. Starting with Puis-je instead of Je peux makes the request more formal and elegant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Puis-je m'asseoir ici, s'il vous plaît? is the formal version and Est-ce que cela vous dérange si je m'assois ici? asks politely whether it bothers the other person. Among friends, Ça te dérange si je m'installe ici? means do you mind if I sit here.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often drop the reflexive pronoun and say Je peux asseoir ici ? You must keep m' and say m'asseoir.
When do people say it?
A natural reply is Oui, bien sûr. A more polite way to grant permission is Je vous en prie.
Did you know?
- While m'asseoir is the act of sitting, if you are asking to sit in a place to work or spend an afternoon, you would use s'installer. This verb literally means 'to install oneself', treating the person like a piece of furniture or equipment.
- The term ici can be traced back to the Late Latin phrase ecce hīc, which translates to 'behold here'.
- When using the formal Puis-je, you are using a rare remnant of the Old French 'power' verb. In modern French, puis is almost never used as a statement, appearing nearly exclusively in formal inverted questions.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je peux m'asseoir ici ?Excuse me, can I sit here?
- Est-ce que je peux m'asseoir ici ?Is it possible for me to sit here?
Example conversation
Emma is looking for a seat in a crowded cafe.
- EmmaJe peux m'asseoir ici ?Can I sit here?
- GabrielOui, bien sûr.Yes, of course.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup.Thank you very much.
- GabrielJe vous en prie.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ici, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
