je voudrais un verre d'eau
The English phrase "I would like a glass of water" is translated into French as je voudrais un verre d'eau.
This phrase is a polite way to ask for a serving of water to drink. It is the standard way to order or request something in a restaurant or social setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The component un verre d'eau literally means "a glass of water", where d' is a contraction of de (of).
Which one should you use?
While je veux un verre d'eau (I want a glass of water) is grammatically correct, it sounds blunt or even rude in a service context compared to the more polite je voudrais un verre d'eau.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase is inherently polite. You can adjust the level of formality by changing the ending of the request: use Je voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît. for formal situations and Je voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il te plaît. for informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb voudrais is the conditional form of vouloir (to want), which makes the request polite rather than demanding.
Did you know?
- If you ask for un verre d'eau in a French restaurant, the waiter will likely bring une carafe d'eau, which is a pitcher of tap water provided for free by law.
- In French, the word verre meaning 'glass' and the word vitre meaning 'window pane' are doublets, meaning they both evolved from the same Latin word vitrum.
- While un verre d'eau specifies a glass, asking simply for de l'eau is more ambiguous and can imply any container, such as a bottle or a pitcher.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je voudrais un verre d'eau.Excuse me, I would like a glass of water.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are at a restaurant.
- LéaJe voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.I would like a glass of water, please.
- HugoBien sûr, je vous apporte ça.Of course, I'll bring that to you.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, Hugo.Thank you very much, Hugo.
- HugoJe vous en prie, Léa.You're welcome, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, un, verre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
