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How to Say ‘Please’ in French

S'il te plaît

see eel tuh pleh

[see eel tuh pleh]

🇫🇷 In France: [S'il te plaît] is polite but still informal because of [te]. With someone you don't know well, you'd normally say [s'il vous plaît].

Phrase Breakdown

S'

[see]

if (contraction in “s’il”)

S’ is the contracted form of “si” before “il”: s’il = if he/it. In the fixed polite phrase: s’il te plaît.

Example

S' il te plaît, pas de spoilers !

Please, no spoilers!

il

[eel]

he / it

Part of the set phrase “s’il te plaît” (literally “if it pleases you”) meaning “please” (informal).

Example

S’il te plaît, il ne faut pas me spoiler.

Please, you mustn’t spoil me.

te

[tuh]

to you (informal singular)

Indirect object pronoun for “you” (tu). Used in informal speech with friends.

Example

S’il te plaît, dis-le te à personne.

Please, don’t tell anyone.

plaît

[pleh]

pleases / likes

From “plaire” (to please). In “s’il te plaît,” it forms the informal “please.”

Example

S’il te plaît, attends que je voie l’épisode.

Please, wait until I see the episode.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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