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How to Say ‘A coffee, please’ in French

Un café, s'il vous plaît

uhn kah-fay seel eel voo pleh

[uhn kah-fay seel eel voo pleh]

Phrase Breakdown

Un

[uhn]

a

Indefinite article for a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un café, s'il vous plaît, à emporter.

A coffee, please, to go.

café

[kah-fay]

coffee

Common noun for coffee; also used when ordering in a café.

Example

Je prends un café le matin.

I have a coffee in the morning.

s'

[seel]

if

Part of the set polite phrase “s'il vous plaît.”

Example

Un café, s'il vous plaît, avec du sucre.

A coffee, please, with sugar.

il

[eel]

he

Fixed part of the expression for “please.”

Example

S'il vous plaît, un café.

Please, a coffee.

vous

[voo]

you

Formal or plural “you,” used politely.

Example

Je vous demande un café, s'il vous plaît.

I ask you for a coffee, please.

plaît

[pleh]

pleases

Part of the polite phrase meaning “please.”

Example

Un café, s'il vous plaît.

A coffee, please.

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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