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How to Say ‘Can I talk to you for two minutes?’ in French

Je peux vous parler deux minutes ?

zhuh puh voo par-lay d-uh mee-NEWT

[zhuh puh voo par-lay d-uh mee-NEWT]

🇫🇷 In France: Using vous with a stranger is the polite, non-pushy way to start. Asking for just two minutes signals you won't hold them up.

Phrase Breakdown

Je peux vous parler

zhuh puh voo par-lay

Can I talk to you

This is a polite way to approach someone.

Example

Je peux vous parler un instant ?

Can I talk to you for a moment?

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

peux

[puh]

can

Form of pouvoir meaning to be able to or can.

Example

Je peux vous présenter mes compétences en quelques minutes.

I can present my skills to you in a few minutes.

vous

[voo]

to you

Indirect object pronoun: the person receiving something.

Example

Je vous donne la monnaie.

I give you the change.

parler

[par-lay]

to speak / talk

Infinitive verb meaning to speak or talk, often followed by de for the topic.

Example

Je peux vous parler de mon dernier projet.

I can talk to you about my latest project.

deux minutes ?

d-uh mee-NEWT

for two minutes?

This is a common expression for 'a moment'. Say 'duh mee-NEWT'.

Example

J'arrive dans deux minutes.

I'll be there in two minutes.

Words in this phrase

deux

[d-uh]

two

The number 2.

Example

Ils sont venus tous les deux.

They both came.

minutes

[mee-NEWT]

minutes

Plural of 'minute', units of time.

Example

Attendez cinq minutes.

Wait five minutes.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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