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How to Say ‘Can I help you?’ in French

Je peux vous aider ?

zhuh puh voo ay-day

[zhuh puh voo ay-day]

🇫🇷 In France: Staff often ask this as you browse. If you're only looking, reply Je regarde, merci "I'm just looking, thanks".

Phrase Breakdown

Je peux

zhuh puh

I can

From 'pouvoir' (can). Say 'zhuh puh'. The final 'x' is silent.

Example

Je peux entrer ?

Can I come in?

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

peux

[puh]

can / may

From the verb pouvoir; used to ask permission or say what you are able to do.

Example

Est-ce que je peux vous parler après le cours ?

May I speak to you after class?

vous aider ?

voo ay-day

help you?

The 's' of 'vous' links to 'aider' with a 'z' sound: 'voo-zay-day'. Let your voice rise for the question.

Example

Je vais vous aider.

I'm going to help you.

Words in this phrase

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

aider

[ay-day]

to help

'Aider' is an action word meaning to assist or give support.

Example

Tu pourrais m'aider avec ce projet.

You could help me with this project.

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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