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How to Say ‘Excuse me, may I ask what you're drinking?’ in French

Excusez-moi, je peux vous demander ce que vous buvez ?

eks-kew-zey mwah zhuh puh voo duh-mahn-DAY suh kuh voo bew-VAY

[eks-kew-zey mwah zhuh puh voo duh-mahn-DAY suh kuh voo bew-VAY]

🇫🇷 In France: Asking about someone's drink is a classic, low-pressure opener at a French bar. Starting with Excusez-moi and vous keeps it polite with a stranger.

Phrase Breakdown

Excusez-moi,

eks-kew-zey mwah

Excuse me,

This is a polite way to get attention. Pronounce it 'ex-ku-zay-mwa'.

Example

Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ?

Excuse me, where's the restroom?

Words in this phrase

Excusez

[eks-kew-zey]

Excuse

A polite request for forgiveness or attention.

Example

Excusez-moi, je dois passer.

Excuse me, I need to pass through.

-moi

[mwah]

Used to refer to oneself, asking for attention or pardon.

Example

Excusez-moi de vous déranger.

Excuse me for disturbing you.

je peux vous demander

zhuh puh voo duh-mahn-DAY

may I ask you

This is a polite request. Keep it flowing: 'j'peux vous d'man-day'.

Example

Je peux vous demander l'heure ?

May I ask you the time?

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

[voo]

to you

Indirect object pronoun: the person receiving something.

Example

Je vous donne la monnaie.

I give you the change.

demander

[duh-mahn-DAY]

to ask

Verb meaning to ask or request something.

Example

Je vais demander l'addition.

I'm going to ask for the bill.

ce que vous buvez ?

suh kuh voo bew-VAY

what you're drinking?

Raise your voice at the end to mark the question.

Example

Je peux savoir ce que vous buvez ?

Can I know what you're drinking?

Words in this phrase

[suh]

what / that which

Ce often means what or that which when followed by que.

Example

Explique Ce que tu ne comprends pas au professeur.

Explain what you do not understand to the teacher.

que

[kuh]

that / what

Links ce to the rest of the clause; together ce que often means what.

Example

Montre Ce que tu ne comprends pas sur la feuille.

Show what you do not understand on the worksheet.

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

buvez

[bew-VAY]

drink / are drinking

Polite or plural 'you' form of the verb boire, to drink.

Example

Qu'est-ce que vous buvez ce soir ?

What are you drinking tonight?

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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