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How to Say ‘I'd like to speak to Mr. Martin, please.’ in French

Je voudrais parler à monsieur Martin, s'il vous plaît.

zhuh voo-DREH par-lay ah muh-SYUR mar-TAN s eel voo pleh

[zhuh voo-DREH par-lay ah muh-SYUR mar-TAN s eel voo pleh]

🇫🇷 In France: Asking for someone by title and surname, monsieur Martin, is the norm on business calls. Using a first name with a receptionist would sound overly familiar.

Phrase Breakdown

Je voudrais parler

zhuh voo-DREH par-lay

I would like to speak

This is a polite way to make a request. The 'e' in 'je' is very short.

Example

Je voudrais parler au directeur.

I would like to speak to the manager.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

voudrais

[voo-DREH]

would like

Conditional of 'vouloir', a polite way to ask for something.

Example

Je voudrais un café.

I would like a coffee.

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.

à monsieur Martin,

ah muh-SYUR mar-TAN

to Mr. Martin,

This names the person you want to reach. 'Monsieur' sounds like 'meu-syeu'.

Example

Je téléphone à monsieur Martin.

I'm calling Mr. Martin.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

Used with infinitive verbs to indicate purpose.

Example

Elle commence à chanter.

She begins to sing.

monsieur

[muh-SYUR]

sir / Mr.

Polite way to address or refer to a man.

Example

Bonsoir, monsieur.

Good evening, sir.

Martin

[mar-TAN]

Martin (surname)

A very common French family name.

Example

Monsieur Martin est mon voisin.

Mr. Martin is my neighbor.

s'il vous plaît.

s eel voo pleh

please.

Add this formal 'please' at the end to sound polite.

Example

L'addition, s'il vous plaît.

The bill, please.

Words in this phrase

[s]

Shortened form of 'si' before 'il', used in 's'il vous plaît'.

Example

Viens s'il fait beau.

Come if the weather is nice.

[eel]

it (impersonal)

Impersonal subject used with verbs like 'rester' meaning 'there is left'.

Example

Il reste du pain.

There is some bread left.

vous

[voo]

to you

Indirect object pronoun: the person receiving something.

Example

Je vous donne la monnaie.

I give you the change.

plaît

[pleh]

pleases / is liked

From the verb 'plaire'; it means something is pleasing or appealing.

Example

Ça me plaît quand l'équipe est ouverte.

I like it when the team is open.

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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