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How to Say ‘If it's not too much to ask’ in French

Si ce n'est pas trop demander

see suh n eh pah troh duh-mahn-DAY

[see suh n eh pah troh duh-mahn-DAY]

💬 Usage Tip: In writing, ne ... pas wraps around the verb, as in n'est pas. In everyday speech the ne often drops, so you'll hear si c'est pas trop demander.

Phrase Breakdown

Si ce n'est pas

see suh n eh pah

If it isn't

'N'est' is the negation 'ne' joined to 'est'. Say it smoothly: 'see suh nay pa'.

Example

Si ce n'est pas grave, tant mieux.

If it isn't serious, so much the better.

Words in this phrase

[see]

A condition or supposition.

Example

Si tu le vois, dis-lui bonjour.

If you see him, say hello.

[suh]

this / that

Demonstrative adjective used before a masculine singular noun, like ce tir.

Example

Ce match est fou !

This match is crazy!

[n]

not

Shortened form of 'ne' used in negation before a vowel.

Example

Il n'y a plus rien ici.

There is nothing left here anymore.

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

trop demander

troh duh-mahn-DAY

too much to ask

The 'p' in 'trop' is silent. 'Demander' ends in an 'ay' sound.

Example

C'est trop demander ?

Is that too much to ask?

Words in this phrase

trop

[troh]

too much / too

In pas trop, it softens the answer to mean not really or not too much.

Example

Je ne fais pas trop de longues sorties en roller.

I don't really do long skating outings.

demander

[duh-mahn-DAY]

to ask

Infinitive verb meaning to ask or request.

Example

Tu peux demander l'addition ?

Can you ask for the bill?

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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