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How to Say ‘I can take it back, if you'd prefer?’ in French

Je peux la reprendre, si vous préférez ?

zhuh puh lah ruh-PRAHN-druh see voo pray-fay-ray

[zhuh puh lah ruh-PRAHN-druh see voo pray-fay-ray]

🇫🇷 In France: Offering to take a gift back is a gracious way to ease the awkward moment. Expect the host to refuse politely.

Phrase Breakdown

Je peux la reprendre,

zhuh puh lah ruh-PRAHN-druh

I can take it back,

'Reprendre' means to take back. 'La' (it) refers to a feminine noun and goes before the verb. 'Je peux' sounds like 'zhuh puh'.

Example

Je peux la reprendre demain.

I can take it back tomorrow.

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?

[lah]

Refers to the reservation that was just mentioned.

Example

Oui, je la vois à votre nom.

Yes, I see it under your name.

reprendre

[ruh-PRAHN-druh]

take back

To take something back again.

Example

Tu peux reprendre ton livre.

You can take back your book.

si vous préférez ?

see voo pray-fay-ray

if you prefer?

A polite offer. Raise your voice at the end because it's a question.

Example

On reste ici, si vous préférez ?

We'll stay here, if you prefer?

Words in this phrase

[see]

A condition or supposition.

Example

Si tu le vois, dis-lui bonjour.

If you see him, say hello.

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

préférez

[pray-fay-ray]

prefer

Verb used to ask or state a preference.

Example

Vous préférez une place au calme.

You prefer a quiet seat.

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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