PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
🙋‍♂️➡️☕🙏

How to Say ‘I would like a coffee, please.’ in French

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

zhuh voo-DRAY uhn kah-FAY seel eel voo pleh

[zhuh voo-DRAY uhn kah-FAY seel eel voo pleh]

Phrase Breakdown

Je voudrais

zhuh voo-DRAY

I would like

Polite way to express a request or wish in French.

Example

Je voudrais de l'eau.

I would like some water.

Words in this phrase

Je

[zhuh]

I

The French subject pronoun for I.

Example

Je voudrais un mocha aujourd'hui.

I would like a mocha today.

voudrais

[voo-DRAY]

would like

A polite way to ask for something when ordering.

Example

Je voudrais un café décaféiné.

I would like a decaf coffee.

Un café

uhn kah-FAY

A coffee

Refers to one coffee, usually an espresso in a café context.

Example

Un café, merci.

A coffee, please.

Words in this phrase

un

[uhn]

a

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Je voudrais un café avant de partir.

I would like a coffee before leaving.

café

[kah-FAY]

coffee

The French word for coffee; often used broadly in ordering situations.

Example

Je voudrais un café avec un peu de lait.

I would like a coffee with a little milk.

S'il vous plaît

seel eel voo pleh

Please

Polite phrase used when making a request.

Example

Un croissant, s'il vous plaît.

A croissant, please.

Words in this phrase

s'

[seel]

if

Part of the polite phrase s'il vous plaît, meaning please.

Example

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît, avant mon train.

I would like a coffee, please, before my train.

il

[eel]

he / it

In s'il vous plaît, il refers to it in the fixed polite expression.

Example

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît, sans sucre.

I would like a coffee, please, without sugar.

vous

[voo]

you

The formal you, used in polite expressions and when addressing staff.

Example

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît, vous avez du lait ?

I would like a coffee, please, do you have milk?

plaît

[pleh]

pleases

Part of the fixed expression meaning please.

Example

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît, bien serré.

I would like a coffee, please, very strong.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.

Tom H., 38, Chef

Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer