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

Si ce n'est pas trop embêtant

see suh n eh pah troh ahn-beh-TAHN

[see suh n eh pah troh ahn-beh-TAHN]

🇫🇷 In France: Softening a request like this is standard politeness with staff. It turns a demand into a favour.

Phrase Breakdown

Si ce n'est pas

see suh n eh pah

If it's not

A polite conditional opener. In everyday speech it sounds like 'si s'nè pa': the 'e' of 'ce' is often dropped, and the 's' of 'pas' is silent.

Example

Si ce n'est pas indiscret, quel âge avez-vous ?

If it's not too personal, how old are you?

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 embêtant

troh ahn-beh-TAHN

too much trouble / too annoying

'Embêtant' means bothersome. Link 'trop' to 'embêtant' with a light 'p' sound: 'tro-p-em-bè-tan'. Both 'em' and the final 'ant' are nasal vowels.

Example

C'est un peu embêtant.

It's a bit annoying.

Words in this phrase

trop

[troh]

too

Used to say there is an excessive amount or degree.

Example

C'est trop cher dans cette boutique.

It's too expensive in this shop.

embêtant

[ahn-beh-TAHN]

annoying / bothersome

Informal adjective from 'embêter', to bother.

Example

C'est un peu embêtant.

It's a bit annoying.

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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