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How to Say ‘What can I get you?’ in French

Qu'est-ce que je vous sers ?

k eh suh kuh zhuh voo sehr

[k eh suh kuh zhuh voo sehr]

💬 Usage Tip: Qu'est-ce que is a stock way to start a question, so swap the ending for others, like Qu'est-ce que vous prenez ? "What are you having?". Here qu' can't stand alone and is always joined to est-ce.

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'est-ce que

k eh suh kuh

What

A common question opener, said quickly as 'kess-kuh'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?

What do you want?

Words in this phrase

Qu'

[k]

what

Contracted form used in questions starting with what.

Example

Qu'est-ce qu'il comprend ? Qu' introduces the question.

What does it include? Qu' introduces the question.

est

[eh]

is

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

-ce

[suh]

question marker

In est-ce que, this element helps form a standard yes/no question in French.

Example

Est-ce qu'il y a un parking gratuit ?

Is there free parking?

que

[kuh]

that

Introduces the clause that follows after expressing a thought or opinion.

Example

Dans Je pense que, que relie l'opinion à l'idée suivante.

In "Je pense que," "que" links the opinion to the next idea.

je vous sers ?

zhuh voo sehr

can I serve you?

From 'servir', to serve. 'Sers' sounds like 'sehr'. The final s is silent.

Example

Je vous sers un verre ?

Shall I pour you a glass?

Words in this phrase

je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

vous

[voo]

to you

Indirect object pronoun: the person receiving something.

Example

Je vous donne la monnaie.

I give you the change.

sers

[sehr]

serve

Form of 'servir' (to serve) used with 'je'; waiters use it to ask what you'd like.

Example

Je sers le café au comptoir.

I serve the coffee at the counter.

Related guides

French Conversation for Beginners: 6 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseSix basic French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour and introducing yourself to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.French Phrases for Tourists: What to Say in Cafés, Shops, Stations and RestaurantsThe French phrases tourists actually use, sorted by situation: greetings, directions, cafés, restaurants, shopping and emergencies, with native audio.

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