How to Say ‘Please’ in French
S'il vous plaît
seel eel voo pleh
[seel eel voo pleh]
💬 Usage Tip: In [s'il vous plaît], the [l] of [si le] disappears before the vowel in [il], so it contracts to [s'il]. You use the full chunk as a fixed polite expression, not word by word.
🇫🇷 In France: [S'il vous plaît] is standard polite French with strangers, including restaurant staff. In this setting, it sounds normal and courteous, not stiff.
Phrase Breakdown
S'
[seel]
if
Part of the fixed polite expression s'il vous plaît, literally if it pleases you.
S'il vous plaît, confirmez la réservation.
Please confirm the reservation.
il
[eel]
he / it
Here il is part of the fixed phrase s'il vous plaît; it is not translated word-for-word in everyday use.
S'il vous plaît, une table pour deux.
Please, a table for two.
vous
[voo]
you
Object or stressed pronoun meaning you, used politely or for plural you.
S'il vous plaît, je vous écoute.
Please, I am listening to you.
plaît
[pleh]
pleases
From plaire, to please; part of the expression meaning please.
S'il vous plaît, cela me plaît beaucoup.
Please, I like that very much.
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