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How to Say ‘I'd like to book a table, please.’ in French

Je voudrais réserver une table, s'il vous plaît.

zhuh voo-dray ray-zair-vay ewn tahbl seel eel voo pleh

[zhuh voo-dray ray-zair-vay ewn tahbl seel eel voo pleh]

💬 Usage Tip: Je voudrais plus a verb is the polite way to ask for anything. Swap the verb: Je voudrais commander "I'd like to order".

Phrase Breakdown

Je voudrais réserver

zhuh voo-dray ray-zair-vay

I would like to book

'Je voudrais' is the polite 'I would like'. Say 'zhuh voo-DRAY ray-zair-VAY'.

Example

Je voudrais réserver une chambre.

I would like to book a room.

Words in this phrase

Je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

voudrais

[voo-dray]

would like

A polite conditional form of vouloir, used to say would like.

Example

Je voudrais une table près de la fenêtre.

I would like a table near the window.

réserver

[ray-zair-vay]

to book / to reserve

Verb meaning to reserve or book a spot, seat, or appointment.

Example

Je voudrais réserver une place pour jeudi.

I would like to book a spot for Thursday.

une table,

ewn tahbl

a table,

'Une' is feminine. Round your lips for the 'u': 'ewn TAH-bluh'.

Example

Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.

A table for two, please.

Words in this phrase

une

[ewn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before feminine singular nouns.

Example

Une rencontre comme celle-ci peut ouvrir des portes.

A meeting like this can open doors.

table

[tahbl]

table

A noun meaning table, often in a restaurant context.

Example

Nous cherchons une table pour deux.

We are looking for a table for two.

s'il vous plaît.

seel eel voo pleh

please.

The formal 'please'. Say 'seel voo PLAY'.

Example

Un café, s'il vous plaît.

A coffee, please.

Words in this phrase

s'

[seel]

if

Part of the fixed polite expression s'il vous plaît, literally if it pleases you.

Example

S'il vous plaît, confirmez la réservation.

Please confirm the reservation.

il

[eel]

it

In il y a, il does not refer to a person; it is part of the expression meaning “there is/there are.”

Example

Est-ce qu'il y a un parking sur place ?

Is there parking on site?

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

plaît

[pleh]

pleases

From plaire, to please; part of the expression meaning please.

Example

S'il vous plaît, cela me plaît beaucoup.

Please, I like that very much.

Related guides

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.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.

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