How to Say ‘Can I’ in French
Puis-je
pwee zhuh
[pwee zhuh]
💬 Usage Tip: In questions like [puis-je], French often flips the verb and subject pronoun: compare [je peux] but [puis-je ?]. This [puis-] form is mostly used in polite, formal questions.
Phrase Breakdown
Puis
[pwee]
Can I
A polite way to ask for permission to do something.
Puis-je réserver une table ?
Can I reserve a table?
-je
[zhuh]
I
Refers to oneself as the speaker.
Puis-je venir ?
Can I come?
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