How to Say ‘May I speak to you for a moment?’ in French
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
eh suh kuh zhuh puh voo par-LAY uhn moh-MAHN
[eh suh kuh zhuh puh voo par-LAY uhn moh-MAHN]
💬 Usage Tip: [Est-ce que] is a very common way to make a question without changing the basic word order. You can reuse the pattern easily: [Est-ce que vous avez une minute ?]
🇫🇷 In France: This is polite and appropriate for a student speaking to a teacher. It sounds more respectful than jumping straight into your question.
Phrase Breakdown
Est-ce que je peux
eh suh kuh zhuh puh
Can I
A common spoken French way to ask permission in a polite, neutral form.
Est-ce que je peux entrer ?
Can I come in?
Words in this phrase
Est
[eh]
is
Part of the question pattern est-ce que, used to form a yes/no question.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
-ce
[suh]
question marker
This is part of est-ce que, a fixed expression that introduces a question in French.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
que
[kuh]
that
In est-ce que, que is part of the standard question structure rather than meaning that by itself.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
je
[zhuh]
I
The subject pronoun used when you speak about yourself.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
peux
[puh]
can / may
From the verb pouvoir; used to ask permission or say what you are able to do.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
Vous parler
voo par-LAY
Speak to you / talk to you
Uses the polite plural/formal form vous, suitable with strangers or in respectful contexts.
Je peux vous parler ?
Can I talk to you?
Words in this phrase
vous
[voo]
you
The polite singular or plural form of you, used for teachers.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
parler
[par-LAY]
to speak
The infinitive verb meaning to speak or talk.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
Un moment
uhn moh-MAHN
A moment / a little while
Used to mean a short amount of time.
Attendez un moment, s'il vous plaît.
Wait a moment, please.
Words in this phrase
un
[uhn]
a / one
An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
moment
[moh-MAHN]
moment
A short amount of time; often used when asking to speak briefly.
Est-ce que je peux vous parler un moment ?
May I speak to you for a moment?
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