How to Say ‘Can I have the starter?’ in French
Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
zhuh puh prahn-dr l ahn-tray
[zhuh puh prahn-dr l ahn-tray]
🇫🇷 In France: This will be understood, but for ordering people more often say [Je voudrais l'entrée] or [Je prends l'entrée]. [Prendre] here sounds a bit like "have/take" rather than asking permission.
Phrase Breakdown
Je
[zhuh]
I
First-person subject pronoun used when ordering for yourself.
Au début du repas, je demande : Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
At the start of the meal, I ask: Can I have the starter?
peux
[puh]
can
From 'pouvoir'; used to ask permission or make a polite request.
Quand le serveur arrive, je dis : Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
When the server arrives, I say: Can I have the starter?
prendre
[prahn-dr]
to have / to take
Common verb for taking or ordering food in a restaurant.
Si j'ai faim, je demande : Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
If I’m hungry, I ask: Can I have the starter?
l'
[l]
the
Shortened form of 'la' or 'le' before a vowel sound.
Sur la carte, je demande : Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
Looking at the menu, I ask: Can I have the starter?
entrée
[ahn-tray]
starter
The first course of a meal; also called an appetizer.
Avant le plat, je demande : Je peux prendre l'entrée ?
Before the main dish, I ask: Can I have the starter?
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