In any language, a simple “please” can make all the difference. However, in French, it’s not always so simple. That’s because you have to know which phrase to use and when. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to say “please” in French, covering the formal and informal versions, common abbreviations, and other polite expressions so you can sound natural and polite in any conversation.
The Two Main Ways to Say “Please”
When you say “please” in French, your choice of words depends on who you’re talking to. The difference is based on the formal vous and the informal tu.
Formal S’il vous plaît
First, let’s look at the formal way to say “please.” It literally means “if it pleases you.” You use s’il vous plaît when you are talking to someone you don’t know well, to a group of people, or in any professional setting where you need to show respect. For instance, if you are in a restaurant and you want to order food, you would say, “Je prendrais un café, s’il vous plaît. I’ll take a coffee, please.”
Click here to hear how to pronounce s’il vous plaît.
Casual S’il te plaît
Next, we have the informal way to say “please.” It also means “if it pleases you,” just like the formal version. But you use s’il te plaît when you are talking to a friend, a family member, a child, or anyone you are on a first-name basis with. For example, you can ask a friend, “Passe-moi le sel, s’il te plaît. Pass me the salt, please.”
Click here to hear how to pronounce s’il te plaît.
Spoken and Written Short Cuts
Moreover, in everyday conversation and in text messages, French speakers often use shorter, more casual versions of “please.”
Contracted “Si-vous-plaît”
In fast-paced conversations, people will often contract the phrase so that s’il sounds like si: si-vous-plaît. This is a very common way to hear the formal phrase.
Texting Abbreviations: SVP and STP
In text messages or online chat, you will almost never see the full phrase written out. Instead, people use abbreviations:
- SVP or svp are for s’il vous plaît
- Meanwhile, STP or stp are for s’il te plaît
Colloquial “Steuplait”
Additionally, in a very casual conversations, you might hear the informal phrase shortened to just steuplait. This is a contraction that’s considered slang.
How to Say “Yes, Please”
Finally, what if you want to say “yes, please?” Sometimes, a simple “oui, s’il vous plaît” just isn’t enough. So, here are some other options that are more fluid and natural:
Avec plaisir
This phrase literally means “with pleasure.” It is a great way to say “yes, please” to a person’s offer. For example, if someone asks you if you would like a cup of coffee, you can simply respond, “Avec plaisir.”
Volontiers
This is another excellent way to say “yes, please.” The word means “willingly” and is a very polite and friendly way to accept an offer.
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