French for Accepting Invitations: Say 'I'd Love to Come' and Ask What to Bring
Learn to accept an invitation warmly in French with 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' and ask what to bring using 'Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?' Includes pronunciation, register, and practice.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When a French-speaking friend invites you somewhere, saying yes warmly and offering to bring something shows good manners and keeps the conversation friendly. In this lesson, you will learn a key phrase for accepting with enthusiasm — 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' — and a polite question for asking what to bring: 'Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?' You will also learn a few variations for different levels of formality and see how they work in a short dialogue. This is not about declining; it is about saying yes clearly and kindly.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation in French using 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir'.
- ask what to bring using 'Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?'
- use a more casual or more formal variant depending on who I am talking to.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
J'aimerais beaucoup venir.
I'd love to come.
zhaym-RAY boh-KOO vuh-NEER
Warm, polite acceptance. Use with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. The conditional 'j'aimerais' softens the statement and sounds friendly rather than overly eager.
Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?
What can I bring?
kess-kuh zhuh puh ah-por-TAY
Standard, neutral way to ask what to bring. Works in most situations, from casual dinners to office parties.
Je peux apporter quelque chose ?
Can I bring something?
zhuh puh ah-por-TAY kel-kuh shohz
Slightly more casual and open-ended. Use when you want to offer without putting pressure on the host to assign a specific item.
Avec plaisir !
With pleasure! / I'd be happy to!
ah-VEK play-ZEER
A short, enthusiastic way to accept. Often used as a standalone response before adding details like 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir.'
Qu'est-ce que je pourrais apporter ?
What could I bring?
kess-kuh zhuh poo-RAY ah-por-TAY
More formal or tentative. The conditional 'pourrais' makes the question softer and is useful with hosts you do not know well or in professional settings.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept an invitation and offer to contribute, use two short sentences: first 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' (I'd love to come), then 'Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?' (What can I bring?). The conditional 'j'aimerais' is more polite than 'je veux' (I want). For a more formal tone, replace 'je peux' with 'je pourrais': 'Qu'est-ce que je pourrais apporter ?' You can also add 'Avec plaisir !' at the start for extra warmth: 'Avec plaisir ! J'aimerais beaucoup venir. Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?'
When to use it
Use these phrases when you genuinely want to attend and want to help. 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' is safe with friends, family, and colleagues. If the invitation is formal (a dinner with your boss, a wedding), prefer 'Je serais ravi(e) de venir' (I would be delighted to come) and 'Qu'est-ce que je pourrais apporter ?' In very casual settings, 'Je peux apporter quelque chose ?' is fine. Avoid using 'Je veux venir' — it sounds blunt, like a demand rather than a polite acceptance.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu es libre samedi soir ? On fait un dîner chez nous.
Are you free Saturday evening? We're having a dinner at our place.tew ay LEE-bruh sahm-dee SWAR? on fay un dee-NYAY shay nooAvec plaisir ! J'aimerais beaucoup venir. Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?
With pleasure! I'd love to come. What can I bring?ah-VEK play-ZEER! zhaym-RAY boh-KOO vuh-NEER. kess-kuh zhuh puh ah-por-TAY?Juste un dessert, si tu veux. Mais ne t'inquiète pas, l'essentiel c'est toi !
Just a dessert, if you like. But don't worry, the main thing is you!zhewst un day-SER, see tew vuh. may nuh tank-YET pah, lay-son-SYEL say twah!D'accord, j'apporte une tarte aux pommes. À samedi !
Okay, I'll bring an apple tart. See you Saturday!dah-KOR, zhah-PORT ewn tart oh POM. ah sahm-DEE!A little context goes a long way
In France, it is common to bring something small when invited to someone's home — a dessert, wine, or flowers — but the host may say 'Ne t'inquiète pas' (don't worry about it) to be polite. Offering to bring something is appreciated, but wait for the host's answer before deciding. In more formal settings, use 'vous' forms and the conditional 'je pourrais' to show respect. In Quebec and other Francophone regions, the same phrases work, though casual invitations may use 'souper' instead of 'dîner' for the evening meal.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je veux venir' to accept an invitation.
Try this instead: 'Je veux venir' sounds like 'I want to come' — blunt and demanding. Use 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' instead. Example: 'Avec plaisir ! J'aimerais beaucoup venir.' This sounds warm and polite.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'd love to come' in French?
Show a sample answer
J'aimerais beaucoup venir.
'J'aimerais' is the conditional of 'aimer', making the phrase polite. 'Beaucoup' adds enthusiasm. A valid alternative is 'Je serais ravi(e) de venir' in more formal contexts.
2Ask 'What can I bring?' using the standard phrase.
Show a sample answer
Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?
This is the neutral, widely understood form. In formal situations, you can also say 'Qu'est-ce que je pourrais apporter ?' with the conditional.
3Your boss invites you to a dinner. Which acceptance phrase is more appropriate: 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' or 'Je veux venir'?
Show a sample answer
J'aimerais beaucoup venir.
The conditional 'j'aimerais' is polite and suitable for formal contexts. 'Je veux venir' is too direct and can sound rude. You could also use 'Je serais ravi(e) de venir' for extra formality.
To accept an invitation warmly in French, say 'J'aimerais beaucoup venir' and then ask 'Qu'est-ce que je peux apporter ?' Use 'Avec plaisir !' for extra enthusiasm, and switch to 'Je pourrais' in formal situations.
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