How to Ask for Extra Towels in French: A Beginner's Guide
Learn to request additional towels from housekeeping in French, using polite phrases like 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires ?' and understand delivery instructions.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When staying in a French-speaking country, knowing how to ask for extra towels can make your stay more comfortable. This lesson teaches you the essential phrases to request more towels politely, specify the quantity, and understand when and how they will be delivered. You'll practice a simple dialogue and learn to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you'll be able to handle this situation with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- politely ask for two more towels in French.
- understand and respond to questions about towel delivery.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?
Could I have two extra towels, please?
poo-reh-zhuh ah-vwahr duh sehr-vyeht sew-pleh-mahn-tehr, seel voo pleh
Polite request using the conditional 'pourrais-je'. Use in formal situations, like at a hotel front desk or when calling housekeeping.
Est-ce que je peux avoir deux serviettes de plus ?
Can I have two more towels?
ess kuh zhuh puh ah-vwahr duh sehr-vyeht duh pluh
Slightly less formal but still polite. 'De plus' means 'more' or 'extra'. Suitable for most situations.
J'aurais besoin de deux serviettes supplémentaires.
I would need two extra towels.
zhoh-reh buh-zwahn duh duh sehr-vyeht sew-pleh-mahn-tehr
Expresses a need politely. 'Avoir besoin de' means 'to need'. Use when you want to emphasize necessity.
Quand pouvez-vous les apporter ?
When can you bring them?
kahn poo-veh voo leh zah-por-teh
Ask about delivery time. 'Les' refers to the towels. Use after making your request.
Pouvez-vous les déposer devant ma porte ?
Can you leave them in front of my door?
poo-veh voo leh deh-po-zeh duh-vahn mah port
Request a specific delivery location. 'Déposer' means 'to drop off' or 'leave'. Useful if you're not in the room.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
To ask for extra items politely, use 'Pourrais-je avoir...' (Could I have...) or 'Est-ce que je peux avoir...' (Can I have...). Both are followed by the item and quantity. For example: 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires ?' (Could I have two extra towels?) or 'Est-ce que je peux avoir une couverture supplémentaire ?' (Can I have an extra blanket?). The word 'supplémentaire' means 'extra' and agrees in number: 'supplémentaires' for plural. You can also use 'de plus' after the noun: 'deux serviettes de plus'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you need more towels in a hotel, Airbnb, or any accommodation. If you're speaking to housekeeping staff, 'Pourrais-je avoir...' is very polite. If you're at the reception desk, you can also use it. For a more casual tone, like with a friend who works at a hotel, 'Est-ce que je peux avoir...' is fine. Always add 's'il vous plaît' to be polite. When asking about delivery, you can say 'Quand pouvez-vous les apporter ?' (When can you bring them?) or 'Pouvez-vous les apporter à ma chambre ?' (Can you bring them to my room?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?
Hello, could I have two extra towels, please?bohn-zhoor, poo-reh-zhuh ah-vwahr duh sehr-vyeht sew-pleh-mahn-tehr, seel voo plehBien sûr. Vous les voulez pour quand ?
Of course. When do you want them for?byan sewr. voo leh voo-leh poor kahnDans une heure, si possible. Pouvez-vous les déposer devant ma porte ?
In an hour, if possible. Can you leave them in front of my door?dahn zewn uhr, see po-see-bluh. poo-veh voo leh deh-po-zeh duh-vahn mah portPas de problème. Je les apporterai dans une heure.
No problem. I will bring them in an hour.pah duh pro-blem. zhuh leh zah-por-tuh-reh dahn zewn uhrA little context goes a long way
In France, politeness is highly valued. Always start with 'Bonjour' before making a request. Using 's'il vous plaît' is essential. The conditional 'pourrais-je' is more polite than 'est-ce que je peux'. In Quebec, you might hear 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes de plus ?' but the standard French phrases are widely understood. Tipping housekeeping is not customary in France, but leaving a small note of thanks is appreciated.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je veux deux serviettes' (I want two towels), which sounds demanding and rude.
Try this instead: Use 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes, s'il vous plaît ?' or 'Est-ce que je peux avoir deux serviettes, s'il vous plaît ?' to be polite. For example: 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for two extra towels politely in French?
Show a sample answer
Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?
This uses the polite conditional 'pourrais-je' and includes 's'il vous plaît'. 'Est-ce que je peux avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?' is also correct and slightly less formal.
2What does 'Quand pouvez-vous les apporter ?' mean?
Show a sample answer
When can you bring them?
'Quand' means 'when', 'pouvez-vous' means 'can you', 'les' refers to the towels, and 'apporter' means 'to bring'. This question asks about delivery time.
3How would you ask the housekeeper to leave the towels in front of your door?
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous les déposer devant ma porte ?
'Pouvez-vous' means 'can you', 'les déposer' means 'leave them', 'devant' means 'in front of', and 'ma porte' means 'my door'. This is a polite request for a specific delivery location.
To request extra towels in French, use 'Pourrais-je avoir deux serviettes supplémentaires, s'il vous plaît ?' or 'Est-ce que je peux avoir deux serviettes de plus ?' Always add 's'il vous plaît' and start with 'Bonjour'. For delivery, ask 'Quand pouvez-vous les apporter ?' and specify where to leave them.
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