French for Asking and Giving Permission with 'Pouvoir'
Learn to ask for and give permission in French using 'pouvoir' (can). Practice phrases like 'Je peux emprunter ton stylo ?' and respond politely.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, to ask for permission, you use the verb 'pouvoir' (to be able to/can). This lesson focuses on asking 'Can I...?' and giving or refusing permission. You'll learn the difference between permission and ability, and how to use 'pouvoir' in polite requests. We'll cover the essential phrases and a short dialogue to practice.
By the end, you can…
- ask for permission using 'Je peux...?' or 'Puis-je...?'
- give permission with 'Oui, tu peux' or 'Bien sûr'.
- refuse permission politely with 'Non, tu ne peux pas' or 'Désolé, ce n'est pas possible'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je peux emprunter ton stylo ?
Can I borrow your pen?
zhuh puh ahn-prun-tay tohn stee-lo
Informal, used with friends or peers. 'Tu' form.
Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ?
May I use your phone?
pweezh ew-tee-lee-zay votr tay-lay-fon
Formal, used with strangers or superiors. 'Vous' form.
Oui, bien sûr.
Yes, of course.
wee byan sewr
Common way to grant permission.
Non, désolé, ce n'est pas possible.
No, sorry, it's not possible.
nohn day-zo-lay, suh neh pah po-see-bluh
Polite refusal.
Est-ce que je peux sortir ?
Can I go out?
ess-kuh zhuh puh sor-teer
Using 'Est-ce que' for a yes/no question.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for permission, use 'Je peux' + infinitive, or invert for formality: 'Puis-je' + infinitive. For example: 'Je peux partir ?' (Can I leave?) or 'Puis-je entrer ?' (May I come in?). To answer, use 'Oui, tu peux' or 'Non, tu ne peux pas'. In formal contexts, use 'vous': 'Oui, vous pouvez'.
When to use it
Use 'Je peux...?' with people you know well (tutoiement). Use 'Puis-je...?' or 'Est-ce que je peux...?' in formal situations (vouvoiement). Note that 'pouvoir' also means 'to be able to', but context clarifies permission. For example, 'Je peux nager' means 'I can swim' (ability), while 'Je peux nager ?' with a question mark often means 'Can I swim?' (permission).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Salut, je peux emprunter ton stylo ?
Hi, can I borrow your pen?sa-lew, zhuh puh ahn-prun-tay tohn stee-loOui, bien sûr. Le voilà.
Yes, of course. Here it is.wee byan sewr. luh vwa-laMerci ! Et je peux aussi utiliser ton ordinateur ?
Thanks! And can I also use your computer?mair-see! ay zhuh puh oh-see ew-tee-lee-zay tohn or-dee-na-tuhrDésolé, non, j'en ai besoin maintenant.
Sorry, no, I need it now.day-zo-lay, nohn, zhahn ay buh-zwan mant-nahnA little context goes a long way
In French, politeness is crucial. Using 'Puis-je' is more formal than 'Est-ce que je peux'. When refusing, soften with 'désolé' or 'je suis désolé'. In Quebec, 'Je peux-tu' is informal but common; avoid in formal writing.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je peux' to mean 'May I' in formal contexts without inversion.
Try this instead: In formal situations, use 'Puis-je' instead of 'Je peux'. For example, say 'Puis-je entrer ?' rather than 'Je peux entrer ?' when speaking to a superior.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Can I sit here?' informally?
Show a sample answer
Je peux m'asseoir ici ?
This uses 'Je peux' + infinitive 'm'asseoir' and 'ici'. It's informal because it uses 'je' without inversion. Alternatively, 'Est-ce que je peux m'asseoir ici ?' is also correct.
2How do you politely refuse permission?
Show a sample answer
Non, désolé, ce n'est pas possible.
This phrase includes an apology and a reason. You could also say 'Je suis désolé, mais non.' Both are polite.
3Translate: 'May I use your phone?' formally.
Show a sample answer
Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ?
This uses inversion 'Puis-je' and 'votre' for formal 'your'. 'Est-ce que je peux utiliser votre téléphone ?' is also formal but less elegant.
Use 'Je peux' or 'Puis-je' to ask for permission. Remember to match formality with 'tu' or 'vous', and soften refusals with 'désolé'.
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