How to Say 'I'd Like to Send This Letter' in French and Understand Postage
Learn to mail a letter in French: ask to send it, buy stamps, and understand postage terms with polite phrases and cultural tips.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Sending a letter in a French-speaking country involves more than just dropping it in a mailbox. You'll need to explain what you want, ask about postage, and understand the clerk's questions. This lesson teaches you the key phrases to confidently handle a letter at the post office. You'll learn how to say 'I'd like to send this letter,' ask for stamps, and discuss postage rates. We'll focus on standard French used in France, with notes on Canadian and Belgian variations where relevant. By the end, you'll be able to complete the transaction smoothly.
By the end, you can…
- ask to send a letter using a polite conditional phrase.
- ask for stamps and understand postage-related vocabulary.
- respond to basic questions from a postal clerk.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.
I'd like to send this letter.
zhuh voo-DREH ahn-vwah-YAY set LEH-truh
The standard polite way to state your request at a post office. Use 'voudrais' (conditional of 'vouloir') to soften the request. In Quebec, you may also hear 'J'aimerais envoyer cette lettre,' which is equally polite.
Combien de timbres faut-il pour cette lettre ?
How many stamps are needed for this letter?
kohn-BYEN duh TAM-bruh foh-TEEL poor set LEH-truh
Ask this to find out the number of stamps required. 'Faut-il' is a common impersonal expression meaning 'is it necessary.' Alternatively, you can ask 'Combien de timbres pour cette lettre ?' which is slightly more casual.
Je voudrais trois timbres, s'il vous plaît.
I'd like three stamps, please.
zhuh voo-DREH trwah TAM-bruh seel voo PLEH
Use this to buy a specific number of stamps. Replace 'trois' with any number. Always add 's'il vous plaît' for politeness. In Belgium, 'timbres' is standard; in Canada, you might hear 'timbres' as well, but sometimes 'étampes' in older usage (now rare).
Quel est le tarif pour une lettre prioritaire ?
What is the rate for a priority letter?
kel eh luh ta-REEF poor oon LEH-truh pree-oh-ree-TAIR
Ask about the cost for a specific service. 'Tarif' means rate or price. 'Prioritaire' means priority. In France, 'lettre prioritaire' is a common service; in Canada, you might ask about 'courrier prioritaire' or 'Xpresspost'.
Où puis-je acheter des timbres ?
Where can I buy stamps?
oo pweezh ash-TAY day TAM-bruh
Useful if you're not at a post office. In France, you can buy stamps at a 'bureau de tabac' (tobacco shop) as well as at 'La Poste.' In Quebec, you can buy them at 'Postes Canada' or some convenience stores.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The conditional 'je voudrais' is your go-to for polite requests. It literally means 'I would like' and is softer than 'je veux' (I want). For example: 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis' (I'd like to send this package) or 'Je voudrais acheter des timbres' (I'd like to buy some stamps). You can also use 'j'aimerais' (I would like) as an alternative: 'J'aimerais envoyer cette lettre.' Both are correct and widely used. To ask about postage, use 'Combien de timbres faut-il pour...?' or 'Quel est le tarif pour...?' These patterns work for letters, postcards, and small parcels.
When to use it
Use these phrases at a post office ('La Poste' in France, 'Postes Canada' in Quebec, 'bpost' in Belgium) or when buying stamps from a vendor. Start with a greeting: 'Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.' The clerk may ask 'En recommandé ?' (Registered?) or 'Prioritaire ou normal ?' (Priority or standard?). Respond with 'Normal, s'il vous plaît' or 'Prioritaire, s'il vous plaît.' If you need to know the cost, ask 'Combien ça coûte ?' (How much does it cost?). In Canada, you might hear 'courrier recommandé' for registered mail. Always use 'vous' with strangers.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.
Hello, I'd like to send this letter.bohn-ZHOOR, zhuh voo-DREH ahn-vwah-YAY set LEH-truhD'accord. En recommandé ou en envoi normal ?
Okay. Registered or standard mail?da-KOR. ahn ruh-koh-mahn-DAY oo ahn ahn-vwah nor-MALEn envoi normal, s'il vous plaît. Combien de timbres faut-il ?
Standard mail, please. How many stamps are needed?ahn ahn-vwah nor-MAL, seel voo PLEH. kohn-BYEN duh TAM-bruh foh-TEELIl faut un timbre à 1,20 euro. Vous en voulez combien ?
You need one stamp at 1.20 euros. How many do you want?eel foh tuh TAM-bruh ah un euro van. voo zahn voo-LAY kohn-BYENA little context goes a long way
In France, 'La Poste' is the main postal service, and you can buy stamps at 'bureaux de tabac' as well. In Quebec, 'Postes Canada' handles mail, and stamps are sold at post offices and some pharmacies. In Belgium, 'bpost' is the national provider. Always greet the clerk with 'Bonjour' before making a request; it's considered rude to omit it. When writing a letter, the address format differs: in France, the postal code comes before the city (e.g., '75001 Paris'), while in Canada, the postal code is alphanumeric and comes after the city (e.g., 'Montréal, QC H3Z 2Y7').
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je veux envoyer cette lettre' instead of 'Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.'
Try this instead: 'Je veux' means 'I want' and can sound abrupt or demanding. Use 'Je voudrais' (I would like) for politeness. For example, say 'Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre' at the post office. If you're among friends, 'Je veux' is acceptable, but in service interactions, always prefer the conditional.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'I'd like to send this letter' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.
'Je voudrais' is the conditional form of 'vouloir,' used for polite requests. 'Envoyer' means 'to send,' and 'cette lettre' means 'this letter.' You could also say 'J'aimerais envoyer cette lettre,' which is equally polite.
2Ask the postal clerk how many stamps you need for your letter.
Show a sample answer
Combien de timbres faut-il pour cette lettre ?
This question uses 'faut-il' (is it necessary) to ask about the number of stamps. Alternatively, you can say 'Combien de timbres pour cette lettre ?' which is slightly more informal but still correct.
3You want to buy five stamps. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais cinq timbres, s'il vous plaît.
Replace 'cinq' with any number. Adding 's'il vous plaît' is essential for politeness. In Quebec, you might also hear 'Je voudrais cinq timbres, s'il vous plaît' with the same structure.
Use 'Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre' to start, ask 'Combien de timbres faut-il ?' for postage, and always add 's'il vous plaît.' Remember to greet with 'Bonjour' and use 'vous' with postal staff.
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