French for Sending a Package at the Post Office
Learn to say 'I'd like to send this package to...' in French and understand shipping options at La Poste, with polite phrases and a realistic dialogue.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Sending a package in France means talking to a postal clerk at La Poste. You'll need to say what you want, where it's going, and choose a shipping speed. The key phrase is 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis à...' (I'd like to send this package to...). In this lesson you'll learn polite request forms, how to ask about delivery times and tracking, and how to understand the clerk's questions. We'll focus on standard French used in mainland France, with notes on Quebec usage where it differs.
By the end, you can…
- politely say I want to send a package to a specific destination.
- ask about shipping options, prices, and delivery times.
- understand and respond to a postal clerk's questions about contents and speed.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je voudrais envoyer ce colis à Montréal.
I'd like to send this package to Montreal.
zhuh voo-DREH ahn-vwah-YAY suh koh-LEE ah mon-ray-AL
Standard polite request. 'Je voudrais' is softer than 'Je veux'. Use 'ce colis' for a package; 'ce paquet' also works but is slightly less formal.
C'est pour envoyer aux États-Unis.
It's to send to the United States.
say poor ahn-vwah-YAY oh zay-TAH zew-NEE
Useful when the clerk asks what you're sending. 'Aux' is the plural contraction of 'à + les'. For a single country, use 'en' or 'au': 'en France', 'au Canada'.
Quels sont les délais de livraison ?
What are the delivery times?
kel son lay day-LEH duh lee-vray-ZON
Ask this to compare standard vs. express. 'Délai' means time frame. In Quebec, you may hear 'délai de livraison' as well, but 'livraison' is standard everywhere.
Est-ce que je peux avoir un numéro de suivi ?
Can I get a tracking number?
ess kuh zhuh puh ah-VWAR un new-may-ROH duh swee-VEE
Use 'suivi' for tracking. In Canada, 'suivi' is also used, but 'repérage' is not common for postal tracking.
Je voudrais l'envoyer en recommandé, s'il vous plaît.
I'd like to send it by registered mail, please.
zhuh voo-DREH lahn-vwah-YAY ahn ruh-koh-mahn-DAY, seel voo PLEH
'En recommandé' means registered mail with proof of delivery. It's more expensive but gives a receipt and sometimes insurance.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis à + [destination]'. 'Je voudrais' is the conditional of 'vouloir', used for polite requests. For countries, use 'à' + city, but for countries use 'en' for feminine countries (en France), 'au' for masculine (au Canada), 'aux' for plural (aux États-Unis). Example: 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis en Belgique.' For a person, use 'à' + name: 'à ma sœur'. To ask for a service, add 'en recommandé' or 'avec suivi'.
When to use it
Use these phrases at the counter when the clerk asks 'Vous désirez ?' or 'C'est pour quoi ?'. Start with 'Bonjour' and then 'Je voudrais...'. If you don't understand, say 'Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?'. To ask about cost, say 'C'est combien ?' or 'Quel est le tarif ?'. For speed, ask 'Quel est le délai le plus rapide ?'. In Quebec, you might hear 'Postes Canada' instead of 'La Poste', but the phrases remain the same. Always confirm the destination: 'C'est bien pour la France ?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce colis à Lyon.
Hello, I'd like to send this package to Lyon.bon-ZHOOR, zhuh voo-DREH ahn-vwah-YAY suh koh-LEE ah lee-YONTrès bien. Qu'y a-t-il à l'intérieur ?
Very well. What's inside?tray BYEN. kee ah-TEEL ah lan-tay-RYURCe sont des livres. Quels sont les délais de livraison ?
They're books. What are the delivery times?suh son day LEE-vruh. kel son lay day-LEH duh lee-vray-ZONEn standard, trois à cinq jours. En express, 24 heures. Voulez-vous un suivi ?
Standard, three to five days. Express, 24 hours. Do you want tracking?ahn stahn-DAR, trwah ah sank zhoor. ahn ex-PRESS, van-kat-RUHR. voo-lay-VOO un swee-VEEA little context goes a long way
In France, postal services are provided by La Poste, a public company. Clerks are generally formal and expect a 'Bonjour' before any request. Using 'Je voudrais' is standard politeness; 'Je veux' can sound abrupt. In Quebec, Canada Post handles mail, and you may hear 'colis' or 'paquet' interchangeably. In both regions, it's common to be asked about contents for security and customs. For international packages, you'll need a customs declaration. Always keep your receipt.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je veux envoyer ce colis à les États-Unis' instead of 'aux États-Unis'.
Try this instead: The preposition 'à' contracts with the plural article 'les' to form 'aux'. So say 'aux États-Unis', 'aux Pays-Bas'. For feminine countries, use 'en': 'en France', 'en Italie'. For masculine countries, use 'au': 'au Canada', 'au Japon'. Example: 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis aux États-Unis.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'I'd like to send this package to Belgium'?
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais envoyer ce colis en Belgique.
'Belgique' is feminine, so use 'en'. 'Je voudrais' is the polite conditional. 'Ce colis' is the standard word for package.
2Ask the clerk for the delivery times.
Show a sample answer
Quels sont les délais de livraison ?
This is the standard question. You could also ask 'C'est combien de temps ?' but 'délais de livraison' is more precise.
3Say 'I'd like to send it by registered mail, please.'
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais l'envoyer en recommandé, s'il vous plaît.
'L'' replaces 'le colis'. 'En recommandé' means registered mail. Adding 's'il vous plaît' makes it polite.
Use 'Je voudrais envoyer ce colis à...' for polite requests, and remember 'en' for feminine countries, 'au' for masculine, 'aux' for plural. Ask 'Quels sont les délais de livraison ?' to compare options.
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