Spelling a Name in French for Parcel Pickup
Learn the French alphabet and the key phrases to spell your name clearly for staff when collecting a parcel, plus how to confirm they wrote it down correctly.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you collect a parcel from a relay point or a locker, staff often need your name typed or written into their system. If your name is unusual or has a spelling that is not obvious in French, you will need to spell it out loud. This lesson teaches the French alphabet, the phrase 'Je vous épelle' (I'll spell it for you), and how to check that the name has been noted correctly with 'C'est bien noté ?'. You will practise letter by letter, including the French names for letters that differ from English, such as G, J, and Y.
By the end, you can…
- say the French alphabet and spell a name letter by letter.
- ask staff to confirm that my name has been written correctly.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je vous épelle mon nom.
I'll spell my name for you.
zhuh voo zay-PEL mon non
Use this to announce that you are about to spell something. 'Vous' here is polite and standard with staff.
Vous pouvez l'écrire, s'il vous plaît ?
Can you write it down, please?
voo poo-vay lay-KREER seel voo pleh
Useful if the staff member is listening but not writing. 'L'' refers to the name already mentioned.
C'est bien noté ?
Is that written down correctly?
seh byan no-TAY
Ask this after spelling to confirm the staff member has the right spelling.
Comment ça s'écrit ?
How is it spelled?
ko-mon sa say-KREE
Use this if you are unsure how a French name or word is spelled and want the staff member to spell it for you.
Je répète : M, A, R, I, E.
I'll repeat: M, A, R, I, E.
zhuh ray-PET: em, ah, er, ee, uh
Use this to repeat the letters slowly if the staff member did not catch them the first time.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Je vous épelle' + the letters. 'Je vous épelle : L, E, E.' means 'I'll spell it for you: L, E, E.' You can also say 'Je vous épelle mon nom' or 'Je vous épelle mon prénom' (my first name). After spelling, ask 'C'est bien noté ?' to confirm. If you need to repeat, say 'Je répète : ...' followed by the letters again. The verb 'épeler' means 'to spell', and 'noter' means 'to write down' or 'to note'. Both are regular -er verbs, so 'je vous épelle' and 'c'est noté' are the forms you will hear and use most.
When to use it
Use these phrases at a parcel relay or locker when staff ask for your name. Start with 'Bonjour' and then say 'Je vous épelle mon nom.' Spell slowly, pausing between letters. If the staff member looks unsure, repeat with 'Je répète : ...'. Finish with 'C'est bien noté ?' to check. If you are the one who needs the spelling, ask 'Comment ça s'écrit ?'. Keep your tone patient and friendly; staff deal with many names and will appreciate clear, slow spelling.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je viens chercher un colis. Je vous épelle mon nom : B, R, O, W, N.
Hello, I've come to collect a parcel. I'll spell my name for you: B, R, O, W, N.bon-ZHOOR, zhuh vyan sher-SHAY un ko-LEE. zhuh voo zay-PEL mon non: bay, er, oh, doo-bluh-vay, enTrès bien. Vous pouvez répéter la dernière lettre ?
Very well. Can you repeat the last letter?treh byan. voo poo-vay ray-pay-TAY la der-NYAIR let-ruhOui, bien sûr. N. Donc : B, R, O, W, N. C'est bien noté ?
Yes, of course. N. So: B, R, O, W, N. Is that written down correctly?wee, byan sewr. en. donk: bay, er, oh, doo-bluh-vay, en. seh byan no-TAYOui, c'est bien noté. Je cherche votre colis.
Yes, that's written down correctly. I'll look for your parcel.wee, seh byan no-TAY. zhuh shersh vot-ruh ko-LEEA little context goes a long way
In France, spelling a name aloud is common because many names have silent letters or variant spellings. Staff may use the French names for letters, which differ from English for G ('zhay'), J ('zhee'), and Y ('ee-grek'). If you are in Quebec or other Francophone regions, the letter names are the same, but staff may switch to English if they hear an English accent. It is polite to start with 'Bonjour' and to thank them with 'Merci' at the end.
One thing to watch for
Using English letter names, such as 'ay' for A or 'ee' for E, when spelling in French.
Try this instead: Use the French letter names: A is 'ah', E is 'uh', I is 'ee', and G is 'zhay'. For example, spell 'Léa' as 'L, uh, ah' (L, E, A), not 'el, ee, ay'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'll spell my name for you' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je vous épelle mon nom.
This is the standard polite phrase. 'Je vous épelle' means 'I spell for you', and 'mon nom' means 'my name'. You can also say 'Je vous épelle mon prénom' for your first name.
2What do you say to check that the staff member has written your name correctly?
Show a sample answer
C'est bien noté ?
This literally means 'Is it well noted?'. It is a natural way to confirm. You could also ask 'C'est correct ?' (Is it correct?), but 'C'est bien noté ?' is more specific to writing.
3Spell the name 'Julie' in French letter names.
Show a sample answer
J, U, L, I, E : zhee, oo, el, ee, uh.
J is 'zhee', U is 'oo', L is 'el', I is 'ee', and E is 'uh'. Remember that French letter names differ from English, especially for J and E.
Learn the French alphabet and the phrase 'Je vous épelle' to spell your name clearly, then confirm with 'C'est bien noté ?' before the staff member searches for your parcel.
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