French at the Post Office: Sending a Letter

Asking to send a letter

The first thing you need is a polite way to say what you want to do. The line «Je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.» means "I'd like to send this letter." You can use it when you arrive at the counter and hand over your letter. If you want to greet the clerk first, the line «Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer cette lettre.» means "Hello, I'd like to send this letter." Both lines express the same request; the second simply adds a greeting at the start. Say the line slowly, then repeat it at a natural speed. Keep the letter in your hand or on the counter so the clerk can see what you are sending.

Asking about stamps

After you say you want to send a letter, you often need to ask about postage. The line «Combien de timbres faut-il pour cette lettre ?» means "How many stamps are needed for this letter?" Use it when you do not know how much postage to buy. If you already know you want a specific number, you can say «Je voudrais trois timbres, s'il vous plaît.», which means "I'd like three stamps, please." Notice that the first line is a question and the second is a request. In the recorded exchange, the clerk asks a question back: «D'accord. En recommandé ou en envoi normal ?» means "Okay. Registered or standard mail?" You answer with «En envoi normal, s'il vous plaît. Combien de timbres faut-il ?», which means "Standard mail, please. How many stamps are needed?" The clerk then replies with «Il faut un timbre à 1,20 euro. Vous en voulez combien ?», which means "You need one stamp at 1.20 euros. How many do you want?"

Understanding the clerk's reply

When the clerk answers, listen for the number of stamps and the price. In «Il faut un timbre à 1,20 euro. Vous en voulez combien ?» the clerk says you need one stamp and gives the price, then asks how many you want. That final question is your cue to give a number. If you want a different rate, you can ask «Quel est le tarif pour une lettre prioritaire ?», which means "What is the rate for a priority letter?" This is useful when you want faster delivery and need to know the cost. Practise reading the clerk's lines aloud too, so you can recognise them when you hear them. The exchange moves in a clear order: you greet and state your request, the clerk asks a question, you answer and ask about stamps, and the clerk gives the information and asks how many you want.

Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.

Checking available voices…

Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.

Common questions