How to Say Please in French, A Friendly Guide

Let’s talk about one of the most essential words in any language: “please.” In French, we don’t have a short, snappy equivalent like “please” in English or “bitte” in German. Instead, we go with a full phrase.

The Standard Versions

• S’il vous plaît. Please (formal or plural)
• S’il te plaît. Please (informal, singular)

Literally, these mean “if it pleases you.” A bit longer, sure, but it carries a nice touch of courtesy, don’t you think?

When and How to Use “S’il vous plaît”

Use s’il vous plaît when speaking to:

• someone you don’t know,
• someone older or in a formal context,
• or when addressing more than one person.

Examples:

• Installez-vous, s’il vous plaît.
  Please, have a seat.
  → To a group entering a meeting room.
  
• Un verre de vin rouge, s’il vous plaît.
  A glass of red wine, please.
  → To a waiter at a restaurant.
  
• Vous avez l’heure, s’il vous plaît ?
  Do you have the time, please?
  → To a stranger on the street.
  🎵 See also: Louise Attaque – Vous avez l’heure
  Watch here
  
• Par ici, s’il vous plaît.
  This way, please.
  → At a cashier or at an airport.

When to Use “S’il te plaît”

This is the go-to form for friends, family, or anyone you’re on tu terms with.

• Passe-moi le sel, s’il te plaît.
  Pass me the salt, please.

In real conversation, French people often shorten s’il te plaît into a more casual, blended form like:

• Tu me passes l’eau, steplait ?
  (Can you pass me the water, please?)
  → Super informal and common in spoken French!

Word Order: Beginning or End?

Most of the time, s’il vous plaît or s’il te plaît comes at the end of the sentence.
But when you want to get someone’s attention or be a bit more emphatic, put it at the beginning:

• S’il vous plaît, avancez.
  Please move forward.
  → At airport boarding gates
  
• S’il vous plaît, la même chose.
  Same again, please.
  → Asking for a refill at a bar

On Its Own

Just like “excuse me” or “pardon” in English, s’il vous plaît can be used alone to politely get someone’s attention.

🎭 See also: Florence Foresti – L’addition
Watch here

Or, when someone’s behavior is really getting on your nerves:

• S’il te plaît, arrête.
  Please stop.
  → To a noisy child or a talkative friend 😉
  

In Writing and Texting

For casual written messages, like texts or notes, it’s totally fine to abbreviate:

• stp = s’il te plaît
  Réponds-moi stp. → Please answer me.
• svp = s’il vous plaît
  Partagez l’info, svp. → Please share the info.

But in emails or anything more formal, skip the abbreviations and write it out fully.

Different Ways to Say “Please” in French (Without Actually Saying “S’il vous plaît”)

Sometimes, French uses entirely different expressions to soften a request or give instructions. These are useful in written or formal contexts.

The Polite Instruction

• Merci de fermer la porte d’entrée.
  Please close the front door.
  → On signs in apartment buildings

The Official Request

• Je vous remercie de bien vouloir faire le nécessaire dès réception de la présente.
  Thank you for taking the necessary steps upon receiving this letter.
  → In a formal email or letter, e.g. to your bank

The Airline Politeness Classic

• Veuillez maintenir votre ceinture attachée pendant toute la durée du vol.
  Please keep your seatbelt fastened during the entire flight.
  
• Veuillez vérifier que vous n’avez rien oublié à bord… Merci de votre attention et bon voyage !
  Please check you haven’t left anything behind… Thank you and have a nice trip!

The Impersonal “Polite Notice”

• Prière de déposer vos serviettes au sol…
  Please place your towels on the floor if you’d like them changed.
  → Seen in hotel bathrooms
  
• Prière de bien vouloir respecter le silence…
  Please maintain silence after 10pm.
  
• Prière de ne pas fumer dans les chambres.
  Please do not smoke in the rooms.

What About “Yes, Please”?

Unlike English, French doesn’t usually respond to offers with just “s’il vous plaît.” Instead, you have a few charming options:

• Oui, volontiers.
  Yes, gladly.
  → Would you like some coffee?
  → Oui, volontiers.
  
• Avec plaisir.
  With pleasure.
  → Want to come over for dinner sometime?
  → Avec plaisir !

So if someone offers you something, go with volontiers or avec plaisir, you’ll sound natural and gracious.

Once you’ve learned to say please, it’s just as useful to know how to say no in French for everyday conversations.

Final Thoughts

You can never say “s’il vous plaît” or “s’il te plaît” too much in French. If anything, it’s better to err on the side of politeness.

It’s a small word (well, phrase!) but a big deal in everyday life. In fact, when kids forget to say it, adults will cheerfully remind them:

“Et le mot magique ?”
(And what’s the magic word?)

Soon enough, kids turn around and remind us when we forget. The circle of politeness is complete. 😊

Polite phrases are important, but so are greetings, learn how to say hi in French to start conversations the right way.

Along with polite expressions, you can also learn how to greet someone at night with good evening in French.