A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Can you call me a taxi" in French
Ask for a taxi in France with this polite and standard French phrase.
Pouvez-vous me commander un taxi ?
poo-VAY voo muh kom-ahn-DAY uhn TAK-seeneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you need to arrange a taxi, for example, at a hotel reception, a restaurant, or from a taxi stand. It's a clear and direct way to get the help you need.
Alternatives
- Est-ce que vous pouvez me commander un taxi ?Slightly more formal structure, very common.
- Vous pouvez me commander un taxi ?More direct, common in spoken French.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'commander'
The 'r' at the end is pronounced, don't drop it like in English 'order'.
Silent 's' in 'vous'
The 's' in 'vous' is silent, so it sounds like 'voo', not 'voos'.
Nasal vowel in 'un'
The 'un' in 'un taxi' is a nasal sound, like the 'un' in 'under' but through your nose.
A small cultural note
While this phrase is standard, in some very casual settings, you might hear 'Tu peux me commander un taxi ?' but it's best to stick with 'vous' when asking for service.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I ask for a taxi in French if I don't know the word 'commander'?
You can say 'Pouvez-vous m'appeler un taxi ?' which means 'Can you call me a taxi?'.
What's the difference between 'commander' and 'appeler' for taxis?
'Commander' implies arranging or booking the taxi, while 'appeler' means to call it.
Is it rude to just ask 'Un taxi, s'il vous plaît'?
No, 'Un taxi, s'il vous plaît' (A taxi, please) is perfectly polite and common when approaching a taxi stand or driver.
