A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could i have more water" in French
Politely request more water at a French restaurant or café. Essential for staying hydrated and comfortable during your meal.
Pourrais-je avoir de l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?
poo-ray-ZHUH ah-VWAHR duh l'OH, SEEL voo PLEHneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Ask your server for a refill of your water glass or if you'd like to order a bottle of water. This is the standard polite way to ask.
Alternatives
- Je peux avoir de l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?Slightly less formal than 'pourrais-je'.
- Un peu plus d'eau, s'il vous plaît.More direct, implies you want a refill of what you already have.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'r' sound
The French 'r' is guttural, made in the back of the throat, not with the tip of the tongue.
Forgetting 's' in 's'il'
The 's' in 's'il vous plaît' is pronounced, don't drop it.
A small cultural note
In France, it's common to ask for 'une carafe d'eau' (a jug of tap water) which is free, rather than always ordering bottled water.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I ask for tap water in France?
Ask for 'une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît'. This is free and common in restaurants.
Should I ask for still or sparkling water?
Specify 'eau plate' for still water or 'eau gazeuse' for sparkling water if you don't want tap water.
Is 'pourrais-je' too formal for a cafe?
No, 'pourrais-je' is perfectly polite and standard for service interactions in most cafes and restaurants.
