A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm ready to order" in French
Signal to your server that you're ready to place your food or drink order at a French restaurant.
Je suis prêt(e) à commander.
zhuh swee PRAY ah coh-mahn-DAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when the waiter approaches your table after you've had time to look at the menu. It's a polite way to initiate the ordering process.
Alternatives
- On peut commander ?More casual, implies 'Can we order now?'
- Je voudrais commander.Slightly more formal, 'I would like to order.'
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'r' in 'prêt'
The French 'r' is guttural, made in the back of the throat, not rolled like in Spanish.
Forgetting the 'e' for feminine
Add an 'e' to 'prêt' (making it 'prête') if you are female.
A small cultural note
In France, it's common for the waiter to wait for you to signal you're ready, rather than coming over immediately after seating you.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I'm ready to order in French?
The most common way is 'Je suis prêt(e) à commander.' Remember to add an 'e' if you are female.
When do I say I'm ready to order in France?
Wait until the waiter comes to your table after you've had time to look at the menu. It's polite to signal you're ready then.
What if I'm not ready to order yet?
You can say 'Je ne suis pas encore prêt(e)' (I'm not ready yet) or ask for more time, 'Encore un petit moment, s'il vous plaît' (A little more time, please).
