A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "May i sit here" in French
Politely ask if you can take a seat in a shared space, like a cafe or a friend's home.
Puis-je m'asseoir ici ?
pweezh mah-SWAHR ee-SEEformal
French TTS · 0:01
You're at a cafe and want to join a friend at their table, or you're visiting someone's home and need to ask where you can sit.
Alternatives
- Je peux m'asseoir ici ?Slightly more casual than 'Puis-je'.
- Je peux m'asseoir là ?Use 'là' if the seat is a little further away or you're pointing.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 's' in 'puis-je'
The 's' in 'puis' is silent here; it's pronounced 'pwee'.
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
You must say 'm'asseoir' (to seat myself), not just 'asseoir'.
A small cultural note
While 'Puis-je' is correct, many French speakers, especially younger ones, might opt for the slightly more relaxed 'Je peux' in many situations.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask to sit down in French?
The most standard way is 'Puis-je m'asseoir ici ?'. You can also use the slightly more casual 'Je peux m'asseoir ici ?'.
Is 'Puis-je' too formal for a cafe?
No, 'Puis-je m'asseoir ici ?' is perfectly fine and polite for a cafe. 'Je peux m'asseoir ici ?' is also very common and a bit more relaxed.
What's the difference between 'ici' and 'là' when asking to sit?
'Ici' means 'here' and is used for a seat right next to you. 'Là' means 'there' and can be used for a seat a little further away or if you're indicating it.
