s'il vous plaît

See also: s'il vous plait

French

Alternative forms

• s’il vous plait

Etymology

Literally "if it pleases you".

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s‿il vu plɛ/

• audio:

  (file)

• Audio (CAN):

  (file)

Phrase

s’il vous plaît

1. (formal, in the plural) please, if you please

   Pourriez-vous me donner du pain, s’il vous plaît ?

   Could you pass me the bread, please?

2. (Belgium, formal) you're welcome

Usage notes

• S’il vous plaît is used to address someone formally (being polite or speaking with elders), using vous, or to address more than one person; when using the phrase informally (with friends and family), one would use tu, hence s’il te plaît.