French language help please
#1
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French language help please
I'm writing a request to a hotel in Montreal and I'm trying it in French. I'm having trouble with the word for "request" as my translator says to use the verb "demander". Is this the word I should use? I do not want to demand anything,just a polite request.
I understand a hotel in Montreal can respond to requests in English, but I like to use my limited French every once in a while. It's a simple request and this is my only problem.
Merci
I understand a hotel in Montreal can respond to requests in English, but I like to use my limited French every once in a while. It's a simple request and this is my only problem.
Merci
#2
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"Demander" in French just means "to ask." But it doesn't exactly mean "request" either - it's more asking in the sense of asking a question. You might try to work around it by saying something like "if it's possible, we would like ..."
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"Demander" does not mean "to demand" but "to ask for/request". It's one of those false cognates. A francophone will not think you're being demanding when you use this verb. "Exiger" as a verb means "to demand".
e.g. "Je lui ai demandé un chambre avec une salle de bain privé" I requested a room with a private bathroom.
"Je voudrais demander une petite question" I would like to ask a little question
e.g. "Je lui ai demandé un chambre avec une salle de bain privé" I requested a room with a private bathroom.
"Je voudrais demander une petite question" I would like to ask a little question
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patsy
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Jan 12th, 2003 07:26 PM