French · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Can I try it on?" in French: Je peux l'essayer ?

Je peux l'essayer ?

Say it: zhuh puh less-ay-YAYphrase/ʒə pø lɛ.sɛ.je/

Can I try it on in French is Je peux l'essayer ? — l' stands for the item. Use it with clothes or shoes. Les cabines are fitting rooms.

Clothing rack

Pardonje peux l'essayer ?
Excuse me—can I try it on?
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How to pronounce Je peux l'essayer ?

Say it

zhuh puh less-ay-YAY

/ʒə pø lɛ.sɛ.je/

Je peux: zhuh puh. L'essayer: less-ay-YAY. Rising polite question.

"Can I try it on?" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
Je peux l'essayer ?Can I try it on?

Default.

je peux essayer ça ?can I try this on?

Pointing at an item.

je peux l'essayer en cabine ?can I try it on in a fitting room?

Asking for a cabin.

où sont les cabines ?where are the fitting rooms?

Related ask.

How to use Je peux l'essayer ? in real life

  1. 1Clothing rack

    Pardonje peux l'essayer ?

    Excuse me—can I try it on?

    Full phrase.

  2. 2Shoe shop

    Je peux l'essayer en 42 ?

    Can I try it on in size 42?

    Size added.

  3. 3Holding a jacket

    Il me plaît : je peux l'essayer ?

    I like it: can I try it on?

    Reason + ask.

Mistakes English speakers make with Je peux l'essayer ?

Incorrect: Je peux l'essayer on ?

Correct: Je peux l'essayer ?

French doesn't add English on; essayer already means try on here.

Incorrect: Je peux le essayer ?

Correct: Je peux l'essayer ?

Elide: l'essayer before a vowel.

Good to know

French shops expect Je peux l'essayer ? before you disappear into a cabine. Staff may count items; three to five pieces is common. Ask for another size with Vous l'avez en… ?

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

In a clothing store

  1. ChatPal

    Cette chemise te va. Je peux l'essayer aussi ?

    That shirt suits you. Can I try it on too?

  2. You

    Ouije peux l'essayer en cabine ?

    Yes—can I try it on in a fitting room?

  3. ChatPal

    La vendeuse a dit oui. Je peux l'essayer après toi.

    The clerk said yes. I can try it on after you.

  4. You

    Parfait, j'y vais.

    Perfect, I'm going.

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"Can I try it on?" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Can I try it on?" in French

How do you say can I try it on in French?

Je peux l'essayer ?

What does l' stand for?

The clothing item (le/la → l').

How do you ask for a fitting room?

Où sont les cabines ?

How do you pronounce essayer?

ess-ay-YAY.

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