French · Real conversations
How to say “Could you write it down?” in French
Ask someone to put an unfamiliar word or an instruction in writing.
Pourriez-vous l'écrire ?
Could you write it down?
Point to the information you need written, or name it in the sentence.
Use it in three situations
A name you did not catch
Pourriez-vous l'écrire ?
Could you write it down?
A classroom instruction
Pourriez-vous écrire votre nom ?
Could you write your name down?
A meeting detail
Pourriez-vous écrire l'adresse, s'il vous plaît ?
Could you write down the address, please?
What to watch for
Writing something down does not necessarily include translating or explaining it.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine repairing a conversation. Say this in French: Could you write your name down?
Reveal a sample reply
Pourriez-vous écrire votre nom ?
Could you write your name down?
Build a useful exchange
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
