This French A2 lesson explains French bank and post office vocabulary step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on French bank and post office vocabulary and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To handle the bank and the post office in French, use polite set phrases: Je voudrais or Pouvez-vous followed by an infinitive, such as Je voudrais ouvrir un compte. Learn the key nouns, like un colis, une carte bancaire and une lettre recommandée, and bring une pièce d’identité.
Level: French A2 (CEFR elementary) · Standards: CEFR A2, Spoken interaction
French bank and post office vocabulary: the lesson
How do you ask politely at a bank or post office?
At a counter, French uses a fixed polite formula, not a bare order. Greet first with Bonjour, then use Je voudrais (I would like) or Pouvez-vous (can you) followed by an infinitive.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Je voudrais + infinitive | I would like to… | Je voudrais ouvrir un compte. |
| Pouvez-vous + infinitive ? | Can you…? | Pouvez-vous peser ce colis ? |
| Je dois + infinitive | I have to… | Je dois envoyer une lettre. |
| Il faut + infinitive | One must… | Il faut montrer une pièce d’identité. |
Rule: vouloir, pouvoir, devoir
These three verbs are followed by a verb in the infinitive, which never changes. In the negative, {ne … pas} surrounds the first verb only: {Je ne peux pas payer par chèque.}
| vouloir | pouvoir | devoir | |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | veux | peux | dois |
| nous | voulons | pouvons | devons |
| vous | voulez | pouvez | devez |
| ils | veulent | peuvent | doivent |
Watch out
{Je veux un timbre} sounds like an order. Say {Je voudrais un timbre, s’il vous plaît.} Also, {un colis} is masculine, so write {un colis}, never {une colis}.
Which words do you need at the bank?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un compte courant | checking account |
| une carte bancaire | bank card |
| un virement | transfer |
| un retrait | withdrawal |
| un distributeur | ATM |
| un RIB | bank account details |
| un justificatif de domicile | proof of address |
| une pièce d’identité | ID document |
A short dialogue
{— Bonjour, je voudrais ouvrir un compte courant.}
{— Bien sûr. Vous avez une pièce d’identité et un justificatif de domicile ?}
{— Oui, voici mon passeport et ma facture d’électricité.}
— Hello, I would like to open a checking account. — Of course. Do you have an ID and proof of address? — Yes, here are my passport and my electricity bill.
How do you send a parcel or a registered letter?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un colis | parcel |
| un timbre | stamp |
| le guichet | counter window |
| le suivi | tracking |
| une lettre recommandée | registered letter |
| l’accusé de réception | proof of delivery |
Useful sentences: Je voudrais envoyer ce colis à Lausanne. — I would like to send this parcel to Lausanne. Il pèse deux kilos. — It weighs two kilos. Je voudrais une lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception.
Culture note
In France, a registered letter with proof of delivery has legal value. People use it to end a lease, cancel a contract or resign from a job. The sender receives a receipt, then a card signed by the recipient.
Zoé’s tip
Open with {Bonjour} and close with {Merci, bonne journée !} Between the two, one polite request is enough. A calm tone matters more than perfect grammar.
Key points to remember
- Je voudrais + infinitive is the polite way to ask for a service.
- Vouloir, pouvoir and devoir are followed by an infinitive.
- To open an account you usually need une pièce d’identité and un justificatif de domicile.
- Un colis is masculine; une lettre recommandée is feminine.
Handling Bank Counters and Parcel Services: frequently asked questions
How do you say “I would like to open an account” in French?
Say Je voudrais ouvrir un compte. Add courant for a checking account. Je voudrais is more polite than Je veux, which sounds like an order.
What documents do you need to open a bank account in France?
Banks usually ask for une pièce d’identité and un justificatif de domicile, such as a recent utility bill. Some also ask for proof of income. A useful question is Quels documents faut-il apporter ?
What is a lettre recommandée?
It is a registered letter. With un accusé de réception, the sender gets proof that the recipient received it. It is common for official procedures such as ending a lease.
How do you ask someone to weigh a parcel?
Say Pouvez-vous peser ce colis, s’il vous plaît ? To give the weight, say Il pèse deux kilos.
How do you say “I have to send a letter”?
Use devoir + infinitive: Je dois envoyer une lettre. For a general rule, use il faut: Il faut un timbre.