Meaning
Politely inviting someone to enter a room or building.
Cultural Background
The 'vouvoiement' is a sign of respect, not necessarily distance. Using 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît' with a neighbor you've known for years is common and polite. In Quebec, the 'tutoiement' (using 'tu') is more common than in France. You might hear 'Entre, s'il te plaît' more quickly in professional settings, though 'vous' remains the safe default for strangers. Belgian French is very similar to Metropolitan French in its use of this phrase, but you might hear 'S'il vous plaît' used at the end of many sentences as a general politeness marker, even more frequently than in Paris. In many West African countries, hospitality is deeply ritualized. 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît' is often followed by an immediate offer of water or tea as part of the welcoming process.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma before 's'il vous plaît' in writing. It makes your French look much more professional.
The 'Vous' Trap
If you start with 'Entrez', you MUST finish with 's'il vous plaît'. Never say 'Entrez s'il te plaît'—it's a major grammar clash!
Meaning
Politely inviting someone to enter a room or building.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma before 's'il vous plaît' in writing. It makes your French look much more professional.
The 'Vous' Trap
If you start with 'Entrez', you MUST finish with 's'il vous plaît'. Never say 'Entrez s'il te plaît'—it's a major grammar clash!
Add 'Donc' for Warmth
If you want to sound extra welcoming, say 'Entrez donc !'. It sounds very native and friendly.
Test Yourself
Choose the most appropriate phrase to welcome a new client into your office.
Le client frappe à la porte. Vous dites :
This is the standard formal way to welcome a professional contact.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
Monsieur le Directeur, ________, s'il vous plaît. La salle est prête.
You must use the 'vous' form (entrez) when addressing a director.
Complete the dialogue between a doctor and a patient.
Docteur : 'Monsieur Legrand ?' Patient : 'Oui, c'est moi.' Docteur : '________, s'il vous plaît. Asseyez-vous.'
In a medical context, 'Entrez' is the standard invitation to walk into the consultation room.
Match the phrase to the correct social situation.
Match 'Entre, s'il te plaît' and 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît' to the right person.
Informal 'tu' for friends, formal 'vous' for bosses.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît'
Professional
- • Office
- • Interview
- • Meeting
Service
- • Doctor
- • Bank
- • Hotel
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe client frappe à la porte. Vous dites :
This is the standard formal way to welcome a professional contact.
Monsieur le Directeur, ________, s'il vous plaît. La salle est prête.
You must use the 'vous' form (entrez) when addressing a director.
Docteur : 'Monsieur Legrand ?' Patient : 'Oui, c'est moi.' Docteur : '________, s'il vous plaît. Asseyez-vous.'
In a medical context, 'Entrez' is the standard invitation to walk into the consultation room.
Match 'Entre, s'il te plaît' and 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît' to the right person.
Informal 'tu' for friends, formal 'vous' for bosses.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou can, but it sounds like a command. It's okay for a teacher to a student, but in most social situations, it sounds a bit rude.
'Entrez-donc' is warmer and more encouraging. It's like saying 'Do come in!' instead of just 'Come in'.
It's both! You use it for a group of people OR for one person you are addressing formally (vouvoiement).
Since you 'tutoie' your pets, you would say 'Entre !'.
It represents an 's' that used to be there in Old French (plaist). It's a linguistic fossil!
No, for a car you would say 'Montez' (Get in/Climb in). 'Entrez' is for buildings and rooms.
The correct spelling has the accent: 'plaît'. However, many French people omit it in casual texts.
You can still say 'Entrez, s'il vous plaît' to give them permission to cross the threshold.
It's rare. In an email, you'd usually say 'Je vous invite à venir dans mon bureau'.
The polite opposite would be 'Sortez, s'il vous plaît' (Please leave), though that is rarely 'polite' in practice!
Related Phrases
Je vous en prie
similarI beg of you / Please go ahead
Bienvenue
builds onWelcome
Sortez !
contrastGet out!
Faites comme chez vous
builds onMake yourself at home
