French Phrase
Je peux repasser l'examen ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for permission or confirmation that they are allowed to take the exam again, usually after a failure, a missed date, or a special circumstance.
When to use
Use this sentence when you have already taken an exam and need to know if the institution allows a second attempt. It works in both formal (university, school) and informal (language course, driving test) contexts, but you may choose a more formal formulation in official settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jepeuxrepasserl'examen?
Je (subject pronoun)
First person singular subject pronoun, always placed before the verb.
pouvoir (present tense)
The auxiliary verb ‘pouvoir’ is conjugated to match the subject: je peux, tu peux, il/elle peut, etc.
repasser (infinitive)
Here ‘repasser’ means ‘to take again / to retake’. It is the infinitive that follows the modal verb pouvoir.
l' + examen (elision)
The definite article ‘le’ elides before a vowel, becoming l’. It agrees in gender and number with the noun.
Question formation
A simple yes‑no question can be made by raising intonation, adding a question mark, or using ‘est‑ce que’ or inversion.
🗨In Conversation
Je peux repasser l'examen ?
Can I retake the exam?
Oui, tu as droit à une seconde session, mais il faut t’inscrire avant le 15 juin.
Yes, you are allowed a second session, but you must register before June 15th.
✕Common Mistakes
Je peux repasser le pantalon ?
‘Repasser’ also means ‘to iron’; make sure the context is about an exam, not clothing.
Je peut repasser l'examen ?
Do not forget the subject‑verb agreement; it must be ‘je peux’, not ‘je peut’.
Je peux repasser le examen ?
The article must be contracted to l' before a vowel; ‘le examen’ is incorrect.
Je peux repasser ? l'examen
In formal writing, the question mark follows the whole sentence, not after the verb alone.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce que je peux repasser l'examen ?
Is it possible for me to retake the exam?
Puis‑je repasser l'examen ?
May I retake the exam?
Est‑il possible de repasser l'examen ?
Is it possible to retake the exam?
Cultural Tip
In French academic settings, asking permission to retake an exam is usually done politely and often in writing. ‘Puis‑je…’ is the most formal spoken form, while ‘Est‑ce que…’ is neutral. Avoid using ‘repasser’ in the sense of ‘to iron’ – context makes the meaning clear, but beginners sometimes confuse the two meanings.