French Phrase
Je peux avoir un accusé de réception ?
Meaning
This polite request asks the interlocutor to provide a written acknowledgment that a document, email, or parcel has been received. It is commonly used in administrative, legal, or business contexts where proof of receipt is required.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need a formal proof that something you sent has been received – for example at a post office, a bank, a government office, or when emailing a client. It works both in spoken and written French, especially in professional settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jepeuxavoirunaccuséderéception?
Subject pronoun (Je)
The first person singular pronoun used for the speaker.
Modal verb pouvoir (peux)
Present tense of pouvoir; it is conjugated to agree with the subject and is followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive after pouvoir (avoir)
When a modal verb is used, the main verb stays in the infinitive form.
Indefinite article (un)
Used before masculine singular nouns; here it introduces the noun phrase "accusé de réception".
Noun phrase (accusé de réception)
A compound noun meaning "acknowledgment of receipt"; "accusé" is masculine, "de" links it to "réception".
Question mark
In spoken French the intonation rises; in writing the question mark signals a polite request.
🗨In Conversation
Je peux avoir un accusé de réception ?
Can I have an acknowledgment of receipt?
Bien sûr, le voici.
Of course, here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Je peux avoir un recevoir de réception ?
"Recevoir" means "to receive"; it does not refer to a written receipt.
Je peux avoir une accusé de réception ?
"Accusé" is masculine, so the article must be "un".
Je peux avoir un accusé réception ?
The preposition "de" is required to link the two nouns.
↔Alternatives
Pourrais‑je obtenir un accusé de réception, s’il vous plaît ?
Could I obtain an acknowledgment of receipt, please?
Est‑ce que je peux avoir un reçu ?
Can I have a receipt?
Je souhaiterais un accusé de réception.
I would like an acknowledgment of receipt.
Cultural Tip
In French business etiquette, asking for an "accusé de réception" is considered standard when you need proof that a document has been received. Adding "s’il vous plaît" or "merci" makes the request sound more courteous. Be aware that "recevoir" alone means "to receive" and does not convey the idea of a written receipt.