French Phrase
Ajoute 15% de pourboire, s'il te plaît.
Meaning
A polite request asking someone to add a fifteen‑percent tip to the bill. The speaker uses the informal imperative and the familiar polite expression *s’il te plaît*.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are paying a restaurant bill, a taxi fare, or any service where you want to add a 15 % tip and you are speaking informally to the staff or a friend who is handling the payment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ajoute15%depourboire,s'ilteplaît.
Imperative (tu)
‘Ajoute’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *ajouter*; it is used for informal commands.
Number + de
After a numeral, French uses *de* (not *du*) before a noun: *15 % de pourboire*.
Polite formula
‘s’il te plaît’ literally means ‘if it pleases you’; it softens the command and is informal (use *s’il vous plaît* for formal situations).
Percent sign
In spoken French the percent sign is read *pour cent*; the numeral is usually written out as *quinze pour cent* in formal text.
🗨In Conversation
Ajoute 15% de pourboire, s'il te plaît.
Add a 15 % tip, please.
Bien sûr, je le fais tout de suite.
Sure, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Ajoutez 15% de pourboire, s'il te plaît.
Mixes formal imperative *ajoutez* with informal *s’il te plaît*; keep the register consistent.
Ajoute 15% du pourboire, s'il te plaît.
After a number, use *de* not *du*.
Ajoute quinze pourcent de pourboire, s'il te plaît.
The word *pourcent* should be *pour cent* (two words).
↔Alternatives
Pourrais‑tu ajouter 15 % de pourboire, s'il te plaît ?
Could you add a 15 % tip, please?
Ajoutez 15 % de pourboire, s'il vous plaît.
Add a 15 % tip, please. (formal)
Merci d’ajouter 15 % de pourboire.
Thank you for adding a 15 % tip.
Cultural Tip
In France, service is often included in the menu price (indicated by *service compris*). Adding an extra tip is optional and usually modest—around 5–10 % for good service. A 15 % tip is more common in tourist‑heavy areas or when the service exceeds expectations. Using *s’il te plaît* signals familiarity; with strangers or in upscale settings, switch to *s’il vous plaît*.