French Phrase
Je prends un verre d'eau.
Meaning
Literally, “I take a glass of water.” In everyday French it is used to say “I’ll have a glass of water” or “I’m drinking a glass of water.” It can be a polite way to order water in a café or restaurant.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to request water at a café, restaurant, or when you simply state that you are drinking a glass of water. It works both in formal settings (with ‘vous’) and informal conversation with friends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jeprendsunverred'eau
Subject pronoun (Je)
The personal pronoun 'je' means 'I' and is used before a verb in the present tense.
Verb conjugation (prends)
‘Prendre’ (to take) is conjugated as ‘je prends’ in the present indicative; note the final –s.
Indefinite article (un)
‘Un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article meaning ‘a’ or ‘one’.
Noun (verre)
‘Verre’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘glass’ (the container).
Contraction (d')
‘De’ contracts to ‘d’ before a vowel or mute h, forming ‘d’eau’ = ‘of water’.
Noun (eau)
‘Eau’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘water’; it follows the contraction ‘d’.
🗨In Conversation
Vous désirez quelque chose à boire ?
Would you like something to drink?
Je prends un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
I'll have a glass of water, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Je prend un verre d'eau.
The verb must be conjugated for ‘je’; the correct form is ‘prends’ with an –s.
Je prends un verre de l'eau.
When the quantity is expressed with ‘un verre’, the article is omitted; say ‘un verre d'eau’, not ‘un verre de l'eau’.
Je prends un verre d' eau.
There should be no space after the apostrophe; it contracts directly to ‘d’eau’.
↔Alternatives
Je voudrais un verre d'eau.
I would like a glass of water.
Je bois un verre d'eau.
I am drinking a glass of water.
Un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
A glass of water, please.
Cultural Tip
In France, water is often offered as either ‘eau plate’ (still) or ‘eau gazeuse’ (sparkling). If you have no preference, simply say ‘un verre d'eau’ and the server will ask which you prefer. Using the polite form ‘s’il vous plaît’ is essential in restaurants and cafés.