French Phrase
Juste de l'eau, merci.
Meaning
Literally, 'Only water, thank you.' It’s a concise way to tell a server that you’d like a glass of water and nothing else, while also expressing gratitude.
When to use
Use this phrase in cafés, restaurants, or any food‑service setting when you want to order just water and politely decline other drinks. It works both in casual and slightly formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Justedel'eau,merci.
Juste (adverb)
Used here as an adverb meaning 'only' or 'just', placed before the partitive construction.
de + l' (partitive article)
When referring to an unspecified amount of a non-countable noun like water, French uses the partitive article 'de l'' (de + l').
l' (elided definite article)
The definite article 'la' contracts to 'l'' before a vowel sound, as in 'l'eau'.
merci
A polite way to thank someone; placed at the end of a request to soften it.
🗨In Conversation
Que désirez‑vous boire ?
What would you like to drink?
Juste de l'eau, merci.
Just water, thank you.
✕Common Mistakes
Juste l'eau, merci.
The partitive article is required; 'de l'' indicates an unspecified amount.
Juste d'eau, merci.
The article must be 'de l'' because 'eau' starts with a vowel; 'd'' alone is incorrect.
Juste de l'eau s'il vous plaît.
While not wrong, using 'merci' after the request is more idiomatic in a restaurant setting.
↔Alternatives
De l'eau seulement, merci.
Water only, thank you.
Je prendrai seulement de l'eau, merci.
I’ll only have water, thank you.
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 a preference, add it: 'Juste de l'eau plate, merci.' Also, saying 'merci' after your order is considered courteous and is common practice in French hospitality.