French Phrase
Vous avez des tables dehors ?
Meaning
You are asking a café or restaurant staff whether they have any tables available outside, typically because you’d like to sit in the open air. The phrase is polite and can be used both in formal and casual settings.
When to use
Use this sentence when you arrive at a dining place and want to know if outdoor seating is possible, especially on a pleasant day or when the indoor area is crowded.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vousavezdestablesdehors?
Vous (subject pronoun)
Formal or plural 'you', used to address a single person politely or a group.
Avez (present of avoir)
Second‑person plural present of 'avoir' (to have).
Des (indefinite article)
Plural indefinite article meaning 'some' or 'any'.
Tables (noun)
Feminine plural noun meaning 'tables'.
Dehors (adverb)
Adverb meaning 'outside' or 'outdoors'.
Question intonation
In spoken French, a simple declarative sentence can become a question by raising intonation at the end; no inversion needed.
🗨In Conversation
Vous avez des tables dehors ?
Do you have any tables outside?
Oui, suivez‑moi, il y en a une près de la terrasse.
Yes, follow me, there’s one near the terrace.
✕Common Mistakes
Vous avez des tables à l’extérieur ?
While understandable, using ‘à l’extérieur’ sounds overly formal for a casual café; ‘dehors’ is the natural choice.
Il avez des tables dehors ?
‘Il’ is the third‑person singular pronoun; the correct subject for ‘avez’ is ‘vous’. Use ‘Vous avez…’ or ‘Il y a…’
Vous avez des tables dehors
In spoken French the rising intonation marks a question, but in writing you need the question mark to avoid ambiguity.
↔Alternatives
Est‑ce qu’il y a des tables à l’extérieur ?
Are there any tables outside?
Y a‑t‑il des places dehors ?
Are there any seats outside?
On peut s’asseoir dehors ?
Can we sit outside?
Cultural Tip
In France, outdoor seating (la terrasse) is a hallmark of café culture, especially in the summer. It’s common to ask politely using ‘vous’ even if the staff is young. Remember that ‘dehors’ is more informal; ‘à l’extérieur’ sounds slightly more formal. Also, many restaurants will automatically seat you outside if there’s space, but it never hurts to ask first.