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French Phrase

Peux‑tu approuver cette demande ?

/pø.ty a.pʁu.ve sɛt də.mɑ̃d/
Meaning"Can you approve this request?"
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Meaning

Literally, “Can you approve this request?” It is a polite but informal way to ask someone to give their approval to a document, proposal, or any kind of request.

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When to use

Use this phrase with colleagues, teammates, or friends when you have a familiar relationship. In a more formal setting (e.g., speaking to a manager or a client) switch to the plural ‘vous’: “Pouvez‑vous approuver cette demande ?”.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Peuxtuapprouvercettedemande?

1

Inversion for yes/no questions

When forming a question with a verb and a pronoun, French often uses inversion: verb‑subject (peux‑tu). This is more formal than simply raising intonation.

2

Verb ‘approuver’

‘Approuver’ is a transitive verb meaning ‘to approve’. It takes a direct object without a preposition.

3

Demonstrative adjective ‘cette’

‘Cette’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (demande – feminine singular).

🗨In Conversation

A

Peux‑tu approuver cette demande ?

Can you approve this request?

Oui, je la signe tout de suite.

Yes, I’ll sign it right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Peux‑vous approuver cette demande ?

    ‘Peux‑vous’ mixes the singular verb form with the plural pronoun; use ‘Pouvez‑vous’ instead.

  • Tu peux approuver cette demande ?

    While understandable, the lack of inversion makes it sound less formal; for a proper yes/no question, use inversion or ‘Est‑ce que…’.

  • Approuver cette demande ?

    Missing the auxiliary ‘peux‑tu’; without it the phrase is just a statement, not a question.

↔Alternatives

  • Peux‑tu valider cette demande ?

    Can you validate this request?

  • Est‑ce que tu peux approuver cette demande ?

    Can you approve this request?

  • Pouvez‑vous approuver cette demande ?

    Can you approve this request? (formal/plural)

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Cultural Tip

In French business culture, using the polite form ‘vous’ is the default when you’re not on a first‑name basis. Switching to ‘tu’ signals a closer, more informal relationship, which is common among teammates in tech startups or creative agencies. Always match the level of formality to the workplace hierarchy.