French Phrase
Tu peux confirmer ma réservation ?
Meaning
This sentence is a polite request asking someone to confirm that a reservation (for a hotel, restaurant, flight, etc.) is still valid. It is informal because it uses ‘tu’, but the tone remains courteous thanks to the modal verb ‘pouvoir’ and the soft‑sounding ‘confirmer’.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are speaking to a staff member you already know, a friend who helped you book, or any situation where a casual tone is appropriate. In a formal setting (e.g., speaking to a hotel manager you haven’t met), switch to the ‘vous’ form: ‘Pouvez‑vous confirmer ma réservation ?’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tupeuxconfirmermaréservation?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun, used with people you know well or in casual settings.
Modal verb pouvoir (peux)
‘Peux’ is the present‑tense form of ‘pouvoir’ (to be able to) and is followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive after pouvoir (confirmer)
When a modal verb is used, the main verb stays in the infinitive; here ‘confirmer’ means ‘to confirm’.
Possessive adjective (ma)
‘Ma’ agrees with the feminine noun ‘réservation’; it means ‘my’.
Question mark without inversion
In spoken French you can simply add a rising intonation (or a ‘?’ in writing) after a statement to turn it into a question.
🗨In Conversation
Tu peux confirmer ma réservation ?
Can you confirm my reservation?
Oui, je la confirme tout de suite.
Yes, I’ll confirm it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu peux confirmer mon réservation ?
‘Réservation’ is feminine, so the correct possessive is ‘ma’, not ‘mon’.
Tu pouvez confirmer ma réservation ?
Mixing ‘tu’ (informal) with the third‑person conjugation ‘pouvez’ is a register error.
Confirme ma réservation.
Dropping the modal verb makes the request sound like a command; use ‘peux’ or ‘pouvez’ for politeness.
↔Alternatives
Pouvez‑vous confirmer ma réservation ?
Can you confirm my reservation? (formal)
Est‑ce que tu peux confirmer ma réservation ?
Can you confirm my reservation?
Peux‑tu confirmer ma réservation ?
Can you confirm my reservation?
Confirmez ma réservation, s’il vous plaît.
Please confirm my reservation.
Cultural Tip
In French, the choice between ‘tu’ and ‘vous’ signals the level of familiarity. Even in a business context, many French speakers start with ‘vous’ and switch to ‘tu’ only after a mutual agreement. Also, French speakers often add ‘s’il vous plaît’ for extra politeness, especially when the request is made to a stranger.