French Phrase
Seulement si tu veux.
Meaning
‘Only if you want.’ The speaker is saying that something will happen or be offered on the condition that the listener actually wants it. It’s a polite, low‑pressure way to give permission or make a suggestion.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversation when you want to offer something, give permission, or set a condition that depends on the other person’s desire. It works well after a proposal, an invitation, or when you’re letting someone decide.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Seulementsituveux
Seulement
Adverb meaning ‘only’; it limits the condition that follows.
si
Conjunction meaning ‘if’; introduces a conditional clause.
tu
Informal second‑person singular pronoun. Use ‘vous’ for formal or plural.
veux
Present‑tense form of ‘vouloir’ (to want) for ‘tu’. It expresses desire or willingness.
🗨In Conversation
Tu veux que je t’aide à déménager ce week‑end ?
Do you want me to help you move this weekend?
Seulement si tu veux.
Only if you want.
✕Common Mistakes
Seulement si vous veux.
Use ‘voules’ only with the formal ‘vous’. With ‘tu’, the correct verb form is ‘veux’.
Je le ferai seulement si tu veux.
Do not translate ‘only if you want’ as ‘seulement si tu veux’ when you mean ‘just because you want it’; the phrase always carries a conditional meaning.
↔Alternatives
Si tu le souhaites.
If you wish.
À condition que tu veuilles.
Provided that you want to.
Si tu en as envie.
If you feel like it.
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘si tu veux’ softens a suggestion and shows respect for the other person’s autonomy. In formal situations or when speaking to strangers, replace ‘tu’ with ‘vous’: ‘Seulement si vous voulez.’ The adverb ‘seulement’ can also be placed after the conditional clause – ‘Si tu veux, seulement.’ Both are correct, but the front‑position emphasizes the restriction.