#57 Requesting a Quote in Business Settings｜French Business Conversation
Izumi French Garden
#97 Using a Gas Station｜French Daily Life Phrases
Izumi
When traveling by rental car or driving in France, you will often find yourself refueling at a gas station.
In many situations, you may need to confirm the type of fuel or ask about payment methods, which requires basic communication in French.
In this lesson, I will explain practical French expressions used at gas stations, with example dialogues and detailed explanations.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, j’aimerais faire le plein, s’il vous plaît.
（Hello, I’d like to fill up the tank, please.）
Bien sûr. Vous voulez du sans-plomb 95 ou du sans-plomb 98 ?
（Of course. Would you like unleaded 95 or unleaded 98?）
Du sans-plomb 95, s’il vous plaît.
（Unleaded 95, please.）
Vous souhaitez payer à la caisse ou par carte directement à la pompe ?
（Would you like to pay at the counter or directly by card at the pump?)）
Je vais payer par carte à la pompe.
（I’ll pay by card at the pump.）
1. Asking for a Full Tank
The most commonly used phrase at a gas station is:
- J’aimerais faire le plein, s’il vous plaît.
(I’d like to fill up the tank, please.)
“faire le plein” means “to fill up the tank.” This is a standard expression used throughout France when requesting a full tank.
Of course, you may not always need a full tank. In that case, you can use:
- Je voudrais 20 litres, s’il vous plaît.
(I’d like 20 liters, please.) - À moitié, s’il vous plaît.
(Half a tank, please.)
Although most gas stations in France are self-service, these expressions are useful when staff are present.
2. Stating the Type of Fuel
The names of fuel types in France differ from those in other countries, so it is important to state them correctly.
| Type of Fuel | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sans-plomb 95 | Unleaded 95 |
| sans-plomb 98 | Unleaded 98 |
| gazole | Diesel |
Sans-plomb means “unleaded,” and the numbers indicate octane levels.
For rental cars, the contract or the fuel cap usually indicates which fuel to use.
3. Payment Methods
In France, the main payment methods at gas stations are:
| Payment Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Paying by card at the pump (à la pompe) | Insert your card directly into the pump; no need to go inside. Common at 24-hour unmanned stations. |
| Paying inside the store (à la caisse) | Pay at the register after refueling. Common at staffed stations. |
Many gas stations in France and Europe are self-service, and the pump itself has a card reader. Insert your credit/debit card into the card slot, enter your PIN, refuel, and complete the payment on the spot.
If card payment does not work, using a staffed station and paying inside is the safest option.
4. Asking About Equipment or Locations
At unfamiliar gas stations, you may not know which pump to use or where certain equipment is located.
Useful phrases include:
- Où est la pompe numéro 3 ?
(Where is pump number 3?) - Où puis-je trouver l’air pour les pneus ?
(Where can I find the air pump for the tires?) - Où se trouve le lavage auto ?
(Where is the car wash?)
These expressions are particularly helpful when driving during a trip.
Summary
- J’aimerais faire le plein.
→ A standard phrase for requesting a full tank. - sans-plomb 95 / sans-plomb 98 / gazole
→ Essential vocabulary for indicating fuel types. - Je voudrais 20 litres.
→ Useful when specifying the amount of fuel. - Payer à la caisse / payer à la pompe
→ Key expressions for asking about payment methods.
