Veuillez

Veuillez is a polite French imperative form derived from the verb vouloir in the second-person plural (vous) and is used to request that someone perform an action. It is typically followed by an infinitive, forming phrases such as veuillez entrer, veuillez patienter, or veuillez noter que. It can also appear in fixed expressions used in formal communication.

Usage and register: Veuillez is reserved for formal or administrative contexts. It is common in official letters, customer service communications, public notices, and documentation. In everyday spoken French, speakers usually favor more informal forms such as s’il vous plaît or the present-tense imperative form adapted to the audience.

Grammatical notes: Veuillez functions as a polite directive addressed to one or more interlocutors. The construction is generally impersonal and directive, rather than a simple request. In many cases, it is part of a broader formal formula, including phrases like veuillez trouver ci-joint (please find attached) or veuillez agréer l’expression de mes salutations distinguées (please accept...). The negative variant is formed with ne pas: veuillez ne pas fumer (please do not smoke).

Tone and perception: Because it carries formality and authority, the use of veuillez can sound stiff, bureaucratic, or distant in some contexts. When a softer tone is desired, speakers may use s’il vous plaît in conversation or more direct imperatives with a courteous tone.

Examples:

- Veuillez entrer. (Please enter.)

- Veuillez patienter. (Please wait.)

- Veuillez noter que les horaires ont changé. (Please note that the schedules have changed.)

- Veuillez agréer l’expression de mes salutations distinguées. (Please accept ...)