Asking for permission in French
There are very simple ways to ask for permission to do something. More formal phrases are also available if you want to put all the chances on your side!
Nothing simpler than a statement
Used mainly in spoken French because it's not grammatically correct, this form of question is as simple as it gets: you use a statement!
For example:
"Je pourrais ouvrir la fenetre?" (Could I open the window?)
"Je peux prendre cette chaise?" (Can I take this chair?)
So that your listener understands it's a question, remember to use a rising intonation, just like in English (say these out loud: "May I open the window?", "Can I take this chair?").
This very slightly informal phrasing works for the vast majority of people you'll talk to, except perhaps a superior at work or a notable figure.
Still using a statement, you can also ask permission by expressing a wish, similar to the English "I would like to..." For example: "J'aimerais etre assis cote couloir" (I'd like an aisle seat), "Je voudrais me garer ici" (I'd like to park here).
"Est-ce que"
In a slightly more formal register, but still equivalent to "May I?" in English, simply add "Est-ce que" to the beginning of your statement.
"Est-ce que je peux m'asseoir ici?" (May I sit here?)
A quick pronunciation tip: contract the phrase by not pronouncing the middle "e": "esskeu." You'll sound like a native French speaker!
Inversion
With this form of question, you invert the subject and the verb:
"Puis-je partir a 20 heures?" (May I leave at 8 PM?) / "Pourrais-je m'asseoir avec vous?" (Could I sit with you?)
Inversion is very common in writing but frequently avoided in speech because it sounds somewhat old-fashioned, although it's perfectly acceptable and polite.
Do you mind?
Let's be considerate and ask whether our action bothers the other person. They may be more likely to give us the answer we're hoping for!
"Ca vous derange si je mange?" (Do you mind if I eat?)
"Ca ne vous embete pas si je monte le son?" (Do you mind if I turn up the volume?)
"Ca ne vous ennuie pas que je passe avant vous?" (Do you mind if I go ahead of you?)
Following the rules
With the following phrases, you're making sure you're not breaking any rules.
You can use the verbs "autoriser" or "permettre" (allowed):
"Les chiens sont permis?" (Are dogs allowed?) or "Fumer est-il autorise?" (Is smoking allowed?)
In the same register, "J'ai le droit?" literally means "Do I have the right?": "J'ai le droit de pique-niquer ici?" (Are picnics allowed here?).
Adding a polite phrase
Let's add even more courtesy to our request with a polite phrase. Here's how:
"Pardon Madame, j'ai le droit de prendre des photos?" (Excuse me, Ma'am, am I allowed to take photos?)
"S'il vous plait, je peux commander?" (Please, may I order?)
"Excusez-moi, est-ce que je peux m'absenter cinq minutes, s'il vous plait?" (Excuse me, may I step out for five minutes, please?)
As you can see, "s'il vous plait" can be placed at the beginning or end of your request.
A word about "tu" and "vous"
Difficult to grasp for English speakers who only have the pronoun "you" at their disposal, "tutoiement" means using "tu" (informal you) and "vouvoiement" means using "vous" (formal you) with a single person.
"Vous" is the pronoun to use when addressing a stranger, a neighbor, or a superior at work. "Tu" is reserved for friends and family. When in doubt, choose "vous" to avoid appearing rude or awkward.
When using "tu" with someone, "s'il vous plait" becomes "s'il te plait," "excusez-moi" becomes "excuse-moi," and "ca vous derange?" becomes "ca te derange?"