De quoi + infinitive: ask for what you need in French

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 9 October 2026 · About the library

Ask for something to write with, enough to pay or something to eat. Practise avoir de quoi in three short exchanges, with pictures and a quick check.

B1
9 phrases
3 situations
Learn this in the B1 notebook →

The short answer

Avoir de quoi + infinitive means having what you need to do something: J’ai de quoi écrire means “I have something to write with”. With money, J’ai de quoi payer means “I have enough to pay”.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

You can ask about the task before naming the object. At a meeting, the answer might be a pen and a notebook. At the till, it might be enough money. Keep the action in the infinitive after de quoi, even when the person changes: tu as de quoi écrire, nous avons de quoi écrire.

Write down an address

The pen and notebook supply the means.

YouTu as de quoi noter cette adresse ?Have you got something to write this address down with?

Your friendOui, j’ai un stylo et un carnet.Yes, I have a pen and a notebook.

YouParfait, je te la donne.Great, I’ll give it to you.

Check the budget

The money covers one expense; the next sentence sets the limit.

YouTu as de quoi payer le repas ?Have you got enough to pay for the meal?

Your friendOui, mais pas de quoi prendre un taxi après.Yes, but not enough to get a taxi afterwards.

YouAlors, on rentre à pied.Then we’ll walk home.

Prepare a snack

Available food makes a simple meal possible.

YouOn a de quoi manger ?Have we got something to eat?

Your friendOui, il reste du pain et du fromage.Yes, there’s some bread and cheese left.

YouTrès bien, on peut faire des tartines.Good, we can make open sandwiches.

What provides the means?

Supplies from the exchanges

What else does de quoi mean in French?

Read the whole expression

French	Meaning	What to notice
Il y a de quoi s’asseoir.	There is something to sit on.	The seating is available; use the reflexive infinitive.
Il y a de quoi s’inquiéter.	There is reason to worry.	Here the expression gives grounds for a reaction.
De quoi parles-tu ?	What are you talking about?	This is a topic question, from parler de.
Merci ! — Il n’y a pas de quoi.	Thanks! — You’re welcome.	A set reply after someone thanks you.