Help - Can anyone speak french?

if you go to www.altavista.com they have a translator, named after the babel fish of douglas adams, it's really fast and easy to use, but i wouldn't rely totally on the grammar, but it's great for single words, simple phrases etc.. you should test it out using your enquiry as an example.. xxx

i just tested it the results came out as: 'êtes-vous avez-vous fini ici '?

Which means 'are you, have you finished here here?'Most French waiters wouldn't ask mind you! Those that do would just say "Fini?" and grab the plate regardless of your reply.

Personally, I reckon the protag should just shout in their own language, possibly slowly. Works for Brits abroad.

My wife and I spent a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales and stayed at a quite smart hotel in Burnsall. Some tyke guys with a bit of brass had been at the bevvy and were showing off to each other by snapping their fingers at the French waiter and calling him "Garcon", which he had to courteously endure. When it came to taking their order, the showing off continued; one wag wanted the fish cakes as starters and placed an order for "gateaux de poisson"; the waiter kept his face straight and asked whether Sir would require cream on his "gateaux"! Wonderful!

I think that the literal translation might not be what's required here. Personally I would prefer the economical version, Est-ce que tout est fini? The word 'tout' incorporates all, here, forever, everyone. This - in view of the French manner of shortening everything would satisfy all requirements. Hope this has helped

mais oui!

'Are you finished here?' is: 'Est-ce que tu as fini ici?' or 'Tu as fini ici?' or 'As-tu fini ici?' or if you are speaking to more than one person or someone you would speak in a formal way to it is: 'Est-ce que vous avez fini ici?' That probably isn't completely right as the French probably have some idiom for it, but if you just want the gist of it then it's fine.

I would say "vous etes fini ici" or "tu as terminé?" but that's more informal. In fact, if you're in a conversational context "Terminé?" or "Terminez?" would prob do it. Ignore me, being egocentric and fairly drunk but also fairly french... Send the context and I'll do my worst with a hangover tomorrow!

"C'est fini, monsieur / Madame / messeuresdames/?"

Je suis un croissant!

Un pain au chocolat s'il vous plait.