French · Real conversations
Calls and messages: French conversation practice
Handle a short call and confirm a message. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A person handling a call with a weak connection.
Goal: Handle a short call and confirm a message.
Read the conversation
Partner
Allô, tu es là ?
Show English translation
Hello, are you there?
You
Tu m'entends ?
Show English translation
Can you hear me?
Partner
Je t'entends, mais le son n'est pas clair.
Show English translation
I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear.
You
La connexion coupe.
Show English translation
The connection is breaking up.
Partner
Oui. Je dois parler à Anna de la réunion de demain.
Show English translation
Yes. I need to talk to Anna about tomorrow's meeting.
You
Tu pourrais laisser un message ?
Show English translation
Could you leave a message?
Partner
Dis à Anna que j'ai appelé. Tu peux me prévenir quand elle est libre ?
Show English translation
Please tell Anna I called. Could you let me know when she's free?
You
Je te rappelle.
Show English translation
I'll call you back.
Partner
Merci. J'ai vu une notification pour un message de toi tout à l'heure.
Show English translation
Thanks. I saw an alert for a message from you earlier.
You
Tu as reçu mon message ?
Show English translation
Did you get my message?
Try your part first
Partner says: Hello, are you there? Your goal: Can you hear me?
Reveal a sample reply
Tu m'entends ?
Can you hear me?
Partner says: I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear. Your goal: The connection is breaking up.
Reveal a sample reply
La connexion coupe.
The connection is breaking up.
Partner says: Yes. I need to talk to Anna about tomorrow's meeting. Your goal: Could you leave a message?
Reveal a sample reply
Tu pourrais laisser un message ?
Could you leave a message?
Partner says: Please tell Anna I called. Could you let me know when she's free? Your goal: I'll call you back.
Reveal a sample reply
Je te rappelle.
I'll call you back.
Partner says: Thanks. I saw an alert for a message from you earlier. Your goal: Did you get my message?
Reveal a sample reply
Tu as reçu mon message ?
Did you get my message?
Make it your own
- Use a different callback time.
- Leave a message for someone else.
- Switch to a written message.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
