French · Real conversations
Changing plans: French conversation practice
Explain a change and offer a clear next step. 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 friend updating someone about an appointment.
Goal: Explain a change and offer a clear next step.
Read the conversation
Partner
Je suis déjà au café. Tu arrives bientôt ?
Show English translation
I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here?
You
J'aurai dix minutes de retard.
Show English translation
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner
Merci de me prévenir. On peut aussi choisir un autre jour.
Show English translation
Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day.
You
On peut reporter ça à samedi ?
Show English translation
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner
Samedi, ça me va. Tout va bien ?
Show English translation
Saturday works. Is everything okay?
You
J'ai un imprévu.
Show English translation
Something has come up.
Partner
Je comprends. Est-ce que je t'attends encore aujourd'hui ?
Show English translation
I understand. Should I still wait for you today?
You
Malheureusement, je ne pourrai pas venir.
Show English translation
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner
Pas de problème. Dis-moi quand tu peux confirmer pour samedi.
Show English translation
No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday.
You
Je te tiens au courant.
Show English translation
I'll let you know.
Try your part first
Partner says: I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here? Your goal: I'm running ten minutes late.
Reveal a sample reply
J'aurai dix minutes de retard.
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner says: Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day. Your goal: Can we move it to Saturday?
Reveal a sample reply
On peut reporter ça à samedi ?
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner says: Saturday works. Is everything okay? Your goal: Something has come up.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai un imprévu.
Something has come up.
Partner says: I understand. Should I still wait for you today? Your goal: I'm afraid I can't make it.
Reveal a sample reply
Malheureusement, je ne pourrai pas venir.
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner says: No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday. Your goal: I'll let you know.
Reveal a sample reply
Je te tiens au courant.
I'll let you know.
Make it your own
- Be twenty minutes late.
- Cancel instead of moving the time.
- Offer two alternative dates.
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.
