French · Real conversations
Repairing a conversation: French conversation practice
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use. 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 learner asking a patient conversation partner for clarification.
Goal: Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
Read the conversation
Partner
Le nom est un peu difficile à écrire.
Show English translation
The name is a little difficult to spell.
You
Pourriez-vous l'écrire ?
Show English translation
Could you write it down?
Partner
Bien sûr. Ce mot décrit une action régulière.
Show English translation
Of course. This word describes a regular action.
You
Pourriez-vous me donner un exemple ?
Show English translation
Could you give me an example?
Partner
Par exemple, on se retrouve à la fin de la semaine de travail.
Show English translation
For example, we meet at the end of the working week.
You
Vous voulez dire vendredi ?
Show English translation
Do you mean Friday?
Partner
Oui, vendredi. On se retrouve devant la gare.
Show English translation
Yes, Friday. We meet outside the station.
You
Voyons si j'ai bien compris : on se retrouve vendredi.
Show English translation
Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Partner
C'est ça. Écris le mot pour ce lieu dans tes notes.
Show English translation
That's right. Write the word for that place in your notes.
You
Est-ce le bon mot ?
Show English translation
Is this the right word?
Try your part first
Partner says: The name is a little difficult to spell. Your goal: Could you write it down?
Reveal a sample reply
Pourriez-vous l'écrire ?
Could you write it down?
Partner says: Of course. This word describes a regular action. Your goal: Could you give me an example?
Reveal a sample reply
Pourriez-vous me donner un exemple ?
Could you give me an example?
Partner says: For example, we meet at the end of the working week. Your goal: Do you mean Friday?
Reveal a sample reply
Vous voulez dire vendredi ?
Do you mean Friday?
Partner says: Yes, Friday. We meet outside the station. Your goal: Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Reveal a sample reply
Voyons si j'ai bien compris : on se retrouve vendredi.
Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Partner says: That's right. Write the word for that place in your notes. Your goal: Is this the right word?
Reveal a sample reply
Est-ce le bon mot ?
Is this the right word?
Make it your own
- Ask for an example about your own day.
- Check a second possible meaning.
- Ask the person to write a different word.
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.
