French · Real conversations
Expressing preferences: French conversation practice
Explain what you would enjoy and make a joint choice. 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 deciding what to do or eat together.
Goal: Explain what you would enjoy and make a joint choice.
Read the conversation
Partner
Tu voudrais aller ailleurs ?
Show English translation
Would you like to go somewhere else?
You
Je préférerais rester ici.
Show English translation
I'd rather stay here.
Partner
Restons, alors. Qu'est-ce que tu veux boire ?
Show English translation
Let's stay, then. What would you like to drink?
You
J'ai envie d'un café.
Show English translation
I'm in the mood for coffee.
Partner
Ils ont un café fort et un plus doux.
Show English translation
They have a strong coffee and a milder one.
You
Les deux me vont.
Show English translation
Either is fine with me.
Partner
D'accord. Il y a aussi un en-cas épicé sur la carte.
Show English translation
Fine. There's also a spicy snack on the menu.
You
Je n'aime pas trop les plats épicés.
Show English translation
I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Partner
On peut choisir quelque chose de doux. J'aime venir ici.
Show English translation
We can choose something mild. I like coming here.
You
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes dans cet endroit ?
Show English translation
What do you like about this place?
Try your part first
Partner says: Would you like to go somewhere else? Your goal: I'd rather stay here.
Reveal a sample reply
Je préférerais rester ici.
I'd rather stay here.
Partner says: Let's stay, then. What would you like to drink? Your goal: I'm in the mood for coffee.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai envie d'un café.
I'm in the mood for coffee.
Partner says: They have a strong coffee and a milder one. Your goal: Either is fine with me.
Reveal a sample reply
Les deux me vont.
Either is fine with me.
Partner says: Fine. There's also a spicy snack on the menu. Your goal: I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Reveal a sample reply
Je n'aime pas trop les plats épicés.
I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Partner says: We can choose something mild. I like coming here. Your goal: What do you like about this place?
Reveal a sample reply
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes dans cet endroit ?
What do you like about this place?
Make it your own
- Choose between two different meals.
- Explain a preference without rejecting the person.
- Let your partner make the final choice.
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.
