French · Real conversations
Restaurant problems: French conversation practice
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill. 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 diner speaking politely to restaurant staff.
Goal: Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
Read the conversation
Partner
Voici votre plat de poulet.
Show English translation
Here is your chicken dish.
You
Ce n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé.
Show English translation
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner
Je suis désolé / désolée. Je vérifie votre commande. Vous êtes prêts à choisir un dessert ?
Show English translation
I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert?
You
Est-ce qu'on pourrait avoir encore quelques minutes ?
Show English translation
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner
Bien sûr. Comment souhaitez-vous payer ?
Show English translation
Of course. How would you like to pay?
You
Est-ce qu'on peut payer séparément ?
Show English translation
Could we have separate bills?
Partner
Bien sûr. Vous avez reçu tout le reste ?
Show English translation
Certainly. Has everything else arrived?
You
Nous n'avons pas encore reçu nos boissons.
Show English translation
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner
Je vous les apporte tout de suite. Voici vos additions.
Show English translation
I'll bring them now. Here are your bills.
You
Je crois qu'il y a une erreur sur l'addition.
Show English translation
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Try your part first
Partner says: Here is your chicken dish. Your goal: This isn't what I ordered.
Reveal a sample reply
Ce n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé.
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner says: I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert? Your goal: Could we have a few more minutes?
Reveal a sample reply
Est-ce qu'on pourrait avoir encore quelques minutes ?
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner says: Of course. How would you like to pay? Your goal: Could we have separate bills?
Reveal a sample reply
Est-ce qu'on peut payer séparément ?
Could we have separate bills?
Partner says: Certainly. Has everything else arrived? Your goal: We haven't received our drinks yet.
Reveal a sample reply
Nous n'avons pas encore reçu nos boissons.
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner says: I'll bring them now. Here are your bills. Your goal: I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Reveal a sample reply
Je crois qu'il y a une erreur sur l'addition.
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Make it your own
- A different dish is missing.
- Ask for a shared bill.
- Explain a different bill error.
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.
