French · Real conversations
Train journeys: French conversation practice
Check a route, a platform, and a connection. 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 passenger asking station staff about a journey.
Goal: Check a route, a platform, and a connection.
Read the conversation
Partner
Le premier train de votre trajet part bientôt.
Show English translation
The first train for your journey leaves soon.
You
C'est un train direct ?
Show English translation
Is this a direct train?
Partner
Non, son terminus est la gare de correspondance.
Show English translation
No, it ends at the junction station.
You
Est-ce que je dois changer de train ?
Show English translation
Do I need to change trains?
Partner
Oui, vous changez là-bas. Votre premier train part bientôt.
Show English translation
Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon.
You
Il part de quel quai ?
Show English translation
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner
Voie trois. Il y a un train plus tard si nécessaire.
Show English translation
Platform three. There's a later train if you need it.
You
Le billet est valable pour le prochain train ?
Show English translation
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner
Oui, votre billet est valable pour ce train. Vous avez peu de temps pour la correspondance.
Show English translation
Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection.
You
Qu'est-ce qui se passe si je rate la correspondance ?
Show English translation
What happens if I miss the connection?
Try your part first
Partner says: The first train for your journey leaves soon. Your goal: Is this a direct train?
Reveal a sample reply
C'est un train direct ?
Is this a direct train?
Partner says: No, it ends at the junction station. Your goal: Do I need to change trains?
Reveal a sample reply
Est-ce que je dois changer de train ?
Do I need to change trains?
Partner says: Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon. Your goal: Which platform does it leave from?
Reveal a sample reply
Il part de quel quai ?
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner says: Platform three. There's a later train if you need it. Your goal: Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Reveal a sample reply
Le billet est valable pour le prochain train ?
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner says: Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection. Your goal: What happens if I miss the connection?
Reveal a sample reply
Qu'est-ce qui se passe si je rate la correspondance ?
What happens if I miss the connection?
Make it your own
- Change the destination.
- Miss a connection.
- Ask about the return journey.
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.
