Get Talking French I 34
Get Talking French I 34
Jean-Claude Arragon was born and educated in France. His extensive experience
in teaching French at all levels, from beginner to postgraduate, has enabled him
to pinpoint the language needs of learners and to guide them towards success.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 1
Survival phrases
CC English words c French words
Can you repeat it, please? Pardon, vous pouvez répéter?
Once more, please. Encore une fois, s’il vous plaît.
Speak slower, please. Parlez plus lentement s’il vous plaît.
Do you understand? Vous comprenez?
I understand. Je comprends.
I don’t understand. Je ne comprends pas.
I don’t know. Je ne sais pas.
Is that right? C’est correct?
That’s right. C’est correct!
Do you speak English/French? Vous parlez anglais/français?
I speak French, but not very well. Je parle français, mais pas très bien.
How much does it cost? Ça coûte combien/Combien ça coûte?
Where is…? Où est…
I am sorry. Désolé/Je suis désolé
What time is it? Quelle heure est-il/ Il est quelle heure?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 2
CCintroduce yourself
CCtalk about who you are and what you do
CCtalk about marital status and
CCgreet people and say goodbye
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 3 French words and phrases and repeat.
Part 2
Listen carefully to a conversation between Patrick and a market researcher he met on the street. Then answer
Track 4 the question.
1. Where’s Patrick from?
Part 3
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.
Track 5
1. Is Patrick married?
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the
meanings of certain words. Then, practise using the expressions. Language tip!
Track 6
The expression bonjour is used
1. What does Bonjour mean?
during the day. In the evening, it
2. What does je suis mean? changes to bonsoir meaning: good
evening.
3. What does Désolée mean?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 3
Now listen and respond to the market researcher’s questions. Use the new words you just learned or words from
the original conversation. You should be able to tell where you’re from, if you are married, and what you do.
1. Woman: Bonjour. Vous êtes de Bordeaux?
You:
You:
3. Woman: Profession?
You:
Learning Plus!
Saying hello and goodbye and talking about where you live
First, let’s learn some expressions for saying hello and goodbye. These will serve you well in your dealings with
Track 8 French people.
Next, let’s learn some expressions for talking about where you live.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 4
Market researcher
Bonjour! Vous êtes de Bordeaux? Market researcher Hello! Are you from Bordeaux?
Patrick Oui, je suis de Bordeaux. Patrick Yes, I am from Bordeaux.
Market researcher Vous êtes marié? Market researcher Are you married?
Patrick Non, je suis célibataire. Patrick No, I am single.
Market researcher Profession? Market researcher Profession?
Patrick Je suis architecte. Patrick I’m an architect.
Market researcher Vous êtes en vacances? Market researcher Are you on holiday?
Patrick Non. Excusez-moi, je suis en retard! Patrick No. Excuse me, I’m late!
Market researcher Désolée! Market researcher Sorry!
Patrick Au revoir! Patrick Goodbye!
y
Booking
D a
2 a room
Today you will learn how to do the following:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 5
Track 11
1. When will Patrick arrive at the hotel?
2. How long will he stay?
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the meanings of certain expressions.
Track 12 Then, practise using the expressions.
1. What does pour une personne mean?
Part 5
Now it’s time to learn some more useful words to book a hotel room. Listen to the English words and repeat the
Track 13 French expressions.
Now let’s learn some words for items you may need in a hotel room.
Now try asking for items you would like in the room. Use the new words you’ve just learned or words from the
original conversation.
1. First, let’s ask, Do you have a television?
You:
2. Next, let’s try asking Do you have a hairdryer?
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 6
Conversation Script
CC French conversation CC English translation
Patrick Allô! L’Hôtel du Louvre? Patrick Hello! (Is this) the Hotel du Louvre?
Hotel manager Allô, oui? Hotel manager Hello, yes?
Patrick Vous avez une chambre? Patrick Do you have a room?
Hotel manager Pour une personne? Hotel manager For one person?
Patrick Oui, pour une personne. Patrick Yes, for one person.
Hotel manager Pour quand? Hotel manager For when?
Patrick Pour le deux juillet. Patrick For 2nd July.
Hotel manager Pour une nuit? Hotel manager For one night?
Patrick Non, pour neuf nuits. Patrick No, for nine nights.
Hotel manager Oui, j’ai une chambre libre. Hotel manager Yes, I have a room available.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 7
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 15 French words and phrases and repeat.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 8
Now let’s learn some expressions for asking where places in the hotel are.
1. Now ask the hotel manager a question about the hotel facilities. Begin your question with Excuse me, where is … and finish
your question using a new word or expression you just learned.
You:
Learning Plus!
Describing the hotel and the staff
Here are some adjectives to help you talk about the hotel and the staff. Listen to the English and repeat the
Track 20 French adjectives.
1. Now describe the staff of a hotel you‘ve been in. Remember that after the word staff, the French use is and not are: le
personnel est. Say your description about the staff.
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 9
Hotel manager Bonsoir, monsieur, vous Hotel manager Good evening, sir, what can I do
désirez? for you?
Patrick Bonsoir. J’ai réservé une Patrick Good evening. I have reserved a
chambre. room.
Hotel manager A quel nom? Hotel manager In what name?
Patrick Monsieur Patrick Dumont. Patrick Mr Patrick Dumont.
Hotel manager Une chambre pour une Hotel manager A room for one person?
personne?
Patrick Oui, pour une personne. Patrick Yes, for one person.
Hotel manager Voilà, la chambre six. Hotel manager Here (there) we are, room six.
Patrick Bon. Patrick Good.
Hotel manager Voilà la clé. Hotel manager Here is the key.
Patrick Merci. Au revoir. Patrick Thank you. See you later.
Asking for
a y
D
4 directions
Today you will learn how to do the following:
CCask for directions to a place and find out how far away it is
CCcheck you have got the instructions correct, using left and right
CCsay the names of places you want to visit and
CCuse more expressions asking for directions
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 10
Part 2
Listen carefully to the conversation between Patrick and the hotel receptionist. Then answer the question.
Track 22
1. Where does Patrick want to go?
Language tip!
Part 3 Did you notice at the end of his
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions. question –Où est l’Hôtel des
Invalides, s’il vous plaît?– Patrick
Track 23
1. Which way must Patrick turn when he walks out of his hotel? uses the polite expression for please,
2. Which street must he follow to reach the crossroads? S’il vous plaît? If you are talking to
a friend, you can also use the more
3. How far is the Hôtel des Invalides? familiar form: S’il te plaît.
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the meanings of certain expressions.
Track 24 Then, practise using the expressions.
1. What do à gauche and à droite mean?
Part 5
Now it’s time to learn the names of some places you may wish to get to when you visit France and some more
Track 25 direction words. Listen to the English and repeat the French expressions.
1. Now ask if the cathedral is far. Use the new words you’ve just learned.
You:
Language tip!
You may have noticed the words for
2. Now imagine that you answer: No, the cathedral is quite near.
the— le, la— that are placed before
You: some of the nouns you just learned.
Both words mean the, but le indicates
that the noun is masculine, and la
3. This time say: The station is far.
indicates that the noun is feminine.
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 11
Conversation Script
CC French conversation CC English translation
Hotel receptionist Bonjour, monsieur Dumont. Hotel receptionist Good morning, Mr Dumont.
Patrick Bonjour, mademoiselle. Vous Patrick Good morning, Miss. Do you
avez une minute? have a minute (to spare)?
Hotel receptionist Oui, bien sûr! Hotel receptionist Yes, of course!
Patrick Où est l’Hôtel des Invalides, Patrick Where is the Hôtel des
s’il vous plaît? Invalides, please?
Hotel receptionist Vous descendez la rue du Hotel receptionist
You go down Louvre
Louvre. Street.
Patrick A gauche? Patrick On the left?
Hotel receptionist Oui. Tout droit jusqu’au Hotel receptionist Yes. Straight down to the
carrefour, et ensuite crossroads, and then on the
à droite. right.
Patrick Bon. C’est loin? Patrick Good. Is it far?
Hotel receptionist Non, vingt–vingt-cinq minutes! Hotel receptionist No, 20–25 minutes!
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 12
CCask who is speaking and say you are pleased to hear from your friend
CCask how your friend is and if they are free
CCmake a plan for where and when to meet and
CCuse more expressions for talking with an old friend
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 27 French words and phrases and repeat.
Part 2
Listen carefully to the telephone conversation between Patrick and his long-time friend Claudine. Then answer
Track 28 the question.
1. When and where do Claudine and Patrick agree to meet?
Part 3
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.
Track 29
1. How do you know Claudine is pleased to hear from Patrick?
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the meanings of certain expressions.
Track 30 Then, practise using the expressions.
1. What does Ça va? mean?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 13
1. Now a friend asks if you are married. Reply that you are still single and ask: Language tip!
and you? Note the familiar form of address to
use when talking to people you know
Man: Tu es marié?
well: tu. It’s the equivalent of the old
You: English thou and must be followed by
the appropriate form of the verb. In
2. Now ask a female friend if she has any children. the case of you are, you have and you
go, you should say: tu es, tu as, tu vas.
You:
Learning Plus!
More expressions for talking with an old friend
The expressions which follow will be very helpful for you to get in touch with an old French friend. Listen to the
Track 32 English and repeat the French.
Conversation Script
CC French conversation CC English translation
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 14
y
Meeting an old
D a
6 friend for a coffee
Today you will learn how to do the following:
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 33 French words and phrases and repeat.
Part 2
Listen carefully to the conversation between Patrick and Claudine at a café in the hotel lobby. Then answer the
Track 34 question.
1. How much does Patrick’s order cost?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 15
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the meanings of certain expressions. Then,
Track 36 practise using the expressions.
1. What does Bien! Et pour vous? mean?
Part 5
Now it’s time to learn the names of some more drinks you might wish to order in a French café. Remember that
Track 37 in France cafés also usually sell alcoholic drinks. Listen to the English words and repeat the French expressions.
Learning Plus!
More expressions for ordering drinks in a café
The phrases which follow will be very useful when ordering drinks and talking to a waiter. Listen to the English
Track 38 and repeat the French expression.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 16
Conversation Script
CC French conversation CC English translation
*** ***
Waiter Voilà: un chocolat et un Waiter Here you are: one chocolate and a small
petit noir! black coffee!
Patrick Merci. C’est combien? Patrick Thank you. How much is it?
Waiter Dix euros. A la caisse, s’il vous plaît! Waiter Ten euros. (Pay) at the till, please!
a y Booking a table
D at a restaurant
7
Today you will learn how to do the following:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 17
Part 2
Listen carefully to the telephone conversation between Patrick and the restaurant manageress. Then answer the
Track 40 question.
1. For what date does Patrick book the table?
Part 3
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.
Track 41
1. How many people will there be at Patrick’s table?
Part 4
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the meanings of certain expressions. Then,
Track 42 practise using the expressions.
1. What does Je voudrais réserver une table mean?
Part 5
Now it’s time to learn some expressions which will be useful when booking a table at a restaurant. Listen to the
Track 43 English words and repeat the French expressions.
1. Now the restaurant manager asks For when? Say: For Saturday evening.
2. The restaurant manager asks What time? Answer him: For half past eight.
3. Now when you are asked if the reservation is for seven o’clock, reply No, for eight o’clock.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 18
You:
Conversation Script
CC French conversation CC English translation
Patrick Allô. Je voudrais réserver une table. Patrick Hello. I’d like to book / reserve a table.
Manageress Pour quand? Manageress For when?
Patrick (Pour) Mercredi soir. Patrick (For) Wednesday evening.
Manageress Le six? … Désolée, c’est complet! Manageress The sixth? … Sorry, it’s / we’re fully booked!
Patrick Et le sept? Patrick And the seventh?
Manageress Pour combien de personnes? Manageress For how many people?
Patrick Trois personnes. Patrick Three people.
Manageress Oui, c’est possible. Fumeurs ou Manageress Yes, it’s possible. Smoking or
non-fumeurs? non-smoking?
Patrick Non-fumeurs. Patrick Non-smoking.
Manageress Pour quelle heure? Manageress For what time?
Patrick Vers huit heures. Patrick At about eight o’clock.
Manageress A quel nom? Manageress In what name?
Patrick Monsieur Dumont. Patrick Mr Dumont.
Manageress Voilà, c’est fait! A jeudi soir! Manageress There you / we are, that’s done! See you
on Thursday evening!
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 19
y Arriving at a
Da restaurant for dinner
8
Today you will learn how to do the following:
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 45 French words and phrases and repeat.
Part 2
Listen carefully to the conversation between the manageress of a restaurant and Patrick, Claudine, and Daniel as
Track 46 they arrive for dinner. Then answer the question.
1. Where does Patrick want to sit, on the terrace or inside?
Part 3
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.
Track 47
1. What does Claudine want to drink?
2. What does Daniel ask for?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 20
Part 5
Now it’s time to learn some more words for ordering drinks. Listen to the English words and repeat the French
Track 49 expressions.
Learning Plus!
The time of day and the weather
These expressions will be very useful when you want to describe the weather and refer to the time of day.
Track 50
CC English expressions c French expressions
this morning ce matin
this evening ce soir
this afternoon cet après-midi
today aujourd’hui
tomorrow demain
warm chaud
cool frais
wind du vent
You:
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 21
Patrick Bonsoir, madame. On a réservé une Patrick Good evening, Madam. We have
table pour ce soir. booked a table for this evening.
Manageress A quel nom? Manageress In what name?
Patrick Monsieur Dumont. Patrick Mr Dumont.
Manageress Une seconde, je vérifie … Oui, trois Manageress One second, I’ll check … Yes, three
personnes, non- fumeurs. people, non- smokers.
Patrick C’est ça. Patrick That’s it.
Manageress A la terrasse ou à l’intérieur? Manageress On the terrace or inside?
Patrick Euh, à l’intérieur. Il fait un peu froid ce Patrick Er, inside. It’s a little cold this
soir. evening.
Manageress Dans ce cas, il faut attendre un Manageress In that (this) case, you’ll have to wait
moment. a moment.
Claudine Pas de problème, on a le temps. Claudine No problem, we’ve got time!
Patrick On prend quelque chose en Patrick Shall we have something to drink while
attendant? we wait?
Claudine Pourquoi pas? Pour moi, un martini Claudine Why not? For me, a martini with (some)
avec des glaçons. ice (cubes).
Patrick Et pour toi, Daniel? Patrick And for you, Daniel?
Daniel Une bière pression. Daniel A draught beer.
Patrick Monsieur! Un martini, une bière Patrick Waiter! One martini, one draught beer
(pression) et un whisky, s’il vous plaît. and a whisky, please!
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 22
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 23
1. Now, listen to the manageress ask: And for you? Then say: What do you recommend?
Learning Plus!
Expressions for prices and describing a meal in a restaurant
The expressions which follow will be very useful when you’re in a restaurant. Listen to the English and repeat the
Track 56 French expressions.
1. Imagine that you are leaving the restaurant where you just ate. Tell your friend what you thought of the meal. Use an
expression you’ve just learned.
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 24
Manageress Messieurs-dames, il y a une table Manageress Ladies and gentlemen, there is a table
libre. available.
Patrick Parfait. Patrick Perfect.
Manageress Voilà le menu … et la carte des vins. Manageress Here is the menu … and the wine list.
Patrick Merci. On mange à la carte? Patrick Thank you. Shall we eat à la carte?
Claudine Non, je vais prendre le menu Claudine No, I’m going to take / have the menu
à 25 euros. at 25 euros.
Patrick Et toi, Daniel? Patrick And you, Daniel?
Daniel Moi aussi. Daniel Me too.
Patrick D’accord. Madame! Patrick OK / agreed. Madam!
Manageress Oui? Manageress Yes?
Patrick Trois menus à 25 euros. Patrick Three menus at 25 euros.
Manageress Bien. Manageress Fine.
Patrick Trois salades tièdes … un steak garni Patrick Three warm salads … a steak with chips
pour monsieur. and vegetables for the gentleman.
Manageress Et avec ça? Manageress And with that?
Patrick Deux confits de canard aux Patrick Two confits of duck with
champignons. mushrooms.
Manageress Et pour les boissons? Manageress And for drinks?
Patrick Un moment, s’il vous plaît. Patrick One moment, please.
Claudine Moi, je voudrais une carafe d’eau avec Claudine I’d like a jug of water with some
des glaçons. ice (cubes).
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 25
Part 1
Here are the key phrases you’ll hear in today’s conversation. Listen to the English meaning. Then, listen to the
Track 57 French words and phrases and repeat.
Part 2
Listen carefully to the conversation between Patrick and the pharmacist. Then answer the question.
Track 58
1. What does Patrick get for his headache and what form is it in, tablets or capsules?
Language tip!
Part 3
You will remember that earlier we came
Listen to the conversation again and answer the questions.
across the masculine singular and the
Track 59
1. What is the pharmacist’s explanation for Patrick’s feminine singular French words for the–
sore throat? le, la—as well as their shortened form
when followed by a vowel: l’intérieur.
2. What form of medicine does Patrick choose for his aching throat,
tablets or spray? The plural form for both le and la is
les. Les restaurants, les tables, les
Part 4 intérieurs
Now listen to the conversation again. Answer the questions about the
Track 60 meanings of certain expressions. Then, practise using the expressions.
1. What does Bonjour, monsieur. Vous désirez? mean?
2. What does C’est tout? mean?
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 26
1. Listen to a friend ask What’s the matter? when they see that you are having difficulty walking. Tell them: My right leg
is hurting.
2. Now, when asked: Shall we go to the restaurant this evening? reply: No, I have a headache.
3. Now it’s your turn to ask a question. Ask a friend who looks unwell if he has a headache.
You:
You:
Learning Plus!
Practise with I’m going to
The phrases which follow will be very useful in a variety of situations. Language tip!
Listen to the English and repeat the French expressions.
Track 62 Now for a little more useful grammar
about using the word some when
CC English expressions c French expressions
you’re not sure of an amount.
I’m going to, you’re going to, or we’re going to. Je vais, vous allez, on va.
For nouns that are masculine and
I’m going to have a hot chocolate. Je vais prendre un
singular, use: du. For feminine singular
chocolat chaud.
use: de la. Remember, if the word
You’re going to order a steak. Vous allez commander
begins with a vowel you should
(said to a stranger or several people) un steak.
eliminate the vowel ending. Compare:
Are we going to eat on the terrace? On va manger à la terrasse?
some wine, some beer, some orange:
du vin, de la bière, de l’orange.
1. How would you say: some coffee and some herbal tea?
In the plural, it’s much easier: you use
You: the same word in every case: des. Now
compare some wines, some beers,
some oranges: Des vins, des bières,
2. Good luck saying some aspirin and some paracétamol!
des oranges.
You:
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 27
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 28
CC SEASONS
spring printemps (m.)
summer été (m.)
autumn automne (m.)
winter hiver (m.)
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 29
CC Day 2 CC Part 2. 1. He books the table for the 7th. Part 3. 1. There will be
three people. 2. The table is reserved for about eight o’clock. Part 4. 1.
CC Part 2. 1. He wants a room for one person. Part 3. 1. He’ll arrive It means I’d like to book or reserve a table. 2. It means Sorry, we’re fully
on the second of July. 2. He’ll stay for nine nights. Part 4. 1. It means booked! 3. It means There you are, it’s done! Part 5. Sample answers:
for one person. 2. It means do you have? 3. It means free or vacant 1. Pour samedi soir. 2. Pour huit heures et demie. 3. Non, pour huit heu-
or unoccupied for a seat or a place. Part 5. Sample answers: 1. Vous res. Learning Plus! Sample answers: 1. Pour lundi soir, vers sept heures
avez la télevision? 2. Vous avez un sèche-cheveux? et demie. 2. Pour huit jours. 3. Pour moi, monsieur Dumont. 4. Où et
quand?
CC Day 3
CC Day 8
CC Part 2. 1. It’s room six. Part 3. 1. It’s Dumont. 2. He booked a sin-
CC Part 2. 1. Patrick wants to sit inside. Part 3. 1. Claudine wants a
gle room. Part 4. 1. It means I’ve reserved a room. 2. It means here
martini with ice cubes. 2. Daniel asks for a draught beer. 3. Patrick
is the key. Part 5. 1. Sample answer: Excusez-moi, où est l’ascenseur?
orders a whisky. Part 4. 1. It means Waiter! 2. It means In that case.
Learning Plus! Sample answers: 1. Le personnel est sympathique. /
3. It means We have reserved a table for this evening. Part 5. Sam-
Le personnel est sympa!
ple answers: 1. Un jus d’orange avec des glaçons. 2. On va demander
la note maintenant? Learning Plus! Sample answers: 1. Il fait un
CC Day 4 peu frais cet après-midi. 2. Il fait du vent ce matin.
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 30
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 31
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 32
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 33
Get Talking French In Ten Days © HODDER & Stoughton LTD. 2012 34