Learn French by LFBP

Wherever we are, whatever we're doing, the weather seems to have an effect on our general state of mind. In this short lesson, we'll meet some expressions which will provide the basics, whether it's a beautiful day or raining cats and dogs.

11. Talking about the weather

Type the word 'hangover' into google and it will return millions of hits. Remedies, cures, avoidance strategies, explanations - someone out there has all the answers. We can't pretend to have the ultimate cure, but we can, on the other hand, provide some vocabulary to discuss that unpleasant feeling in French.

12. I've got a hangover!

You're on vacation in France but, unfortunately, you develop an earache while you're there. There's nothing for it but a visit to the doctor. But how will you explain the problem? Furthermore, will you be able to understand what the doctor is saying to you?! Let's find out.

13. A visit to the doctor

Whether you're an avid creator of wonderful four-course dishes or incapable of boiling an egg, you'll find in this lesson a range of vocabulary which will take a meal through from preparation to completion. Don't worry - Amélie will tell us what to do!

14. Let's cook!

If you've been in France or another French-speaking country, chances are that you've found yourself asking for something in a shop, in French. It sounds so simple, but how, in fact, do we say 'I'll have that one... no, sorry... the one on the right...'? In this lesson, let's learn some of those essential phrases.

15. May I have one of those, please?

People are often very accommodating when we wish to take a photo with them in it. But it's usually advisable to ask first. Let's see how to do that in this lesson. We'll also see how to have them take our picture, using our camera.

16. Is it ok if I take your photo?

You make a phone call but the person you're looking for isn't there. Should you leave a message? Or maybe that's not necessary. Let's see, in this lesson, how the conversation might unravel.

17. She's not here right now - would you like to leave a message?

In this lesson, let's find out how to buy a train ticket. The vocabulary we'll meet will be just as useful when purchasing inter-city bus tickets, plane tickets, and so on. Let's see, also, how to say we'd prefer a window or aisle seat, or travel in the smoking or non-smoking section. Allons-y!

18. A return ticket to Toulouse, please...

In this lesson we're going to see what we'll need to say if we take something to a shop to have it repaired. First we'll need to describe the problem. We'll also find out how long it will take to resolve our problem.

19. My cell phone isn't working. I'd like to have it repaired, please...

A trip abroad can often lead to some unexpected physical condition – an upset stomach, itching from insect bites, blistered feet, and more. That, in turn, can lead us to the local pharmacy. But, what do we say when we get there? Let's find out in this lesson.

20. I need something for these mosquito bites!

You're just back from a fantastic holiday. The first question you'll be asked, of course, is 'How did it go?' There's so much to talk about: the weather, the food, the people, the location. Let's try out some of the vocabulary you're likely to need.

21. How was your holiday? [Part I]

In the second part of this two-part episode we'll meet the verb 'profiter (de)', we'll use the verb 'devoir' to say things like 'it must have been [difficult, shocking, fantastic]' and we'll revise the verb 'prendre' in the perfect tense, in relation to food.

22. How was your holiday? [Part II]

In this lesson, we'll discover how to postpone an appointment we've made. We'll study the expression 'je ne vais pas pouvoir [+ infinitive]' and we'll examine the verb 'décevoir', to disappoint (someone).

23. Sorry, I can't make it tonight...

It's a situation we regularly find ourselves in. We're in a bar or an auditorium looking for a seat. But, is the one we have our eye on actually free? How should we ask? Let's find out in this short - but practical - lesson.

24. Excuse me... Is this seat taken?

You're in a restaurant, looking forward to your meal. That menu, however, is a little confusing: what about all those ingredients? And the names of all those dishes! How can we make sense of it?… We'll need to know how to ask about ingredients. Let's find out.

25. Is this a vegetarian dish?

In this lesson, our goal is to find out how to ask someone to do a favour for us. We'll meet the expression 'rendre un service à quelqu'un'. We'll also re-visit the expression 'il y a' but in the immediate future form. Finally, we'll study how to deal with the english verb 'to get'.

26. Could you do me a favour?

In this lesson, we're talking about someone's new hairstyle. We'll discover some 'technical' terms in relation to hairstyling, we'll look at two different uses for 'chez', and we'll see how to say we're 'bored by' or 'fed up with' something. Allons-y!

27. Wow! Your hair looks great!

In this lesson, we'll be dealing with some internet-specific vocabulary. We'll meet some other useful expressions, too, including 'I don't want to complicate my life!', 'I'm not promising anything' and 'it would be good if...'. This last expression will require the subjunctive (hence the 'intermediate' level of this lesson). Let's take a closer look...

28. Do you have the internet at home?

In this lesson, we'll discover how to say 'It's been a while!' or 'It's been a long time!' We'll also find out how to ask what someone's been up to recently, and how to say that we've been working very hard...

29. It's been a long time!... What have you been up to?!

Our lesson dialogue this time focuses on working conditions as Qatar develops its infrastructure for the football World Cup in 2022. The tournament is some years away yet but the controversy surrounding the plight of workers is current, and real. To get started, let’s listen to a conversation between Béatrix and Rémy.

Learn French by LFBP

Brandon James McCallum