Simply French for Beginners

Verbs we used for the pictures on 23rd Jan 2019 (in English alphabetical order):

To carry = porter ( To bring = apporter)

To cook = cuisiner (a kitchen = une cuisine)

To cut = couper

To drive = conduire

To dry (oneself) = se sêcher

To eat = manger

To hear = entendre

To hit / knock = frapper

To hold = tenir

To laugh = rire

To light (a match, a candle) = allumer (une allumette, une bougie)

To listen = écouter

To pay = payer

To play = jouer

To point = indiquer

To put = mettre

To see = voir

To shout = crier

To shower (oneself) = se doucher

To sleep = dormer

To smile = sourer

To stand = se tenir (literally to hold oneself)

To take = prendre

To wait = attendre

To wash (oneself) = se laver

To watch = regarder

Questions we asked and how we answered:

When we looked at the picture of the house, and its rooms, we asked:

Qu’est-ce qu’on peut voir (dans cette image) = what can you (one) see in this image/picture?

We replied:

On peut voir ,,,= you (one) can see ….

Or je peux voir …= I can see (“peux” sounds the same as “peut”)

And

Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire (dans la cuisine) = what can you (one) do in the kitchen?

We replied:

On peut dormer = you (one) can sleep

Or

 je peux dormer / on peut me laver / on peut faire une Bain  / on peut faire une douche

 

Vocab :

A bed = un lit

A book shelf = une étagere à livres

Ground floor = premier étage (first floor = deuxieme étage, etc.)

A bath = le bain

A teddy bear = un ours en peluche (literally a stuffed bear)

An oven = un four

A fridge = un réfrigérateur (or un frigo in slang)

A wash basin = un lavabo

The taps = les robinet

The cold tap = le robinet froid (le robinet chaud for hot)

The bedroom = la chambre

The kitchen = la cuisine

The living room = le salon

The bath room = la sale de bain

A painting = un peinture

A drinks cupboard = une armoire des boissons (?)

A television = un télèvision

A wall = une mur

A shower = une douche

A lamp = une lampe

A gardn = un jardin

A tree = un arbre

Some flowers = des fleurs

 

Some vocab from the picture of the girls with the car and suitcases :

The suitcase = la valise

The mountain = la montagne (the hill = la colline)

They (female) are speaking/talking = elles parlent (pronounced “el parl”)

In summer = en été (in winter = en hiver, in autumn = en automne, but in spring = au printemps)

four young girls/ladieson holiday = quattre jeune filles en vacances

This exercise was based on the Paris public transport system and practices giving and taking directions.

The Paris transport map looks like the London underground map, but it is more complicated because the lines are a mixture of Trams, Trains and Metro, and you need to decide which is which to navigate your way around.

 

We also looked at using the phrases "on peut" and "on doit" as ways of avoiding conjugating other verbs. For example, we used "on doit prendre.." (literally = "one must take") to mean "you must take" (e.g the train) instead of having to say "vous devez prendre".

 

French people often use “one” to avoid conjugating other verbs 

e.g.on doit prendre … = one must take (it can be translated as I, we, you must take, etc. depending on context)

on doit échanger = one must swap (I, you, we must swap, etc.)

 

This approach means you only have to remember the "il/elle/on" ending of Devoir (to have to) = on doit,

then you put the whole verb you want to use after it

e.g.On doit aller…., = one must go

On doit retourner…., = one must return

On doit partir…., = one must leave

On doit arriver….= one must arrive

You could also use « on peut … = one can …. »

 

And it doesnt only work for directions....

on peut chanter = one can sing

on peut trouver = one can find, etc. 

on doit chercher = one must look for

 

Some general vocabulary for our transport exercise:

To change (e.g. to another line or to the tram) = échanger (can also use changer)

(you) take = prenez

(you) go by foot = allez à pied

It takes 15 minutes = ça prend quinze minutes

The red line = la ligne rouge (jaune, violette, grise, noire, etc.)

Line number 6 = la ligne numéro six (or, la ligne six)

in the direction of (e.g. Roissy) = à la direction (e.g. Roissy)

Towards = vers

 

How can I go to ….? = comment puis-je aller à …. ? OR comment puis-je arriver à …. ? (OR ,[how] to get to… ? = Pour aller à ….? )

 

Le tram = the tram / Le train = le train (careful as Tram and Train sound very similar in French!)the metro/underground = le Métro

 

Here below are some examples to read aloud, to practise pronunciation and to give an idea of the way the vocab may be used...After doing these you can look at the map and pick other destinations, starting and finish points, to role play.

 

Example 1:

Le Monsieur a fini sa réunion à Le Bourget, du nord de Paris, mais il est perdu.

A : Excusez-moi Madame, pour aller au Gare de Lyon, s’il vous plaît ?

B : Oui, Monsieur, ce n’est pas compliqué. Prenez le RER "B", vers Saint Remy. Échangez-vous à Châtelet-les Halles, et prenez la RER ligne à la direction Marne-la-Vallée ou Boissy-st-Léger.Le Gare de Lyon est le premier arrêt sur cette ligne, je crois.

A : Merci Madame, c’est loin ?

B : Oui, Monsieur. Ça va prendre quarante ou cinquante minutes. Ça dépend des trains.

A : Merci Madame.

 

Vocab :L’ arrêt = the stop

Je crois = I believe

 

Example 2:

Les deux amis sont à Marie de Montrouge, sont fatigués et voudraient retourner chez ils. 

E : Madame, s’il vous plaît, quel train pour Nation ?

F : Il n’y a pas un train pour Nation. On doit prendre le Métro, ligne quatre, vers Porte de Clignancourt, et échangez-vous à Denfert Rochereau. Alors, je crois que la ligne six va à Nation. C’est la fin de la ligne.

G : Vous êtes certaines, Madame ? Je croyais le RER va à Nation.

F : Non Monsieur, ce n’est pas vrai. On doit prendre le Métro. Ou peut-être aller par taxi ?

G : Non Madame, c’est bon, nous allons prendre le Métro. Ligne quatre et ligne six. Merci Madame.

F : Ce n’était rien.

 

Vocab :Je croyais = I thought (literally - I was thinking)

Ce n’est pas vrai = it/that is not true

Ce n’était rien = it was nothing (used here like – "you are welcome")

 

Example 3:

La Madame se tient à Boulevard Hausmann et elle veut aller au Gare d’Austerlitz.

C : Ah, Monsieur, excusez-moi. Je voudrai aller au Gare d’Austerlitz, est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider, s’il vous plaît?

D : Bien sûr Madame. On peut aller à pied au gare Hausmann Saint-Lazaire, c’est là.On peut suivre les correspondances vers Auber à pied, et là, on doit prendre le train RER « A » vers Vincennes, la direction est, et débarquez-vous au Gare de Lyon. Le Gare de Lyon et le Gare d’Austerlitz sont connectés par une liaison urbaine.

Ou, si vous voulez, on peut prendre le métro à Saint-Lazaire, numéro quatorze, la direction Olympiades. Encore on doit débarquer à Austerlitz. On peut choisir !

C : Merci monsieur, je crois je prends le Métro.

D : Si vous voulez. Au revoir Madame.

C : Au revoir Monsieur.

 

Vocab :Elle se tient = she stands

 

Suivre = to follow

 

Les correspondances = the transfers

 

Est/ouest/nord/sud = east/west/north/south

 

débarquez-vous = (you) get off / disembark

 

une liaison urbaine = an urban connection (like a walkway or underpass perhaps)

 

Lost and stolen:

I have lost = j’ai perdu

You have lost = tu as perdu (informal and singular)

She/He has lost = elle/il a perdu

We have lost = nous avons perdu

You have lost = vous avez perdu (formal and/or plural)

They have lost = elles/ils ont perdu

*Note: the past participle here, "perdu", does not change how it sounds. However when written, it sometimes follows the gender and number of the object(s), but it always sounds the same – so lost could be spelt = perdu, perdue, perdus, or perdues

 

The format is, verb + Past participle + Combined with "to have"

To lose = perdre; Lost = perdu; I have lost = j’ai perdu;

To steal = voler; Stolen = volé; Someone has stolen = quelqu’un a volé;

To find = trouver; Found = trouvé; I have found = J’ai trouvé;

To look for = chercher; Looked for = cherché; I have looked for = j’ai cherché;;

To take = prendre; Taken = pris; Someone has taken = quelqu’un a pris

To help = aider; Helped = aidé; I have helped = j’ai aidé;

To report = rapporter; Reported = rapporté;; I have reported = j’ai rapporté

 

Some things you might hear when you report something lost or stolen:

Bonjour Monsieur/Madame, est-ce que je peux vous aider? = hello sir/madame, can I help you ?

 

Qu'est-ce que c'est arrivé ? = what happened ?

[ OR ] Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? = what’s the matter?

 

Quand est-ce que c’est arrivé? = when did it happen ?

[ OR ] Quand est-ce qu'il s'est passé ?

 

Où est-ce que c'est arrivé ? = where did it happen ?

 

Décrivez votre ….(item) = describe your ….(item)

 

Où restez-vous ? Votre adresse, s’il vous plaît = where are you staying ? your address please

 

Je vais vous donner un numéro de référence. = I am going to give you a reference number.

Vous l'avez besoin pour l’assurance. = You need it for your insurance.

 

Some vocabulary that you might lose or have stolen:

• Bicycle = le vélo

• Car = la voiture

• Coat = le manteau

• Hand bag = le sac à main

• Jacket = le veston or la veste

• Keys = les clefs 

• Car keys = le clef de la voiture / House keys = le clef de la maison

• (Hotel) room key = le clef de la chambre

• Lap top = le portable (computer = l’ordinateur [masc])

• Mobile phone = le portable (also la téléphone cellulaire)

• Passport = le passeport

• Purse = le porte-monnaie

• Suitcase = la valise

• Wallet = le porte-feuille

• Déposer plainte = file a complaint

 

When did it happen?

• Yesterday = hier / last night = hier soir (in English when we say last night we usually mean yesterday evening) / this morning = ce matin / yesterday evening = hier soir

 

From a web site - protocol?

“….The police will file a “récépissé de declaration de vol” or Declaration of Theft. You will need copies for your insurance….”

past tense French verbs, vocab, 5 9 18

In this file you sould find a copy of the tables we used in the session on the 5th Sept, covering some high frequency verbs in the past tense, using avoir and etre.

You will find there the past participles of the following verbs:

(using avoir)

• demander
• être
• pouvoir
• acheter
• choisir
• fermer
• faire
• boire
• manger
• trouver
• finir
• devoir
• savoir
• chercher
• perdre
• ouvrir
• mettre
• pousser
• quitter
• dire
• voir
• vendre
• prendre
• visiter
• vouloir

(Using etre)

• arriver
• venir
• entrer
• aller
• sortir
• partir

 

Comparisons of size

(can also be used for almost any adjectives, not just size - e.g more old than, the oldest, etc.)

grand = large or big or tall

·        plus grand = larger, or bigger or taller

·         le plus grand = the largest (etc)

·         moins grand = « less large »

·         le moins grand = the « least large »

·         trop grand = too large

 

lourd = heavy)

·         plus lourd

·         le plus lourd

·         moins lourd

·         le moins lourd

·         trop lourd

 

épais(se) (=thick)

·         plus épais

·         le plus épais

·         moins épais

·         le moins épais

·         trop épais

 

mince (=thin)

·         plus mince

·         le plus mince

·         moins mince

·         le moins mince

·         trop mince

 

plein (=full)

·         plus plein

·         le plus plein

·         moins plein

·         le moins plein

·         trop plein

 

plus grand que = larger than …

moins grand que = less large than …

 

Just right ?

·         C’est bon

·         Exacte !

·         C’est bien

·         Alors, oui

·         D’accord, oui

Past tense – perfect tense.

In English, to say something in the past, for example, to say we visited somewhere, we say “I have visited (something) = I have + visited + (somewhere) 

The first part (I have) is said the same way as the present tense, and then we add a past version of the the other verb, a “past participle” to show what has happened – in this example “visited” is the past participle of the verb “to visit”.

It is the same in French.

I have visited = j’ai visité (=j’ai + visité)

 

As far as we are concerned, the sound of the past participle (“visité” in this example) stays the same* and gets added to the, ”I have”, “you have”, “she has”, etc.

(*Note: this is true regarding how it sounds, however the past participle follows the gender and number of the object(s), so you may see written = visité, visitée visités visitées, but it always sounds the same)

 

So…..I have visited = j’ai visité / you have visited = vous avez visité /She/He has visited = elle/il a visité

 

In English, to make a past participle we mostly put an “ed” on the end of the verb (“visit” becomes “has visited”, “look” becomes “has looked”, watch becomes “has watched”) but we also have “eat”, becoming “has eaten”, “send” becoming “has sent”, “catch” becoming “has caught”, “do” becoming “has done”, etc.

 

French also has variations, just like English, but lots of past participles have a similar ending.

 

Some past participles ending in « é »

J’ai visité ma Maman.

J’ai visité la cathédrale.

J’ai acheté un livre.

J’ai acheté un journal.

J’ai demandé une question.

J’ai demandé pourquoi ?

 

Il a visité ma Maman.

Il a visité la cathédrale.

Il a acheté un livre.

Elle a acheté un journal.

Elle a demandé une question.

Elle a demandé pourquoi ?

 

Nous avons visité ma Maman.

Nous avons visité la cathédrale.

Vous avez acheté un livre.

Vous avez acheté un journal.

Elles ont demandé une question.

Ils ont demandé pourquoi ?

 

Some past participles ending in « u »

J’ai vu un chien.

J’ai vu le soleil.

J’ai vendu la valise.

J’ai vendu ma voiture.

J’ai perdu mon passeport.

J’ai perdu mes lunettes.

 

Il a vu un chien.

Elle a vu le soleil.

Nous avons vendu la valise.

Vous avez vendu ma voiture.

Ils ont perdu mon passeport.

Tu as perdu tes lunettes.

 

Some past participles ending in « i (or is) »

J’ai pris le train.

Il a pris mon stylo.

Elle a choisi un chapeau.

Nous avons choisi le fromage.

Ils ont fini mon repas.

Tu as fini le livre.

 

Some « times » in the past to help say when something happened:

Hier / Cet après-midi / Ce matin / Ce soir / La semaine dernière Récemment = recently / Dernièrement = latelyA specific time (such as, « à huit heures et demi… »)

 

The negative versions.

Like in English, the negative words link to the « to have » verb.

We say, “I have not visited”, or “I haven’t visited”. These change the verb “I have”, to “I have not”, then the past participle is added unchanged.

 

So in French the “ne…pas” goes around the avoir verb:

 

I have not visited = je n’ai pas visité

 

He has not visited = il n’a pas visité

 

We have not seen = nous n’avons pas vu

 

They have not taken = ils n’ont pas pris

Pronunciation.

Remember pronunciation in English differs with accents across the UK; with French in France it is the same, and these examples show my understanding of the accent.

However we were focusing on not making "English" pronunciation of French words!

 

Pronunciation of Vowel sounds on their own:

• “a” = “a” as in “happy” ---- example in “avoir” (to have)

• “e” = “ur” as in “purple” --- example in “de”, “le” (of, the)

• “I” = “ee” as in “see” --- example in “si” (if) 

• “o” = “oh” as on “go” --- example = “euro”

• “u” = “euu” – in English we have no sound like this. Put your lips in the shape of an “oo” sound, and then say “ee” through that shape --- example in “tu”

 

The same vowels sometimes change sounds when they have a consonant behind them

• “an” = close to “on” (mouth open taller than “en”) --- example in “an” (year)

• “en” = close to “on” (mouth open shorter than “an”) --- example in “vendredi” (Thursday)

• “on” = close to “on” --- example in “bon” (good)

• “in” = close to “an” --- example in “vin” (wine)

• “un” = close to “uhn” --- example “un” (one)

 

Combinations of vowels (a vowel followed by “u”):

• “au” = close to “orh” almost “oh” --- example in “au gare” (to the station)

• “eu” = “urh” --- example in “deux” (two)

• “ou” = “oo” --- example in “douze” (twelve)

 

Combinations of vowels (a vowel followed by “i”):

• “ai” = “ay” --- example in “je voudrais”• “ei” = “ay” --- example in “enseigner” (to teach)

• “oi” = ”wah” --- example in trois (three)

• “ui” = “uwee” --- example in “fruit” (fruit)

 

Some French Examples to try:

Le couloir (Cool - wah) = Corridor

Le désire (Dayz - ear) = Desire

Je prends (jurh pr-on) = I take 

français (Frons - ay) = French

demander (Der – mon - day) = To ask 

Tu peux (Teuu - perh) = You can 

Le visage (Vee - z - arje) = Face 

Quand (Kon) = When 

Cinquante (Sank - ont) = Fifty 

Incrédible (An – kray – dee - bluh) = Incredible 

Évidemment (Ay – vee – durh - mon) = Clearly, evidently 

Particulièremen (tPar – teek euul – ee – air – erm - on) = Particularly

 

Accents on vowels:

• “à” = “a”

• “â” = “a”

• “é” = “ay” --- example in “change” (changed)

• “è” = “air” or “ehh” --- long sound, example in “frère” (brother)

• “ê” = “eh”--- shorter sound, example in “être” (to be)

• “ù” = “oo”

• “ô” = “oh” example in “à côté de » (next to, at the side of)

 

Letters or symbols that soften or harder a consonant:

 

• The letters “c” and “g” can be pronounced hard of soft, depending on the vowel behind it.

 

• Either an “I” or an “e” after it will soften it, e.g. “c” and “ce” and “ci” “ge” and “gi” 

 

• “Franc” versus “France”; “voici”; “Giroud”, “gestion”

 

• “a”, “o”, or “u” will harden it such as “organiser”, “gomme”, “guide”, “figues”, “baguettes”, 

 

• A word like “garage” has a hard 1st “g” because of the “a” after it and a soft 2nd “g” because of the “e” after it. “Gorge” (throat) has the same

 

• “c” is also softened by a tail sometimes, e.g. “ç”

Questions for the Bike hirer.

Say you would like to hire two bicycles please.

Ask if they have bikes for ladies as well as for men.

You would like two helmets as well.

Ask if they have paniers so you can take a picnic?

Ask if there are some good cycle routes in the area?

Ask if they have a map they can give to you?

Ask what is the latest time you must return the bike?

Ask where should you collect the bikes? And return them?

Ask what time they close?

 

Questions for the Bike hire shop owner to ask.

Ask if they want standard bikes or electric bikes.

Ask if they want bikes for adults or children?

Ask if they want bikes for men or for women?

Do they want bikes for all day or half a day?

Do they want to take a guided tour, they are very good. €35 per adult for all day, includes bike.

Ask if they have insurance; offer them insurance if they have not. €5 per person, per hire.

Ask if they want a bike lock? €5.

Other prices:

Helmets adults or children = €6

Basket = €3

Panier = €4 each, max two per bike

Tool box is included (= inclus) with every hire

A route map of good cycle routes is included

 

Vocabulary:

La location des vélos = (bike hire station)

Disponibles en tailles adulte et enfant = available in adult and children sizes

Un vélo fabriqués pour les hommes, les femmes, les enfants = a bike made for men, ladies, children

La Casques = helmet,

Un antivol = anti theft devices

Une boîte à outils = toolbox

Une assurance responsabilité civile tous risques = civil risk insurance

Le panier = note "panier" is French for basket and not for panier !

Une sacoche = panier

Les itinéraires cyclable = cycle routes

 

 

• La Fête des Brodeuses = the embroidery festival
• Fêtes Historiques de Vannes = Vannes’ historical festival
• Rade en fête = Rade fesitival (literally Rade “in festival” i.e. with a festival going on)
• Une visite guidée de l'île Tristan = a guided visit to Tristan island
• Une spectacle pour enfants, adultes, etc. = a show for children, for adults, etc.
• Porte ouverte Musée des Ardoisières = Museum of Ardoisières open day
• Un aqueduc au temps des Romains = an aquaduct from Roman times
• Une balade nature : Les Glénan = a nature walk in Les Glénan
• Un atelier les animaux (pour les enfants) = an animal workshop
• Un atelier de céramique /un atelier de verre = a ceramic/glass workshop
• Un marché artisanale = a craft market
• Une exposition en verre, etc. = a glass exhibition
• Une sortie nature : grande marée = a nature trip :  high tide
• Embarquez à bord de La Recouvrance : Sortie 1/2 journée à Brest après-midi = climb aboard La Recouvrance : a half day afternoon trip to Brest
• Bal populaire = hoedown
• Feu d'artifice = fireworks
• Promenades en mer = sea trips
• 4ème édition du Marché du Terroir et de l'Artisanat = the 4th Terroir market and crafts event
• Spectacles autour de l'exposition = shows around the exhibition
• Jumping de Saint-Quay-Portrieux = Saint-Quay-Portrieux show jumping
• Une montgolfière = a hot air balloon
• Les sports nautiques = water sports
• Location de scooters des mers = jet ski hire
• Aller faire de la voile = to go sailing
• Exposition en plein air = outdoor exhibition (literally, exhibition “in full air”)
• Randonnée des sommets de Bretagne = hiking the summits of Brittany
• Faire de la randonnée = to go hiking
• Une balade littéraire Louis Guilloux - Saint-Brieuc = a literary walk about Louis Guilloux at Saint-Brieuc
• Journées européennes du patrimoine = European heritage days
• Une visite guidée "une plongée dans le cœur de la ville" = a guided visit « a dive into the heart of the city »
• Les Mardis de l'Eté = Summer Tuesdays
• Stage de fabrication du pain = Bread making workshop
• Découverte de la Réserve Naturelle = discover the nature reserve
• Une dégustation = a « tasting » event (such as a wine tasting, cheese tasting, etc.)

Below there is a translation of a specific canoe and bike hire site - note the use of "a walk by canoe"

Balades et randonnées canoë et vélo : = literally, walks and hikes by canoe and bike

La Route du Sel propose un large choix de balades et randonnées en canoë autour de Sallertaine, village typique du Nord Ouest Vendée. = La Route du Sel offers a wide choice of easy and harder canoe and bike trips around Sallertaine, a typical north west Vendée village.

L'été, une antenne est ouverte au camping les Rouches à Saint Urbain : balades canoë et vélo y sont proposées. = In summer, a subsidiary is open for camping at les Rouches à Saint Urbain : bike and canoe trips are offered.

Venez découvrir de superbes paysages, la Faune et la Flore du Marais Breton Vendéen ainsi que sa culture locale. = Come and discover the superb landscapes, the flora and fauna of the Vendée Breton marshes as well as its local culture

En balades guidées ou en location, une découverte originale et conviviale vous attend ! = By guided trip or via rentals, an original and friendly discovery awaits you!

La Route du Sel est ouverte toute l'année = The Route de Sel is open all year round

Réception ouverte toute l'année de 9h30 à 18h = reception is open all year round from 9h30 to 18h

Antenne estivale ouverte du 30 juin au 1er septembre de 9h à 18h30 = summer subsidiary is open from 30th June to 1st Sept, between 9h and 18h30

Réservation fortement recommandée = booking is strongly recommended

Les locations - Randonnées canoë et vélo en toute liberté = Rental – canoe and bike trips in complete freedeom

La Route du Sel vous propose plusieurs balades en canoë près du village de Sallertaine. = La Route du Sel offers you several canoe trips near Sallertaine village.

Nous proposons les balades en autonomie ou les balades guidées. = we offer guided trips or self-guided trips

On the 27th June we made a small game with props, ultimately asking "what have you packed in your suitcase?" The idea was to introduce some vocabulary that may be helpful on holiday, because you forgot it, lost it or needed to buy it.

At the same time, we used the past tense for the first time, the one we used is called the perfect tense, and we used possessive pronouns (my, your, our, etc).

Past tense - the Perfect tense

Although there are differences in how French manages this past tense, the structure is very similar. In English we would say "I have done...(something)" - which uses the present tense of "to have"  (here it = "I have") plus a past tense for "to do", which is "done".

So, I have + done = I have done...

This part in French is very similar. I have = J'ai - easy enough so far. Then we need to add a past tense for "to do". To do = faire, and the past tense for "faire" is "fait". (this is called the past participle) 

So, J'ai + fait = j'ai fait = I have done.

In English "I have brought ..." uses "I have" again, plus the past tense of "to bring" = "brought". 

So, I have + brought = I have brought.

In French "to bring = apporter," and the past tense of "apporter" is "apporté".

So, J'ai + apporté = j'ai apporté... = I have brought.

 

Simplifying things, the past participle does not change, only the "I have" part does.

So, I have done = j'ai fait, you have done = vous avez fait, we have done = nous avons fait, etc, etc. Fait stays the same throughout, only the "I have" part changes.

 

Possessions.

French nouns (things) are either masculine, feminine or plural and the possessive pronoun changes to suit the thing it refers to.

Mon chapeau = my hat, because "mon" is masculine and "le chapeau" is masculine.

Ma voiture = my car, because "ma" is feminine and "la voitrue" is feminine.

Mes lunettes = my spectacles, because "lunettes" are plural and "mes" is plural.

For your... something it uses votre and vos. Good news, masculine and feminine are the same for your. So...

Votre chapeau = your hat, because "votre" is both masculine and feminine.

Votre vopiture = your car, because "votre" is both masculine and feminine.

Vos lunettes = your spectacles, because "lunettes" are plural and "vos" is plural.

 

So the exercise...

The notes below show two sets of questions and vocab that we worked through.

Q : Est-ce que vous avez fait votre valise ? = Have you done (packed) your suitcase ?

A : Oui, j'ai fait ma valise = Yes I have done my suitcase

Q : Qu’est-ce que vous avez apporté pour les vacances ? = what have you brought for the holidays ?

A : J'ai apporté mon / ma / mes (m / f / plural)… = I have brought my …

 

Vocabulaire:

Sun cream = la crème solaire

Shampoo = le shampooing

Sun glasses = les lunettes de soleil

T shirts = un T-shirt

Shorts = un short 

Sandals = les sandales (f), les espadrilles (f)

flip-flops = les (f) tongs (remember Australians call flip flops thongs)

Swimming costume = le maillot de bain, la costume natation

Electrical adaptor = un adaptateur (m) électrique

Insect repellent = l'insectifuge

Swimming goggles = les lunettes de plongée (plonger = to dive)

Raincoat = un imperméable

Sun hat = un chapeau de soleil

Baseball cap = une casquette de baseball

The frisbee = le frisbee

The book = le livre

 

Q : Avez-vous apporté votre/vos … = have you brought your …(m or f / plural)

A : Oui, je l’ai apporté (or « je les ai apporté » for plural)

Or A : Non, je n’ai pas apporté ça = no, I have not brought that

Or A: Non, j’ai oublié ça = no, I have forgotten that

 

Vocabulaire:

The beachball = le ballon de plage

Sun creams = La crème solaire

after-sun = la crème après-soleil

self-tanning cream = la crème autobronzant (bronzer = to tan)

Sensitive skin = la peau sensible

Anti dandruff shampoo = le shampooing anti-pelliculaire

Headache = un mal à tête

Quelque chose pour mal à tête = something for a headache

Gloves = les gants

Coat = un manteau