Speaking confidence / A1 to B1
When you don’t understand, keep the conversation open.
You caught the beginning. The rest disappeared. You do not have to restart the conversation; ask for the piece you missed.
Vous pouvez répéter la dernière partie ?
Could you repeat the last part?THE SHORT ANSWER
Repeat, slow down, explain a word or confirm a detail: choose the request that matches the problem. You do not need to apologise for the whole conversation.
Choose the help you actually need
| What happened | What to say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Too fast | Un peu plus lentement, s’il vous plaît. | A little more slowly, please. |
| Missed the end | Vous pouvez répéter la dernière partie ? | Could you repeat the last part? |
| An unfamiliar word | Ça veut dire quoi, « créneau » ? | What does “créneau” mean? |
| Unclear instructions | Vous pouvez me l’expliquer autrement ? | Could you explain it another way? |
Checking a collection time
Vous pouvez le récupérer à partir de seize heures.
You can collect it from four o’clock.Pardon, à partir de quelle heure ?
Sorry, from what time?Seize heures. Quatre heures de l’après-midi.
Sixteen hundred. Four in the afternoon.D’accord, donc je peux passer après quatre heures ?
Okay, so I can come by after four?You understood the action but missed the time. Ask about the time to keep the useful part of the conversation intact.
Tu or vous?
With a stranger or at a service counter, vous is a useful starting point: Vous pouvez répéter ? With someone you already address as tu: Tu peux répéter ? Add s’il vous plaît or s’il te plaît when you want “please”.
Oui, oui…
Si j’ai bien compris, je dois revenir demain ?
If you are unsure, “Yes, yes” may hide the misunderstanding. Try: “If I’ve understood correctly, I need to come back tomorrow?”
You understand that the shop is closed, but missed which day. Ask for that detail.
Try your own answer before opening the example.
See one way to say it
Pardon, vous êtes fermé quel jour ?
“Sorry, which day are you closed?” You can also say Quel jour, s’il vous plaît ? A short question is enough when the context is clear.
Pick two phrases, not twenty
Choose one repetition phrase and one checking phrase. Use them in your next practice conversation. When the consequences matter, prioritise a reliable translation or another way to confirm the information.
Your pocket phrase.
Vous pouvez répéter la dernière partie ?
Could you repeat the last part?
A LITTLE HELP, PERSONALLY.
Now make it sound like you.
Bring your situation to a free conversation with Ceyda. Find a starting point for the French you actually need.
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