Dialogue
Brancher or connecter? Set up your devices in French
Practise a French device-setup dialogue: plug in a charger, connect to Wi-Fi and log into an account. Learn brancher, connecter and se connecter.
- B1
- 12 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Brancher usually focuses on plugging something in: brancher un chargeur sur une prise. Connecter focuses on linking devices or joining a network. Use se connecter à son compte for logging into an account; both brancher and connecter can describe a cable connection.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out
brancherto plug in
Focus: the physical plug or cable
brancher un appareil sur une prise
Je branche le chargeur sur une prise.
I plug the charger into a socket.
connecterto connect
Focus: the link between a device and another device or network
connecter un appareil à un réseau
Je connecte l’ordinateur au réseau.
I connect the computer to the network.
se connecterto connect; to log in
Focus: the person accessing a network, site or account
se connecter à son compte
Je me connecte à mon compte.
I log into my account.
The equipment on the desk
Find:
Before a video call
You are at Maya’s flat. Your laptop battery is low, and you need the internet for a call. In practice mode, say your lines from the English cues.
- Maya
Tu as tout ce qu’il te faut pour ton appel ?
English
Have you got everything you need for your call?
- You
Presque. Où est-ce que je peux brancher mon chargeur ?
Say you are almost ready, then ask where to plug in your charger.
English
Almost. Where can I plug in my charger?
- Maya
Sur la prise à côté du bureau.
English
Into the socket beside the desk.
- You
Merci. Voilà, le chargeur est branché. Maintenant, je connecte l’ordinateur au Wi-Fi.
Thank Maya, say the charger is plugged in and explain the next step.
English
Thanks. There, the charger is plugged in. Now I’m connecting the computer to the Wi-Fi.
- Maya
Le nom du réseau est sur cette carte.
English
The network name is on this card.
- You
Ça y est, la connexion fonctionne. Je vais me connecter à mon compte.
Say the connection works and that you are going to log into your account.
English
There we go, the connection is working. I’m going to log into my account.
- Maya
Tu utilises ton casque pour l’appel ?
English
Are you using your headphones for the call?
- You
Oui, je le connecte à l’ordinateur par Bluetooth.
Say yes and explain that you are connecting the headphones via Bluetooth.
English
Yes, I’m connecting them to the computer via Bluetooth.
- Maya
Tu m’entends bien ?
English
Can you hear me clearly?
- You
Oui, très bien. Tout est prêt.
Say you can hear clearly and everything is ready.
English
Yes, very clearly. Everything is ready.
- Maya
Parfait. Je te laisse passer ton appel.
English
Great. I’ll leave you to make your call.
- You
Merci pour ton aide !
Thank Maya for her help.
English
Thanks for your help!
How do you report a tech problem in French?
| French | What the listener learns |
|---|---|
| Le chargeur est branché, mais l’ordinateur est éteint. | The power connection is in place; the computer is off. |
| Je n’arrive pas à connecter le casque. | The device link is the problem. |
| Je n’arrive pas à me connecter à mon compte. | Account access is the problem. |
Keep the pronoun when the person connects: je me connecte, tu te connectes, nous nous connectons. For a device, put the device after the verb: je connecte le casque. To end the session, say je me déconnecte.