Dialogue
Emballage or paquet: French packaging words in a gift-packing dialogue
Distinguish a packet from its packaging, then prepare a gift in French. Learn emballage, paquet and colis with picture cards and a dialogue you can practise.
- A2
- 13 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
Un emballage is the packaging or wrapping around something. Un paquet is the packet, bundle or wrapped item as a whole: un paquet de biscuits, for example. For a parcel you send or receive, un colis is also a useful word.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
le paquetthe packet or package
Focus: the unit you open, carry or count
un paquet de + contents
J’ai acheté deux paquets de biscuits.
I bought two packets of biscuits.
l’emballagethe packaging
Focus: the material that wraps or protects the contents
un emballage en + material
L’emballage est en carton.
The packaging is made of cardboard.
Packets, wrapping and a parcel
Find:
What is the difference between emballage and paquet?
You and Léa are preparing a book to send to Nora. Practise your part: ask what goes in the package, offer to reuse wrapping paper and check what Léa wants you to do.
- Léa
Tu peux m’aider à préparer ce paquet ?
English
Can you help me prepare this package?
- You
Oui. Qu’est-ce qu’on met dedans ?
Agree and ask what goes inside.
English
Yes. What are we putting inside?
- Léa
Le livre pour Nora. Pose-le dans la boîte, s’il te plaît.
English
The book for Nora. Put it in the box, please.
- You
Avec son emballage en plastique ?
Ask whether to leave the plastic packaging on.
English
With its plastic packaging?
- Léa
Non, tu peux le retirer. Je préfère emballer le livre dans ce papier bleu.
English
No, you can remove it. I’d rather wrap the book in this blue paper.
- You
On peut réutiliser le papier du dernier cadeau.
Suggest reusing the paper from the last gift.
English
We can reuse the paper from the last gift.
- Léa
Bonne idée ! Il est encore en bon état.
English
Good idea! It’s still in good condition.
- You
Tu veux du ruban adhésif ?
Offer some sticky tape.
English
Do you want some sticky tape?
- Léa
Oui, merci. Et pour le goûter, j’ai acheté un paquet de biscuits.
English
Yes, thanks. And I bought a packet of biscuits for our afternoon snack.
- You
Je l’ouvre maintenant ?
Ask whether to open the biscuit packet now.
English
Shall I open it now?
- Léa
Oui ! Le paquet cadeau est prêt.
English
Yes! The wrapped gift is ready.
- You
Et on envoie le colis demain ?
Ask whether you are sending the parcel tomorrow.
English
And are we sending the parcel tomorrow?
- Léa
Oui. Je vais écrire l’adresse sur la boîte.
English
Yes. I’m going to write the address on the box.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| emballer un cadeau | to wrap a gift |
| déballer un cadeau | to unwrap a gift |
| ouvrir un paquet de biscuits | to open a packet of biscuits |
| retirer l’emballage | to remove the packaging |
| envoyer un colis | to send a parcel |
Le paquet est lourd, mais son emballage est léger.
The package is heavy, but its packaging is light.
Both nouns describe the same wrapped item from different angles. L’emballage d’un cadeau can also name the act of wrapping it: L’emballage prend cinq minutes.