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Explain a French booking problem for a companion

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Use four French scenes to explain a companion’s booking problem, relay an option with its conditions and confirm the traveller’s own decision.

In short

Begin with Souhaites-tu que j’explique le problème ? and agree on the scope. Tell the provider Elle souhaite savoir… when the traveller is asking for options. Return the price, deadline and conditions to the traveller before relaying an acceptance. A question about an extra night is not already a booking change.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A wooden hotel reception desk with hanging lights and a flower arrangement.
Reception at Hôtel Opéra Cadet in Paris, photographed in 2015. Photo by Opera Cadet, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/); resized and converted to WebP. Opera Cadet · CC BY-SA 2.0

The scenes follow a companion whose confirmation has a different departure date from the one she requested. The first and last scenes address her directly; the middle two address reception. The practical goal is to preserve her request and keep the decision with the person whose stay will change.

1

Ask permission to speak

Check what your companion wants you to handle.

YouSouhaites-tu que j’explique le problème à l’accueil ?Would you like me to explain the problem to reception?
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Oui, seulement la différence entre les deux dates.Yes, only the difference between the two dates.
YouTu veux garder la même chambre si c’est possible ?Do you want to keep the same room if possible?
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Oui, mais je n’ai pas encore décidé pour une nuit supplémentaire.Yes, but I haven’t decided about an extra night.
YouD’accord, je ne confirmerai pas cette nuit à ta place.All right, I won’t confirm that night on your behalf.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Merci. Demande-moi avant toute modification.Thank you. Ask me before any change.
2

State the companion’s request

Attribute the request and its current scope.

YouJe parle avec l’accord de ma compagne de voyage.I’m speaking with my travelling companion’s agreement.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Quel est le problème ?What is the problem?
YouSa confirmation indique un départ le samedi, mais elle avait demandé le dimanche.Her confirmation shows departure on Saturday, but she had requested Sunday.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Souhaite-t-elle ajouter une nuit ?Does she want to add a night?
YouElle souhaite d’abord savoir quelles options sont possibles et à quel prix.She first wants to know which options are possible and at what price.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Je vais vérifier la disponibilité pour samedi soir.I’ll check availability for Saturday night.
3

Check the provider’s answer

Give the conditions without accepting them.

Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3La même chambre est disponible pour une nuit de plus, au tarif de soixante-cinq euros.The same room is available for one more night at a rate of sixty-five euros.
YouCe montant concerne bien seulement la nuit supplémentaire ?Does this amount concern only the extra night?
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Oui. Les dates de la première confirmation restent inchangées tant qu’elle ne répond pas.Yes. The first confirmation’s dates stay unchanged until she replies.
YouJe vais lui transmettre cette proposition avant de modifier la réservation.I’ll pass this proposal to her before changing the booking.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Merci de nous donner sa réponse avant dix-huit heures.Please give us her answer before six.
YouJe lui précise aussi cette échéance.I’ll also tell her that deadline.
4

Confirm the affected person’s choice

Check what she actually accepts.

YouVoici l’option : la même chambre pour une nuit de plus, pour soixante-cinq euros, avec une réponse avant dix-huit heures.Here is the option: the same room for one extra night, for sixty-five euros, with a reply before six.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Oui, je souhaite accepter cette nuit supplémentaire.Yes, I want to accept that extra night.
YouTu confirmes aussi ce montant de soixante-cinq euros ?Do you also confirm that amount of sixty-five euros?
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3Oui. Tu peux transmettre mon accord.Yes. You can pass on my agreement.
YouJe vais le faire, puis nous demanderons la confirmation des nouvelles dates.I’ll do that, then we’ll ask for confirmation of the new dates.
Your companion in scenes 1 and 4; reception in scenes 2 and 3D’accord, merci de m’avoir demandé avant de répondre.All right, thank you for asking me before replying.

Permission to explain is not permission for every change

The companion authorises an explanation of the date mismatch. She has not yet accepted an extra charge. The mediator therefore asks for options and brings the answer back. This distinction remains useful even if everyone is trying to help and the available alternative looks convenient.

Relay the whole alternative

The provider’s answer includes the same room, one extra night, a sixty-five-euro rate and a response deadline. Repeat all four conditions when returning to the traveller. The extra night becomes an accepted choice only after she confirms it.

After the companion explicitly accepts the night and amount, the mediator can pass on that agreement and ask for the updated confirmation. The last document matters because a verbal acceptance and the provider’s recorded dates are separate parts of the arrangement.

For a real exchange, repeat the person’s chosen option in a short sentence before transmitting it. If they change their mind or a new condition appears, return to them rather than treating the earlier permission to speak as a permanent authorisation to decide.

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