Dialogue
Requesting annual leave in French: agree cover during a busy period
Ask for leave in French while a deadline is approaching. Practise explaining your dates, arranging cover and checking whether the request is approved.
- B1
- 16 lines
- Practice mode
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In short
Give the dates with Je souhaiterais poser trois jours de congé, acknowledge the deadline and offer a handover plan. Finish with Est-ce que ma demande est validée ? so you know whether the dates are approved or still under discussion.
How do you ask for time off in French?
- Responsable
Vous souhaitiez me parler de vos congés ?
English
You wanted to talk to me about your leave?
- Salariée
Oui. Je souhaiterais poser les 12, 13 et 14 juin pour un événement familial.
Request three days, 12 to 14 June, for a family event.
English
Yes. I’d like to take 12, 13 and 14 June off for a family event.
- Responsable
Nous préparons la clôture mensuelle cette semaine-là. Votre présence le 12 serait utile.
English
We’re preparing the monthly closing that week. It would be useful to have you here on the 12th.
- Salariée
Je comprends. Je peux avancer les vérifications et terminer mon tableau avant le 11 au soir.
Acknowledge the deadline and offer to finish the checks and spreadsheet by the 11th.
English
I understand. I can bring the checks forward and finish my spreadsheet by the evening of the 11th.
- Responsable
Il restera quand même les demandes urgentes des clients. Qui pourrait les suivre ?
English
There will still be urgent client requests. Who could handle them?
- Salariée
J’en ai parlé à Julie. Elle peut prendre le relais les 13 et 14, si vous êtes d’accord.
Say Julie can cover the 13th and 14th, subject to the manager’s agreement.
English
I’ve discussed it with Julie. She can take over on the 13th and 14th, if you agree.
- Responsable
Et pour le 12 ? Julie sera en formation.
English
And what about the 12th? Julie will be in training.
- Salariée
Dans ce cas, je pourrais travailler le 12 et prendre seulement les 13 et 14.
Propose working on the 12th and taking only two days.
English
In that case, I could work on the 12th and take only the 13th and 14th off.
- Responsable
Cela me semble plus simple. Pouvez-vous préparer une transmission pour Julie ?
English
That seems simpler. Can you prepare a handover for Julie?
- Salariée
Oui. Je lui laisserai la liste des dossiers, les échéances et les contacts utiles.
Describe what you will leave Julie: files, deadlines and contacts.
English
Yes. I’ll leave her the list of files, deadlines and useful contacts.
- Responsable
Prévoyez aussi un point avec elle avant votre départ.
English
Also arrange a check-in with her before you go.
- Salariée
Nous pouvons faire le point le 12 à 15 heures. Je mettrai les documents dans le dossier partagé.
Propose a 3 pm handover on the 12th and a shared folder for documents.
English
We can go through things on the 12th at 3 pm. I’ll put the documents in the shared folder.
- Responsable
Très bien. Avec cette organisation, je valide les 13 et 14 juin.
English
Very good. With that arrangement, I approve 13 and 14 June.
- Salariée
Merci. Je modifie donc ma demande : deux jours, les 13 et 14 juin.
Confirm that you will change the request to the two approved days.
English
Thank you. I’ll amend my request to two days, 13 and 14 June.
- Responsable
Oui. Pensez également à prévenir les collègues qui travaillent sur ces dossiers.
English
Yes. Also remember to tell the colleagues working on those files.
- Salariée
Je les préviens aujourd’hui, puis j’envoie le récapitulatif à Julie.
Say you will tell colleagues today and send Julie the summary.
English
I’ll tell them today, then send Julie the summary.
| French | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| poser des jours de congé | request days off | The employee makes a request. |
| prendre le relais | take over | Julie covers urgent requests. |
| faire le point | have a check-in | They review the work before the absence. |
| je valide les 13 et 14 juin | I approve 13 and 14 June | The manager explicitly confirms two days. |
Notice the movement from je souhaiterais (the initial request) to je pourrais travailler le 12 (an alternative). The final read-back names only the approved days. It makes the change from three days to two explicit.