Dialogue

French dialogue with a host: house rules on arrival

Arriving at a French host's home: shoes off or on, the keys, the Wi-Fi, mealtimes and the shower. A full conversation with practice mode for the guest's part.

In short

Hosts usually explain les règles de la maison: whether you take your shoes off, how the keys work, mealtimes, and the shower. Useful questions: J'enlève mes chaussures ?, Le dîner est à quelle heure ?, Je peux prendre une douche ?

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A host welcomes a guest beside a suitcase, keys and a basket of slippers.
On arrival, ask about les règles de la maison. Illustration: Atelier
Your lines are hidden in practice mode. Say them aloud, then reveal to compare.
  1. Hôtesse

    Bienvenue ! Entrez, entrez. Vous avez fait bon voyage ?

    English

    Welcome! Come in, come in. Did you have a good trip?

  2. You

    Oui, très bon, merci. J'enlève mes chaussures ?

    Say the trip was good; ask about shoes.

    English

    Yes, very good, thanks. Shall I take my shoes off?

  3. Hôtesse

    Oui, s'il vous plaît. Il y a des chaussons dans le panier.

    English

    Yes, please. There are slippers in the basket.

  4. You

    Parfait. Où est-ce que je pose ma valise ?

    Ask where to put your suitcase.

    English

    Perfect. Where shall I put my suitcase?

  5. Hôtesse

    Dans votre chambre, au bout du couloir. Voici vos clés : la grande pour la porte d'en bas, la petite pour l'appartement.

    English

    In your room, at the end of the corridor. Here are your keys: the big one for the street door, the small one for the flat.

  6. You

    D'accord. Et le code de l'immeuble ?

    Ask for the building code.

    English

    OK. And the building door code?

  7. Hôtesse

    C'est 4721B. Et le wifi est sur la carte, sur le bureau.

    English

    It's 4721B. And the Wi-Fi is on the card on the desk.

  8. You

    Merci. Le dîner est à quelle heure, en général ?

    Ask what time dinner usually is.

    English

    Thanks. What time is dinner, usually?

  9. Hôtesse

    Vers vingt heures. Si vous rentrez plus tard, envoyez-moi un message.

    English

    Around eight. If you're coming back later, send me a message.

  10. You

    Bien sûr. Je peux prendre une douche ce soir ?

    Agree and ask if you can shower tonight.

    English

    Of course. Can I have a shower tonight?

  11. Hôtesse

    Oui, pas de problème. Juste une chose : on évite les douches après vingt-trois heures, pour les voisins.

    English

    Yes, no problem. Just one thing: we avoid showers after eleven, for the neighbours.

  12. You

    C'est noté. Merci pour votre accueil !

    Say you've noted it and thank her.

    English

    Noted. Thank you for having me!

What house rules might a French host give you?

Things hosts mention
FrenchEnglish
enlever ses chaussurestake your shoes off
le code de l'immeuble / le digicodebuilding door code
fermer à clélock the door
éteindre la lumièreswitch off the light
trier les déchetssort the rubbish
ne pas faire de bruit après 22 hno noise after 10 pm

C'est noté is a natural way to say "noted, I'll remember". Merci pour votre accueil thanks someone for their welcome or hospitality; you'll use it again when you leave. Bringing a small gift (un petit cadeau), such as something from your country, is appreciated.

Question 1No account needed
"Shall I take my shoes off?"

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

J'enlève mes chaussures ?. Enlever is to take off.

Question 2No account needed
Le digicode is…

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

the building door code. The keypad code at the street door.

Question 3No account needed
C'est noté means…

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Noted, I'll remember.. A polite acknowledgement.