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A problem with your hotel room: French phrases for reception

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Report cold water, a broken heater or a window that will not close. Ask for help at reception and follow the difference between a check and a room offer.

In short

Give your room number and one clear fault: Je suis dans la chambre 214. Il n’y a pas d’eau chaude. Ask Pourriez-vous envoyer quelqu’un ? If you need another room, ask for it explicitly: Auriez-vous une autre chambre disponible ?

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

1

Say what you found

YouBonsoir, je suis dans la chambre 214. Il n’y a pas d’eau chaude.Good evening, I am in room 214. There is no hot water.
ReceptionistVous avez remarqué le problème à quelle heure ?What time did you notice the problem?
YouJe viens de rentrer. J’ai essayé de prendre une douche il y a cinq minutes.I have just got back. I tried to have a shower five minutes ago.
YouPourriez-vous envoyer quelqu’un ?Could you send someone?
2

Ask about the next step

ReceptionistJe vais appeler le technicien.I will call the technician.
YouIl pourra venir ce soir ?Will he be able to come this evening?
ReceptionistJe dois vérifier. Je vous rappelle dans dix minutes.I need to check. I will call you back in ten minutes.
YouD’accord. Je reste dans ma chambre pour le moment.All right. I will stay in my room for now.
3

Discuss a room move

ReceptionistLe technicien ne pourra venir que demain matin.The technician will only be able to come tomorrow morning.
YouDans ce cas, auriez-vous une autre chambre disponible pour ce soir ?In that case, would you have another room available for tonight?
ReceptionistOui, je peux vous proposer la chambre 216.Yes, I can offer you room 216.
YouMerci, cela me convient. Où puis-je récupérer la clé ?Thank you, that suits me. Where can I collect the key?
ReceptionistÀ la réception. Je vous y attends.At reception. I will wait for you there.

Name the thing that needs attention

Small faults, precise sentences
What you noticeWhat to say
No hot waterIl n’y a pas d’eau chaude.
Heater stays coldLe radiateur ne chauffe pas.
Lamp stays offLa lampe ne s’allume pas.
Window will not closeLa fenêtre ne ferme pas.

Je viens de rentrer means “I have just got back”: venir de + infinitive marks something recent. To say when you discovered the fault, use il y a cinq minutes. Reception’s je vais appeler announces a call. Later, je peux vous proposer la chambre 216 gives you a concrete option to accept.

Question 1No account needed
At first, what will reception do?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Call the technician. The first response is Je vais appeler le technicien. The room offer comes in the later scene.

Question 2No account needed
Choose the sentence for a heater that stays cold.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Le radiateur ne chauffe pas.. Chauffer describes producing heat, so it fits a radiator that stays cold.

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