Dialogue
French launderette dialogue: the machine has taken my coins
Rehearse an 18-line A2 French launderette conversation about coins taken by a machine that did not start, with picture cards, translation and a short quiz.
- A2
- 18 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
Say J’ai mis les pièces, mais la machine n’a pas démarré. Give the machine number and explain what you did in order. Then ask for help with Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire ?
- Employ?
Bonjour, vous avez besoin d’aide ?
English
Hello, do you need help?
- You
Oui. J’ai mis les pièces, mais la machine n’a pas démarré.
Explain that you inserted the coins but the machine did not start.
English
Yes. I put the coins in, but the machine didn’t start.
- Employ?
C’est quelle machine ?
English
Which machine is it?
- You
La numéro quatre, près de la fenêtre.
Identify machine four near the window.
English
Number four, near the window.
- Employ?
Vous avez mis combien ?
English
How much did you put in?
- You
Six euros : trois pièces de deux euros.
Give the amount: six euros, in three two-euro coins.
English
Six euros: three two-euro coins.
- Employ?
Vous avez bien fermé la porte ?
English
Did you close the door properly?
- You
Oui. D’abord, j’ai fermé la porte. Ensuite, j’ai choisi le programme.
Explain that you first closed the door, then chose the programme.
English
Yes. First, I closed the door. Then I chose the programme.
- Employ?
Et après avoir mis les pièces, vous avez appuyé sur le bouton de départ ?
English
And after putting the coins in, did you press the start button?
- You
Oui, mais rien ne s’est passé. Les pièces ne sont pas revenues.
Confirm that you pressed it, nothing happened and the coins were not returned.
English
Yes, but nothing happened. The coins didn’t come back.
- Employ?
Je vais regarder. Le voyant reste éteint.
English
I’ll take a look. The indicator light is still off.
- You
Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire ? Mon linge est encore dans la machine.
Ask what can be done and explain that your laundry is still inside.
English
What can we do? My laundry is still in the machine.
- Employ?
Je peux ouvrir la porte et lancer la machine cinq pour vous.
English
I can open the door and start machine five for you.
- You
D’accord. Je dois payer une deuxième fois ?
Accept and ask whether you need to pay again.
English
All right. Do I have to pay a second time?
- Employ?
Non, je m’en occupe. Mettez votre linge dans celle-ci.
English
No, I’ll take care of it. Put your laundry in this one.
- You
Merci. Je choisis le même programme, à trente degrés ?
Thank the attendant and check whether to use the same thirty-degree programme.
English
Thank you. Do I choose the same programme, at thirty degrees?
- Employ?
Oui. Voilà, le lavage commence.
English
Yes. There, the wash is starting.
- You
Parfait, merci pour votre aide.
Confirm that it is working and thank the attendant.
English
Great, thank you for your help.
Point to the part you mean
Find:
| Step | French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| First | D’abord, j’ai fermé la porte. | First, I closed the door. |
| Next | Ensuite, j’ai choisi le programme. | Then I chose the programme. |
| Result | Rien ne s’est passé. | Nothing happened. |
| Next action | Je dois payer une deuxième fois ? | Do I need to pay again? |
Appuyer sur takes sur: appuyer sur le bouton. For the result, la machine n’a pas démarré is precise. Elle est en panne means it is out of order; let the attendant check what has happened before you use that diagnosis.
Change the problem
- Use practice mode to report machine seven and four euros in two coins: la numéro sept; deux pièces de deux euros.
- Keep the sequence clear. Finish by checking the programme and whether you need to pay again.