Dialogue
Missed your train connection? Ask for help in French
Explain a missed connection in French and check the next train, arrival time, ticket and platform. Practise a station dialogue and explore station vocabulary.
- A2
- 12 lines
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In short
Start with J’ai manqué ma correspondance pour Lyon. Then ask Quel est le prochain train ? Check the arrival time, whether your ticket can be used and where to board.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
You are travelling to Lyon for a training session at 3 pm. Your first train arrived late. At the information desk, explain the problem and ask about the next stage of your journey. Practise your lines from the English cues, then reveal the French.
- Agent
Bonjour, je vous écoute.
English
Hello, how can I help?
- You
Bonjour, mon premier train est arrivé en retard et j’ai manqué ma correspondance pour Lyon.
Explain the delay and your missed connection to Lyon.
English
Hello, my first train arrived late and I missed my connection to Lyon.
- Agent
Vous devez arriver à quelle heure ?
English
What time do you need to arrive?
- You
J’ai une formation à quinze heures. Quel est le prochain train ?
Give the time of your training session and ask about the next train.
English
I have a training session at three. When is the next train?
- Agent
Il y a un départ à onze heures vingt, avec un changement. L’arrivée prévue à Lyon est à quatorze heures dix.
English
There is a departure at eleven twenty, with one change. Expected arrival in Lyon is two ten.
- You
Combien de temps faut-il ensuite pour rejoindre le centre de formation ?
Ask about the journey from the station to the training centre.
English
How long does it take after that to reach the training centre?
- Agent
Cela dépend de l’adresse. Vous pouvez me la montrer ?
English
That depends on the address. Can you show it to me?
- You
Oui, la voici. Et est-ce que je peux prendre ce train avec mon billet ?
Show the address and ask whether your ticket can be used.
English
Yes, here it is. And can I take this train with my ticket?
- Agent
Je vais vérifier votre billet.
English
I’ll check your ticket.
- You
Merci. De quelle voie part ce train ?
Ask which platform the train leaves from.
English
Thank you. Which platform does this train leave from?
- Agent
La voie n’est pas encore affichée. Regardez le tableau des départs.
English
The platform isn’t displayed yet. Check the departure board.
- You
D’accord. Merci de votre aide.
Thank the agent.
English
All right. Thank you for your help.
Find your way around the station
Find:
What do you do if you miss your train connection in France?
| Detail | French in the dialogue | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | un départ à onze heures vingt | When the alternative leaves |
| Route | avec un changement | One further connection |
| Arrival | l’arrivée prévue… à quatorze heures dix | Expected arrival at the station |
| Ticket | Je vais vérifier votre billet. | The agent will check the ticket |
Une correspondance is a connection; un changement is a change of train. Le quai is the platform where you wait. In an announcement or platform question, la voie identifies the track used by the train. Keep listening for prévue: it marks an expected arrival time.