Phrasebook
French phrases at a petrol station: pumps, fuel and payment
Fill up in France: gazole or sans plomb, pompe numéro 4, payer à la pompe or à la caisse, plus what to say when the pump won't start. Real phrases with practice.
- A2
- 11 phrases
- 4 situations
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In short
In France, diesel is le gazole (also gasoil or diesel) and petrol is le sans plomb (SP95, SP98, E10). You pay à la pompe by card (often 24/7) or à la caisse: say la pompe numéro quatre, s'il vous plaît.
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1
Paying at the till
YouBonjour, la pompe numéro quatre, s'il vous plaît.Hello, pump number four, please.
CashierSoixante-deux euros quarante. Vous payez par carte ?Sixty-two forty. Are you paying by card?
YouOui, et je voudrais aussi un lave-glace.Yes, and I'd also like some screenwash.
2
Pump won't start
Automatic pumps sometimes refuse foreign cards.
YouExcusez-moi, la pompe ne démarre pas. J'ai mis ma carte, mais rien ne se passe.Excuse me, the pump won't start. I put my card in, but nothing happens.
CashierC'est une carte étrangère ? Venez payer à la caisse, je débloque la pompe.Is it a foreign card? Come and pay at the till, I'll unlock the pump.
YouD'accord, je fais le plein et je reviens.OK, I'll fill up and come back.
3
Choosing fuel
YouC'est du gazole, la pompe jaune ?Is the yellow pump diesel?
CashierOui, gazole en jaune, sans plomb en vert.Yes, diesel in yellow, unleaded in green.
YouMerci, j'allais me tromper !Thanks, I was about to make a mistake!
4
Other services
YouIl y a un gonfleur pour les pneus ?Is there an air pump for the tyres?
CashierOui, à côté de la station de lavage.Yes, next to the car wash.
What do you say at a French petrol station?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| faire le plein | fill up |
| le gazole / le diesel | diesel |
| le sans plomb 95 / 98 | unleaded |
| la pompe | pump |
| le gonfleur | air pump |
| la station de lavage | car wash |
| l'huile (f.) | oil |
On motorways, stations are open all day; in villages, many close at night and on Sundays, leaving only the automatic pumps (automate 24/24). Supermarket stations are usually the cheapest. The pump handle colours aren't universal, so always read the label.