Phrasebook

French phrases at a ticket machine: language, payment, printing

Stuck at a French ticket machine? Ask someone for help: changing the language, a card that's refused, choosing the right ticket and getting the receipt. Real phrases.

In short

Ask a passer-by Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m'aider avec la machine ? Useful phrases: Je n'arrive pas à changer la langue, Ma carte est refusée, C'est quel billet pour aller à… ? and Le billet ne sort pas.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A traveller with a small suitcase asks a passer-by for help beside a simple French station ticket machine with completely blank screen, no key labels and a blank ticket emerging.
The traveller asks vous pouvez m’aider avec la machine ?. Illustration: Atelier
1

Asking for help

YouExcusez-moi, vous pouvez m'aider ? Je n'arrive pas à changer la langue.Excuse me, could you help me? I can't change the language.
Helpful passer-byOui, il y a des drapeaux en bas de l'écran. Touchez le drapeau anglais.Yes, there are flags at the bottom of the screen. Tap the British flag.
YouAh, je ne les avais pas vus ! Merci.Ah, I hadn't seen them! Thanks.
2

Choosing the ticket

YouPour aller à l'aéroport, je prends quel billet ?To get to the airport, which ticket do I take?
Helpful passer-byIl faut un billet spécial aéroport, pas un ticket normal.You need a special airport ticket, not a normal one.
YouEt pour deux personnes, je le prends deux fois ?And for two people, do I buy it twice?
Helpful passer-byNon, vous choisissez la quantité ici : deux.No, you choose the quantity here: two.
3

Payment problems

Many machines need a chip card and PIN.

YouMa carte est refusée. Vous savez pourquoi ?My card is refused. Do you know why?
Helpful passer-byCertaines machines n'acceptent que les cartes à puce. Essayez avec des pièces.Some machines only take chip cards. Try with coins.
YouJe n'ai pas de monnaie…I don't have any change…
Helpful passer-byIl y a un guichet au fond, à droite.There's a ticket office at the back, on the right.
4

Collecting the ticket

YouLe billet ne sort pas !The ticket isn't coming out!
Helpful passer-byAttendez, il imprime. Voilà, et le reçu aussi.Wait, it's printing. There, and the receipt too.
Screen words
FrenchEnglish
ValiderConfirm
AnnulerCancel
RetourBack
Plein tarif / Tarif réduitFull fare / Reduced fare
Aller simple / Aller-retourSingle / Return
Insérez votre carteInsert your card
Composez votre codeEnter your PIN

Je n'arrive pas à + infinitive is the most useful phrase when something doesn't work: Je n'arrive pas à payer, à imprimer, à trouver la bonne gare. It means "I can't manage to", and people will understand straight away that you need help.

Question 1No account needed
"I can't manage to pay."

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je n'arrive pas à payer.. Ne pas arriver à + infinitive.

Question 2No account needed
On the screen, Annuler means…

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Cancel. Annuler is to cancel; valider to confirm.

Question 3No account needed
Composez votre code asks you to…

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

enter your PIN. Composer a number or code: to key it in.