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French second-hand adverts quiz: disponible, réservé, à débattre

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ten questions on French classified-ad wording: à débattre, à récupérer sur place, réservé, très bon état, envoi possible. Read Leboncoin-style ads with confidence.

In short

In French second-hand ads, prix à débattre means the price is negotiable, à récupérer sur place means collection only, réservé means someone has already claimed it, and très bon état means very good condition.

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A buyer examining a simple used bicycle with its owner in a French courtyard, no tags labels or signs.
Ask whether votre vélo est toujours disponible. Illustration: Atelier
  1. Question 1No account needed
    Prix à débattre

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The price is negotiable.. Débattre is to discuss: you can make an offer.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    À récupérer sur place

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Collection only.. You must collect it from the seller.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    Réservé on a listing

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Someone has claimed it.. Another buyer has a hold on it.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    Comme neuf

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    As good as new.. Comme neuf: used but looks new.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    Très bon état

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Very good condition.. État is condition: bon état, mauvais état.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    Pour pièces

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    For spare parts (doesn't work).. Sold as non-working, for parts.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    Envoi possible

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Can be posted.. Un envoi is a shipment.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    Pas d'échange

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    No swaps.. Seller won't trade for another item.

  9. Question 9No account needed
    Facture disponible

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The original receipt is available.. The original receipt, useful for the warranty.

  10. Question 10No account needed
    Premier arrivé, premier servi

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    First come, first served.. No reservations: the first to come gets it.

How do you write to a seller in French?

Polite messages
FrenchEnglish
Bonjour, l'article est toujours disponible ?Hello, is the item still available?
Je peux venir le chercher ce soir ?Can I come and pick it up tonight?
Vous accepteriez 40 € ?Would you accept €40?
Il y a des défauts ?Are there any defects?

French second-hand sites are very popular, and sellers expect short, polite messages starting with Bonjour. Making an offer far below the price is seen as rude: around ten to twenty per cent less is normal when the ad says à débattre.

Ads also use abbreviations: TBE (très bon état), BE (bon état), px (prix), dispo (disponible) and RDV (rendez-vous). When you arrange a pick-up, sellers often ask you to confirm the day before: Je vous confirme demain ?

Bonjour, votre vélo est-il toujours disponible ? Je peux passer samedi matin. Cordialement, Sam

Hello, is your bike still available? I can come by on Saturday morning. Best regards, Sam

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