Dialogue
A2 French counteroffers: respond when the plan changes
Practise a photography-workshop dialogue: keep a €15 budget and a home-before-one limit while the partner offers different times and prices.
- A2
- 10 lines
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In short
When a partner changes an offer, check the new option against every limit you started with. Acknowledge what works, name what still causes a problem and ask a focused question. A cheaper offer can still finish too late.
| Keep this limit | What it means |
|---|---|
| Budget: €15 maximum | €15 fits; €18 is too much. |
| Be home before 13:00 | A workshop ending at 13:00 finishes too late. |
| A ten-minute walk home from the centre | Add ten minutes to the finishing time. |
- Accueil
Bonjour ! L’atelier photo de samedi coûte dix-huit euros. Il finit à midi.
English
Hello! Saturday’s photography workshop costs eighteen euros. It finishes at noon.
- You
Mon budget est de quinze euros. Vous avez un autre atelier ?
Explain that your budget is fifteen euros; ask for another option.
English
My budget is fifteen euros. Do you have another workshop?
- Accueil
Oui, il y en a un à douze euros, mais il finit à treize heures.
English
Yes, there’s one for twelve euros, but it finishes at one pm.
- You
Le prix me convient, mais je dois être à la maison avant treize heures. Cet atelier finit trop tard pour moi.
Acknowledge the price, then explain that you must be home before one.
English
The price suits me, but I must be home before one. This workshop finishes too late for me.
- Accueil
Il y a aussi un atelier à quatorze euros. Il finit à onze heures, ici au centre.
English
There’s also a workshop for fourteen euros. It finishes at eleven, here at the centre.
- You
Ça me convient. Il reste une place ?
Say this option suits you; ask whether a place remains.
English
That suits me. Is there a place left?
- Accueil
Oui, il reste une place. Vous voulez réserver ?
English
Yes, there’s one place left. Would you like to book?
- You
Oui, je voudrais réserver l’atelier de samedi qui finit à onze heures, s’il vous plaît.
Ask to book the Saturday workshop that finishes at eleven.
English
Yes, I’d like to book the Saturday workshop that finishes at eleven, please.
- Accueil
C’est noté. Votre place est réservée. Vous paierez quatorze euros sur place.
English
That’s noted. Your place is booked. You’ll pay fourteen euros when you get here.
- You
Merci ! L’atelier finit donc à onze heures.
Thank the receptionist and confirm the finishing time.
English
Thank you! So the workshop finishes at eleven.
How do you respond to a counteroffer in French?
| Offer | Budget | Home in time? | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| €18; ends 12:00 | Over €15 | 12:10 is before 13:00 | Ask for a cheaper option. |
| €12; ends 13:00 | Fits | 13:10 is too late | Explain the time limit. |
| €14; ends 11:00 | Fits | 11:10 is before 13:00 | Check availability, then request a booking. |
At the photography workshop
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