Dialogue
Librairie or bibliothèque? Buy, borrow and return a book in French
A bookshop sells books; a library lends them. Practise a French conversation, learn libraire and bibliothécaire, and recognise a bookcase at home.
- A1
- 12 lines
- Practice mode
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In short
Une librairie is a bookshop: you buy books there. Une bibliothèque is a library: you read, consult or borrow books there. At home, une bibliothèque can also be a bookcase.
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Four clues to the meaning
Find:
What is the difference between librairie and bibliothèque?
First, ask for a book to buy. Then go to the library to borrow another one. In practice mode, use the English cues to say the customer’s lines. Notice the change from acheter to emprunter and finally rendre.
- Libraire
Bonjour ! Vous cherchez un livre ?
English
Hello! Are you looking for a book?
- You
Oui, j’aime lire des romans. Je cherche un livre assez court.
Say you like reading novels and want a fairly short book.
English
Yes, I like reading novels. I’m looking for a fairly short book.
- Libraire
Ce roman est court et l’histoire est très belle.
English
This novel is short and the story is very beautiful.
- You
Il coûte combien ?
Ask the price.
English
How much does it cost?
- Libraire
Neuf euros.
English
Nine euros.
- You
Je le prends, merci.
Say you will take it and thank the bookseller.
English
I’ll take it, thank you.
- Bibliothécaire
Bonjour, je peux vous aider ?
English
Hello, can I help you?
- You
Bonjour. Je voudrais emprunter ce livre.
Ask to borrow this book.
English
Hello. I’d like to borrow this book.
- Bibliothécaire
Vous avez une carte de bibliothèque ?
English
Do you have a library card?
- You
Oui, la voici. Je dois rendre le livre quand ?
Present your card and ask when to return the book.
English
Yes, here it is. When must I return the book?
- Bibliothécaire
Vendredi prochain.
English
Next Friday.
- You
D’accord, merci beaucoup.
Agree and thank the librarian.
English
All right, thank you very much.
| Place | Person | Action |
|---|---|---|
| une librairie | un libraire / une libraire | acheter un livre |
| une bibliothèque | un bibliothécaire / une bibliothécaire | emprunter un livre |
| la bibliothèque du salon | — | ranger ses livres |
Both place nouns are feminine: une petite librairie, une grande bibliothèque. The job words take the article for the person: la libraire sells books; le bibliothécaire works in a library. Keep the accent in bibliothèque and the longer ending in bibliothécaire.