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Dialogue

Silencieux or calme? A quiet flat and a calm conversation

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Tour a flat overlooking a peaceful courtyard. Compare silencieux for sound, calme for atmosphere and composure, then practise the conversation.

In short

Silencieux focuses on little or no sound, or on someone saying nothing. Calme describes a peaceful place, low activity or a composed person. A calm evening can include conversation: On passe une soirée calme à discuter.

An open French apartment window overlooks a peaceful courtyard with a small fountain.
The fountain belongs in une cour calme. Illustration: Atelier
What kind of quiet do you mean?
FrenchEnglishFocus
un ventilateur silencieuxa quiet fanThe sound it makes.
une personne silencieusea person who is silentThe person says nothing.
une cour calmea quiet courtyardA peaceful atmosphere.
une personne calmea calm personComposure.
Your lines are hidden in practice mode. Say them aloud, then reveal to compare.
  1. Agent

    Le salon donne sur une cour calme. Vous voulez ouvrir la fenêtre ?

    English

    The living room overlooks a quiet courtyard. Would you like to open the window?

  2. Visitor

    Oui, merci. J’entends une fontaine.

    Accept, then say you can hear a fountain.

    English

    Yes, thank you. I can hear a fountain.

  3. Agent

    Oui. La cour est calme, mais elle n’est pas complètement silencieuse.

    English

    Yes. The courtyard is peaceful, but it isn’t completely silent.

  4. Visitor

    Et le ventilateur ? Il est silencieux ?

    Ask whether the fan makes little noise.

    English

    And the fan? Is it quiet?

  5. Agent

    Écoutez. Il fait très peu de bruit.

    English

    Listen. It makes very little noise.

  6. Visitor

    C’est agréable. J’aimerais passer des soirées calmes ici.

    Say it is pleasant and you would like quiet evenings here.

    English

    It’s pleasant. I’d like to spend quiet evenings here.

  7. Agent

    Vous hésitez ? Vous restez silencieuse.

    English

    Are you hesitating? You’ve gone quiet.

  8. Visitor

    Je réfléchis au loyer. Je suis calme, mais j’ai besoin d’un moment.

    Explain your silence: you are thinking about the rent and need a moment.

    English

    I’m thinking about the rent. I’m calm, but I need a moment.

Look around the courtyard

A peaceful small apartment courtyard in daylight, viewed through an open living-room window. A stone fountain trickles in the centre. A wooden bench stands unde
Agreement: keep an eye on the feminine form
Masculine singularFeminine singularMasculine pluralFeminine plural
silent / quietsilencieuxsilencieusesilencieuxsilencieuses
calmcalmecalmecalmescalmes
Question 1No account needed
What does the adjective tell you?Elle reste silencieuse.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

She stays silent.. Silencieuse describes her silence. The sentence gives no reason for it.

Question 2No account needed
Can this evening include quiet conversation?Nous passons une soirée calme.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Yes, the evening can be peaceful while people talk.. Calme can describe a peaceful atmosphere with conversation.

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