Text conversation

Texting a babysitter: instructions for the evening, in French

Give a French babysitter clear instructions by text: dinner, bath, bedtime, emergency numbers and when you'll be back. Choose the clearest replies.

In short

Give clear, ordered information: times (le dîner à 19 h, au lit à 20 h 30), rules (pas d'écran après le dîner), and safety (en cas de problème, appelle-moi). The imperative and the near future (on va rentrer vers 23 h) are your tools.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A babysitter shares a picture book with two children at bedtime.
A bedtime story helps with une histoire avant de dormir. Illustration: Atelier
Chloé (baby-sitter)
  1. Bonsoir Chloé ! Le dîner est dans le frigo, il faut juste le réchauffer 5 minutes.Hi Chloé! Dinner's in the fridge, it just needs reheating for 5 minutes.
  2. Super ! À quelle heure ils se couchent ?Great! What time do they go to bed?
  3. Give bedtimes

  4. D'accord. Ils ont droit à la tablette ?OK. Are they allowed the tablet?
  5. Set the rule

  6. Ok, et si besoin ?OK, and if needed?
  7. Emergency info

Phrases from the conversation

Keep these
FrenchEnglish
réchaufferto reheat
se coucherto go to bed
avoir droit àto be allowed
pas d'écranno screens
en cas de besoinif needed
On rentre vers…We'll be back around…

French emergency numbers: 15 (SAMU, medical), 18 (fire brigade), 17 (police) and 112 (Europe-wide). Babysitters in France are often students, and parents usually pay in cash or via CESU vouchers, an official system for home services.

  • Ils couchent à 20 h.Ils se couchent à 20 h.

    Se coucher is pronominal.

  • Rechauffe le dîner.Réchauffe le dîner.

    Accent on réchauffer.

Question 1No account needed
The medical emergency number in France:

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

15. 15 is the SAMU. Check it in the text above.

Question 2No account needed
"They're allowed 30 minutes."

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Ils ont droit à trente minutes.. Avoir droit à + noun. Check it in the text above.