6.7 Assert Yourself! (Part 1) Language Lesson

6.7 Assert Yourself! (Part 1)
Language & Culture Lessons
Reaching the point of unfamiliar territory in your French conversations? Never fear! We've got you covered with a host
of sample French conversations and what to say when a discussion goes awry.
In this Lesson we will look at the kinds of conversations that stretch most of us beyond our comfort zones, even in our
own native language!
Language Lesson
Assert Yourself!
In this Lesson we will look at the kinds of conversations that stretch most of us beyond our comfort zones, even in
our own native language. The following types of scenarios happen all the time:
Each of the following conversations will help you to build up your communication skills in French to assert yourself.
Each conversation is followed by expressions used commonly in each situation. They will allow you to express
yourself more fluently, and will accustom you to recognizing them when other people use them in conversation.
when there’s a delay or things don’t go according to plan
when someone needs help or when you need help
when you need to convince someone or express a preference
Delays!
Votre chambre sera prête dans une demi-heure
Monsieur ! Ça ira comme ça ?
You room will be ready in half an hour Sir. Will that do?
Merci Madame, dès que vous pourrez. Je n'aurai pas à
attendre trop longtemps, quand même ?
Thank you Madam, as soon as you can. I won't have to
wait too long will I?
Non, ne vous inquiétez pas pour ça, je m'en occupe.
No, don't you worry about that, I'll get on to it.
Merci Madame. Vous me mettez un lit en plus pour la
petite ?
Thank you Madame. Can you put in an extra bed for my
little girl?
Avec plaisir, c'est parfait.
With pleasure, consider it done.
« Quelques » Expressions
Ne vous inquiétez pas pour ça.
Don't worry about that.
Tout se passera pour le mieux.
Everything will turn out for the best.
Je suis désolé.
I am really sorry.
Merci beaucoup !
Thanks a lot!
Merci mille fois !
Thank you so much! (a thousand times)
Merci infiniment !
Thank you so very much!
Merci pour tout !
Thanks for everything!
Le plus vite possible.
As soon as possible.
Tout se passera pour le
mieux.
Everything will turn out
for the best.
Merci mille
fois !
Thank you
so much!
A Helping Hand!
Monsieur, il y a une jeune fille qui s'est fait mal là.
Pouvez-vous avertir ses amis ? Il lui faudra des soins.
Sir, there is a young woman who has hurt herself over
there. Can you warn her friends? She will need some
first aid.
Oui, bien sûr, je m'en occupe.
Yes of course, I'll take care of it.
Êtes-vous avec cette jeune fille là bas ?
Are you guys with that young woman over there?
Oui, pourquoi ?
Yes, why?
Elle s'est fait mal, il lui faut de l'aide.
She's hurt herself, she needs first aid.
Ah la la ! La pauvre. Il faut parler au concierge !
Oh no, poor girl. We must speak to the concierge!
Je ne sais pas quoi faire exactement.
I don't know what to do exactly.
Ne vous en faites pas, c'est sous contrôle. Merci, hein !
Don't worry about it, it's under control. By the way,
thanks!
« Quelques » Expressions
Je ne sais pas quoi faire.
I don't know what to do.
Pouvez-vous me conseiller ?
Can you advise me?
Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?
What do you suggest?
À votre place.
In your shoes, if I were you.
Pourquoi pas ?
Why not?
On pourrait essayer de.
We could try to.
Le mieux.
The best thing.
La meilleure solution est.
The best solution is.
J'y penserai.
I will think about it.
Laissez-moi le faire.
Let me do it.
Je m'en occupe.
I'll take care of it.
Je vous en prie.
You're welcome, don't mention it.
Avec plaisir.
My pleasure.
Ne vous en faites pas.
Don't worry about it (formal).
Don't worry about it (casual).
Ne t'en fais pas.
Qu’est-ce que vous
recommandez ?
Je m’en occupe.
Je vous en prie.
What do you suggest?
I’ll take care of
it.
You’re welcome, don’t
mention it.
Culture
French Health System
France has an outstanding health system, one that is the envy of many countries. All French citizens are issued with a
social security card. This entitles them to free medical care in the form of visits to: general practitioners (GP's),
specialists (when referred to by a GP), dentists, gynecologists, and the hospital emergency room.
If you are traveling to France, you should have your own insurance and proper paperwork to prove it. Something as
simple as a broken leg can end up costing thousands without insurance. Don’t forget that all doctors and hospitals
will welcome you and treat you; nobody will let you get any sicker, with or without insurance.
For mild sickness, you can go to the pharmacy to get common medicines like aspirin, cough syrups and so on. If
you're desperate for medication after hours, every city has an emergency pharmacy that is open 24 hours a day; it
should be listed in the phone book or on any other pharmacy’s answering machine, or posted on their door.
Hopefully you'll never need to use your health insurance, or pay a visit to a French hospital! However if you do, at
least you're now prepared!
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