Organizing a bag | Learn French in English

About This Lesson

Use Organizing a bag to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Mes lunettes sont-elles dans ce sac ?

may loo-NET sohn-TEL dahn suh SAK Are my glasses in this bag?

Elles sont dans la poche latérale.

el sohn dahn lah POSH lah-tay-RAHL They're in the side pocket.

J'ai aussi besoin de mon carnet.

zhay oh-SEE buh-ZWAN duh mohn kar-NAY I need my notebook too.

Il est sous ton parapluie.

eel EH soo tohn pah-rah-PLWEE It's under your umbrella.

Je peux déplacer le parapluie ?

zhuh puh day-plah-SAY luh pah-rah-PLWEE Can I move the umbrella?

Mets-le près de la poignée pour qu'il ne gêne pas.

mel pray duh lah pwan-YAY poor keel nuh ZHEN pah Put it by the handle so it stays out of the way.

Je vais organiser le sac maintenant.

zhuh vay or-gah-nee-ZAY luh SAK man-tuh-NAHN I'll organize the bag now.

Ensuite, ce sera plus facile de trouver les affaires.

ahn-SWEET suh suh-RAH ploo fah-SEEL duh troo-VAY lay zah-FAIR Then it will be easier to find things.

Word by Word

Mes “Mes” means “my” before the plural noun in “Mes lunettes”. It identifies the glasses as belonging to the speaker. A reusable pattern is “mes + plural noun”, as in a new example: “mes livres”.

lunettes “Lunettes” means “glasses” in “Mes lunettes”. It refers here to the item the speaker is looking for in the bag. A reusable pattern is “mes lunettes” when talking about one’s glasses.

sont-elles “Sont-elles” means “are they” in the question “Mes lunettes sont-elles dans ce sac ?”. The pronoun “elles” refers to the glasses, and the inverted form makes a question. A reusable pattern is “Sont-elles dans... ?” when asking where plural feminine things are.

dans “Dans” means “in” and shows the location of the glasses in “dans ce sac”. It is used before the place containing something. A reusable pattern is “dans + place”, as in a new example: “dans la poche”.

ce “Ce” means “this” before the masculine singular noun in “ce sac”. It points to the particular bag being discussed. A reusable pattern is “ce + masculine singular noun”.

sac “Sac” means “bag” in “ce sac”. It names the container where the glasses and other belongings are being organized. A reusable pattern is “dans un sac” for something located in a bag.

Elles “Elles” means “they” here and refers to the glasses in “Elles sont dans la poche latérale.” It is used because “lunettes” is treated as feminine plural. A reusable pattern is “Elles sont dans...” when locating plural feminine things.

sont “Sont” means “are” in “Elles sont dans la poche latérale”. It links the glasses with their location. A reusable pattern is “ils sont” or “elles sont” followed by a place.

la “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun in “la poche”. It identifies a specific pocket. A reusable pattern is “la + feminine singular noun”.

poche “Poche” means “pocket” in “la poche latérale”. It names the part of the bag where the glasses are. A reusable pattern is “dans la poche” when saying that something is in a pocket.

latérale “Latérale” means “side” or “lateral” in “la poche latérale”. It specifies which pocket is meant. It describes “poche” and takes the feminine singular form here. A reusable pattern is “la poche + adjective” to identify a particular pocket.

J'ai “J'ai” means “I have” in “J'ai aussi besoin de mon carnet”. Together with “besoin de”, it expresses that the speaker needs something. A reusable pattern is “J'ai besoin de + object”, as in a new example: “J'ai besoin de mes clés”.

aussi “Aussi” means “also” or “too” in “J'ai aussi besoin de mon carnet”. It adds the notebook to the things the speaker needs. It can be placed before the relevant verb phrase, as here.

besoin “Besoin” means “need” in the expression “avoir besoin de”. In “J'ai aussi besoin de mon carnet”, it says that the speaker needs the notebook. A reusable pattern is “avoir besoin de + object”.

de “De” is required in the expression “avoir besoin de” before the thing that is needed. Here it connects “besoin” with “mon carnet”. A reusable pattern is “J'ai besoin de + noun”.

mon “Mon” means “my” before the masculine singular noun in “mon carnet”. It identifies the notebook as belonging to the speaker. A reusable pattern is “mon + masculine singular noun”.

carnet “Carnet” means “notebook” in “mon carnet”. It is the item the speaker also needs to find. A reusable pattern is “mon carnet” when referring to one’s notebook.

Il “Il” means “it” in “Il est sous ton parapluie” and refers to “mon carnet”. It is used because “carnet” is masculine singular. A reusable pattern is “Il est sous...” when locating a masculine singular object.

est “Est” means “is” in “Il est sous ton parapluie”. It connects the notebook with its position under the umbrella. A reusable pattern is “Il est + place” to say where a masculine singular object is.

sous “Sous” means “under” in “sous ton parapluie”. It shows that the notebook is below the umbrella. A reusable pattern is “sous + object” for describing a position.

ton “Ton” means “your” before the masculine singular noun in “ton parapluie”. It identifies the umbrella as belonging to the person being addressed. A reusable pattern is “ton + masculine singular noun”.

parapluie “Parapluie” means “umbrella” in “ton parapluie”. It is the object under which the notebook is located. A reusable pattern is “sous le parapluie” when describing something under an umbrella.

Je “Je” means “I” in “Je peux déplacer le parapluie ?”. It identifies the speaker as the person asking for permission. A reusable pattern is “Je peux + infinitive” to ask whether one can do something.

peux “Peux” means “can” in “Je peux déplacer le parapluie ?”. It asks whether the speaker is allowed or able to move the umbrella. A reusable pattern is “Je peux + infinitive ?” for a request or question about permission.

déplacer “Déplacer” means “move” in “Je peux déplacer le parapluie ?”. It names the action the speaker is asking about. It follows “peux” in the pattern “Je peux + infinitive”.

Mets-le “Mets-le” means “put it” in “Mets-le près de la poignée”. It tells the listener to place the umbrella near the handle; “le” refers to the umbrella. A reusable pattern is “Mets-le + place” when instructing someone where to put a masculine singular object.

près “Près” means “near” in “près de la poignée”. It describes a position close to the handle. The reusable pattern is “près de + noun”.

poignée “Poignée” means “handle” in “la poignée”. It identifies the part of the bag near which the umbrella should be placed. A reusable pattern is “près de la poignée” for something located near the handle.

pour “Pour” introduces the purpose in “pour qu'il ne gêne pas”: the umbrella is put near the handle so that it will not get in the way. Here it connects the placement instruction with its intended result. A reusable pattern is “pour que + clause” when expressing a desired result.

qu'il “Qu'il” means “that it” in “pour qu'il ne gêne pas”. It introduces the clause about the umbrella and refers back to it. A reusable pattern is “pour qu'il + clause” when explaining the intended result for a masculine singular object.

ne “Ne” is part of the negative expression “ne gêne pas” in “pour qu'il ne gêne pas”. It helps say that the umbrella does not get in the way. In standard written French, it is used together with “pas” around the verb.

gêne “Gêne” means “gets in the way” here in “qu'il ne gêne pas”. It describes the unwanted effect that the umbrella should not have. A reusable pattern is “ne gêne pas” when saying that something does not obstruct or bother someone.

pas “Pas” completes the negative expression “ne gêne pas”. Together, “ne” and “pas” say that the umbrella does not get in the way. A reusable pattern is “ne + verb + pas” for a standard negation.

vais “Vais” means “am going to” in “Je vais organiser le sac maintenant”. It presents organizing the bag as the speaker’s next action. A reusable pattern is “Je vais + infinitive” for an intended or upcoming action.

organiser “Organiser” means “organize” in “Je vais organiser le sac maintenant”. It names the action the speaker plans to do. It follows “vais” in the pattern “Je vais + infinitive”.

le “Le” means “the” before the masculine singular noun in “le sac”. It identifies the particular bag that will be organized. A reusable pattern is “le + masculine singular noun”.

maintenant “Maintenant” means “now” in “Je vais organiser le sac maintenant”. It places the planned action in the present or immediate future. A reusable pattern is to put “maintenant” at the end of a sentence to specify when an action happens.

Ensuite “Ensuite” means “then” or “next” in “Ensuite, ce sera plus facile de trouver les affaires”. It marks the result that follows the organization of the bag. It can introduce the next step in a sequence.

sera “Sera” means “will be” in “ce sera plus facile”. It describes the expected result after the bag is organized. A reusable pattern is “ce sera + adjective” for saying what something will be like.

plus “Plus” means “more” in “plus facile” and helps express “easier”. It shows a greater degree of ease after the bag is organized. A reusable pattern is “plus + adjective” for a comparison or increased degree.

facile “Facile” means “easy” and has the meaning “easier” in “plus facile de trouver les affaires”. It describes finding the belongings as requiring less effort. A reusable pattern is “facile de + infinitive” for saying that an action is easy.

trouver “Trouver” means “find” in “de trouver les affaires”. It names the action that will become easier. A reusable pattern is “facile de + infinitive”, as in “facile de trouver...”.

les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun in “les affaires”. It refers to the belongings as a group. A reusable pattern is “les + plural noun”.

affaires “Affaires” means “things” or “belongings” in “trouver les affaires”. Here it refers to the personal items in the bag, such as the glasses and notebook. A reusable pattern is “mes affaires” or “les affaires” when talking about personal belongings.

Grammar Points

Mets-le + préposition + nom

Mets-le sous le sac.

mel soo luh SAK

Put it under the bag.

À l’impératif, le pronom objet se place après le verbe et s’y attache avec un trait d’union.

nom + adjectif avec accord

la poche latérale

lah POSH lah-tay-RAHL

the side pocket

L’adjectif s’accorde avec le nom en genre et en nombre. « Latérale » est féminin singulier comme « poche ».

French Vocabulary

besoin noun

buh-ZWAN need

carnet noun

kar-NAY notebook

déplacer verb

day-plah-SAY to move

gêner verb

zhay-NAY to bother; to get in the way gêne

latéral adj

lah-tay-RAHL side latérale

lunettes noun

loo-NET glasses

mettre verb

MEHTR to put Mets-le

organiser verb

or-gah-nee-ZAY to organize

parapluie noun

pah-rah-PLWEE umbrella

poche noun

POSH pocket

poignée noun

pwan-YAY handle

sac noun

SAK bag

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

They're in the side pocket.

Show Answer

Elles sont dans la poche latérale.

I need my notebook too.

Show Answer

J'ai aussi besoin de mon carnet.

It's under your umbrella.

Show Answer

Il est sous ton parapluie.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to move

Show Answer

déplacer

notebook

Show Answer

carnet

umbrella

Show Answer

parapluie

need

Show Answer

besoin