Borrowing shared tools | Learn French in English

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing shared tools to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Est-ce que je peux utiliser les ciseaux ?

ess-kuh zhuh puh oo-tee-lee-ZAY lay see-ZOH? Can I use the scissors?

Prends-les et garde les lames vers le bas.

prahn-LAY ay GARD lay LAHM vair luh BAH. Take these and keep the blades pointed down.

J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.

zhay oh-SEE buh-ZWAN duh roo-BAHN ahd-ay-ZEEF. I also need some tape.

Le ruban adhésif est dans le tiroir.

luh roo-BAHN ahd-ay-ZEEF ay dahn luh tee-RWAHR. The tape is in the drawer.

Tu as aussi une règle ?

tew ah oh-SEE uhn REHGL? Do you have a ruler too?

Oui, elle est sur mon bureau.

wee, ell ay sewr mohn bew-ROH. Yes, it is on my desk.

Tu peux la prendre de là.

tew puh lah PRAHN-druh duh LAH. You can take it from there.

Je rendrai tout quand j'aurai fini.

zhuh rahn-DRAY too kahn zhoh-RAY fee-NEE. I will return everything when I finish.

Laisse la règle dessus pour que je puisse la trouver plus tard.

less lah REHGL duh-SEW poor kuh zhuh PWEESS lah troo-VAY plew TAR. Leave the ruler on top so I can find it later.

Word by Word

Est-ce que “Est-ce que” is a fixed question marker in “Est-ce que je peux utiliser les ciseaux ?” and introduces a yes-or-no question. “Est-ce” begins the question frame, and “que” completes it before the clause. Use “Est-ce que” before a statement-like word order when asking a question.

je “Je” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Est-ce que je peux utiliser les ciseaux ?” and “Je rendrai tout quand j'aurai fini.” It is used before the verb when the speaker describes an action, ability, or intention.

peux “Peux” means “can” in “je peux utiliser les ciseaux,” expressing ability or permission to use them. It is followed here by the infinitive “utiliser.” Use “je peux + infinitive” to say that you can or may do something.

utiliser “Utiliser” means “use” in “utiliser les ciseaux.” It is the action that the speaker asks permission to do. Use “utiliser + object” when saying that you use a tool or other object.

les In “les ciseaux,” “les” means “the” and marks the noun as definite and plural. Together, “les ciseaux” refers to the scissors being discussed. Use “les + plural noun” for a specific plural object or group.

ciseaux “Ciseaux” means “scissors” in “les ciseaux.” Here it is the object of “utiliser” and the tool that the speaker wants to use. Use it with a determiner such as “les” when referring to specific scissors.

Prends “Prends” gives the instruction “take” in “Prends-les.” It tells the other person to take the scissors or another understood object. Use “Prends + object” when directly telling one person to take something.

et “Et” means “and” and joins the two instructions in “Prends-les et garde les lames vers le bas.” It connects actions that are part of the same instruction. Use “et” to link two actions or pieces of information.

garde “Garde” gives the instruction “keep” in “garde les lames vers le bas.” It asks the listener to maintain the blades in the indicated position. Use “garde + object” when telling someone to keep something or keep it in a certain state.

lames “Lames” means “blades” in “les lames.” Here it refers to the blades of the scissors, whose direction the listener must control. Use “les lames” when referring to specific blades.

vers “Vers” means “toward” in “vers le bas” and indicates the direction of the blades. It is followed here by the direction “le bas.” Use “vers + direction or place” to show where something is pointing or moving.

le In “le bas,” “le” is the definite article introducing the direction “down.” The expression “vers le bas” means that something points downward. Use “le” before a specific masculine singular noun or expression when it is definite.

bas “Bas” means “down” in “vers le bas,” describing the direction in which the blades should point. The phrase is used as a position or direction instruction. Use “vers le bas” when telling someone that something should point or move downward.

J'ai “J'ai” means “I have” in “J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.” With “besoin de,” it forms the expression used to say “I need” something. Use “J'ai besoin de + noun” when stating that you need an object or material.

aussi “Aussi” means “also” or “too” in “J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.” It adds tape as another thing the speaker needs. Use “aussi” to add another person, object, or action to information already mentioned.

besoin “Besoin” means “need” as part of “avoir besoin de.” In “J'ai besoin de ruban adhésif,” it expresses that the speaker requires tape. Use “avoir besoin de + noun” to say that someone needs something.

de In “besoin de ruban adhésif,” “de” links the need to the thing that is needed. The whole pattern “avoir besoin de + noun” means “to need + noun.” Use “de” in this construction before the needed object or material.

ruban “Ruban” means “tape” as the first part of “ruban adhésif.” It names the strip-like material being requested. Use it together with “adhésif” when referring to adhesive tape in this dialogue.

adhésif “Adhésif” specifies that the “ruban” is adhesive in “ruban adhésif.” Together, the two words mean adhesive tape, the material the speaker needs. Use “ruban adhésif” when asking for or identifying this kind of tape.

est “Est” means “is” in “Le ruban adhésif est dans le tiroir.” It connects the tape with its location in the drawer. Use “est + place or location” to say where something is.

dans “Dans” means “in” in “dans le tiroir” and places the tape inside the drawer. It is followed here by the container or place containing the object. Use “être dans + place or container” to describe an inside location.

tiroir “Tiroir” means “drawer” in “le tiroir.” It is the place where the tape is located. Use it with a determiner such as “le” when referring to a specific drawer.

Tu “Tu” means “you” and addresses the other person in “Tu as aussi une règle ?” and “Tu peux la prendre de là.” It is used here for one person in a direct, familiar conversation. Place “tu” before the verb when asking or telling that person something.

as “As” means “have” in “Tu as aussi une règle ?” and asks whether the other person has a ruler available. Use “tu as + noun” to ask or state whether one person has something.

une “Une” introduces “règle” as one unspecified ruler in “une règle.” It presents the ruler as a new item in the conversation. Use “une + noun” when introducing one feminine noun that is not yet specific.

règle “Règle” means “ruler” in “une règle” and “la règle.” It is the measuring tool that the speaker asks about and later must leave on top. Use “une règle” when introducing a ruler and “la règle” when referring back to that specific ruler.

Oui “Oui” means “yes” and confirms the answer to “Tu as aussi une règle ?” It is used as a direct affirmative reply. Use “Oui” at the beginning of a response when agreeing or confirming.

elle “Elle” means “it” in “elle est sur mon bureau,” referring back to the feminine noun “règle.” It is the subject of “est” when the speaker says where the ruler is. Use “elle” to refer back to a feminine singular noun.

sur “Sur” means “on” in “sur mon bureau” and indicates that the ruler is positioned on the desk’s surface. Use “être sur + surface or object” to describe something located on top of it.

mon “Mon” means “my” in “mon bureau” and shows that the desk belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun it describes. Use “mon + noun” to identify something belonging to the speaker.

bureau “Bureau” means “desk” in “mon bureau,” the place where the ruler is located. Use it with a possessive such as “mon” when identifying whose desk it is.

la In “la prendre,” “la” means “it” and refers to the ruler introduced as “une règle.” It is placed before the infinitive “prendre” as the object of that action. Use “la + infinitive” when referring to one feminine singular object that someone will take or act on.

prendre “Prendre” means “take” in “la prendre.” It follows “peux” in “Tu peux la prendre de là,” so the sentence says that the listener can take the ruler from there. Use “pouvoir + infinitive” to say that someone can do an action.

là “Là” means “there” in “de là,” referring to the place where the ruler is located, the desk. The phrase “de là” means “from there.” Use “là” to point to a place that is understood from the conversation.

rendrai “Rendrai” means “will return” in “Je rendrai tout quand j'aurai fini.” It states the speaker’s future action of returning all the borrowed items. Use “Je rendrai + object” when promising or describing that you will return something.

tout “Tout” means “everything” in “Je rendrai tout.” It refers collectively to the scissors, tape, ruler, and other borrowed items. Use “tout” as the object when referring to all the relevant things together.

quand “Quand” means “when” and introduces the time condition in “quand j'aurai fini.” It connects the future return with the point at which the speaker has finished. Use “quand + clause” to say when an action happens.

j'aurai “J'aurai” means “I will have” in “quand j'aurai fini.” Together with “fini,” it expresses that the speaker will have finished before returning everything. Use “quand j'aurai fini” to refer to a future point after the speaker has completed something.

fini “Fini” means “finished” in “j'aurai fini.” With “j'aurai,” it describes an action completed by the relevant future time. Use “avoir fini” when saying that someone has finished an activity.

Laisse “Laisse” gives the instruction “leave” in “Laisse la règle dessus.” It tells the listener not to move the ruler from the indicated position. Use “Laisse + object + place” when telling someone where to leave something.

dessus “Dessus” means “on top” in “la règle dessus.” It indicates the position where the ruler should be left, with the supporting surface understood from the context. Use “dessus” when referring to a position on top of something already understood.

pour “Pour” introduces the purpose in “pour que je puisse la trouver plus tard.” It explains that leaving the ruler on top will allow the speaker to find it later. Use “pour que + clause” to introduce an intended result or purpose.

puisse “Puisse” expresses “can” or “may” in “pour que je puisse la trouver plus tard.” After “pour que,” it describes the speaker’s ability to find the ruler. Use “pour que je puisse + infinitive” to state a purpose involving what the speaker can do.

trouver “Trouver” means “find” in “la trouver plus tard.” It describes locating the ruler after it has been left in the indicated place. Use “pouvoir + trouver + object” when saying that someone can find something.

plus tard “Plus tard” means “later” in “la trouver plus tard.” “Tard” supplies the time idea of being late, and “plus” moves that time further on; together they refer to a later time. Use “plus tard” when referring to a time after now or after another event.

Grammar Points

Impératif + pronom objet : Prends-les

Prends-les.

prahn-LAY.

Take them.

In an affirmative command, the object pronoun follows the verb and joins it with a hyphen: prends-les.

Futur antérieur : j'aurai fini

J'aurai fini.

zhoh-RAY fee-NEE.

I will have finished.

The future perfect shows that an action will be completed before a future point.

French Vocabulary

besoin de phrase

buh-ZWAN duh need for; need

J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.

bureau noun

bew-ROH desk

Oui, elle est sur mon bureau.

ciseaux noun

see-ZOH scissors

Est-ce que je peux utiliser les ciseaux ?

dessus adv

duh-SEW on top; on it

Laisse la règle dessus pour que je puisse la trouver plus tard.

garde verb

GARD keep

Prends-les et garde les lames vers le bas.

lames noun

LAHM blades

garde les lames vers le bas

Prends-les verb

prahn-LAY Take them

Prends-les et garde les lames vers le bas.

règle noun

REHGL ruler

Tu as aussi une règle ?

ruban adhésif noun

roo-BAHN ahd-ay-ZEEF adhesive tape

J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.

tiroir noun

tee-RWAHR drawer

Le ruban adhésif est dans le tiroir.

utiliser verb

oo-tee-lee-ZAY to use

Est-ce que je peux utiliser les ciseaux ?

vers le bas phrase

vair luh BAH downward

garde les lames vers le bas

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I also need some tape.

Show Answer

J'ai aussi besoin de ruban adhésif.

Do you have a ruler too?

Show Answer

Tu as aussi une règle ?

Yes, it is on my desk.

Show Answer

Oui, elle est sur mon bureau.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

scissors

Show Answer

ciseaux

drawer

Show Answer

tiroir

blades

Show Answer

lames

keep

Show Answer

garde