Using a shared meeting room | Learn French in English

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Use Using a shared meeting room to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Pouvons-nous utiliser la salle de réunion partagée ?

pooh-VOHN noo oo-zee-LEE-ZAY lah sahl duh ray-oo-NYOHN par-tah-ZHAY? Can we use the shared meeting room?

Vous pouvez, mais gardez la salle propre pour les autres.

voo poo-VAY, meh gar-DAY lah sahl PROHPR poor lay ZOH-truh. You can, but keep it tidy for other people.

Cette table est-elle libre ?

SEHT TAHLB eh-TEL LEEBR? Is this table free?

Elle est disponible maintenant.

ell ay dee-spoh-NEEBL muh-tuh-NAHN. It is available now.

Je vais mettre mon sac près du mur.

zhuh vay MEHTR mohn sak pray dü MYUR. I will put my bag by the wall.

Veuillez garder la table libre.

vuh-YAY gar-DAY lah TAHLB LEEBR. Please keep the table clear.

Nous laisserons la salle propre quand nous finirons.

noo less-uh-RON lah sahl PROHPR kahn noo fee-nee-RON. We will leave the room clean when we finish.

Cela aide le prochain groupe.

suh-LAH ed luh proh-SHAN groop. That helps the next group.

Word by Word

Pouvons “Pouvons” means “can” in the question “Pouvons-nous utiliser la salle de réunion partagée ?”. It is the form used with “nous” in a question about ability or permission. A reusable pattern is “Pouvons-nous” plus an infinitive to ask whether we can do something.

nous “nous” means “we” in “Pouvons-nous utiliser...” and “Nous laisserons...”; in “Pouvons-nous”, it appears after the verb because the sentence is a question. It identifies the speakers as the people who may use the room and who will leave it clean. A common pattern is “nous” plus a verb, as in “Nous laisserons la salle propre”.

utiliser “utiliser” means “to use” in “Pouvons-nous utiliser la salle de réunion partagée ?”. It follows “Pouvons-nous” as the action being asked about. A reusable pattern is “utiliser” plus an object, such as a room, table, or tool.

la “la” means “the” before “salle” in “la salle de réunion partagée”. It introduces this singular feminine noun phrase. A reusable pattern is “la” plus a feminine singular noun.

salle “salle” means “room” in “la salle de réunion partagée”. Here it refers to the shared meeting room that the speakers want to use and keep clean. A common pattern is “salle de” plus the type or purpose of the room.

de “de” links “salle” and “réunion” in “salle de réunion”, giving the meaning “meeting room”. It shows what kind of room it is. A reusable pattern is “salle de” plus an activity or purpose.

réunion “réunion” means “meeting” in “salle de réunion”. Together, “salle de réunion” names a room used for meetings. This expression can be reused when identifying a meeting room.

partagée “partagée” means “shared” in “la salle de réunion partagée”. It describes the meeting room as one used by more than one group or person. A reusable pattern is a noun followed by an adjective describing its condition or use.

Vous “Vous” means “you” in “Vous pouvez, mais gardez la salle propre...”. It addresses the people who want to use the room and can be used for one person formally or for more than one person. A common pattern is “Vous” plus a verb when giving information or an instruction.

pouvez “pouvez” means “can” in “Vous pouvez”. It says that the people addressed are allowed or able to use the room. A reusable pattern is “Vous pouvez” plus an infinitive for permission or ability.

mais “mais” means “but” in “Vous pouvez, mais gardez la salle propre...”. It connects permission to a condition or instruction. A common pattern is “mais” followed by the important limitation or request.

gardez “gardez” tells the people addressed to keep the room clean in “gardez la salle propre”. It is a direct instruction addressed to “vous”. A reusable pattern is “gardez” plus an object and a describing word, as in “gardez la salle propre”.

propre “propre” means “clean” or “tidy” in “gardez la salle propre”. It describes the condition the room should remain in for other people. A reusable pattern is “garder” plus an object and “propre” when asking someone to keep something clean.

pour “pour” means “for” in “pour les autres”. It shows who benefits from keeping the room clean. A common pattern is “pour” plus a person or group, as in “pour les autres”.

les “les” means “the” before “autres” in “les autres”. It introduces a plural group of people. A reusable pattern is “les” plus a plural noun or adjective used to refer to a group.

autres “autres” means “others” or “other people” in “les autres”. Here it refers to the people who will use the shared room after or alongside the speakers. The common expression “les autres” can refer to other people in the situation.

Cette “Cette” means “this” before “table” in “Cette table est-elle libre ?”. It points to one particular table. A reusable pattern is “cette” plus a feminine singular noun when identifying one thing.

table “table” means “table” in “Cette table est-elle libre ?” and “garder la table libre”. It is the surface the speaker asks about and is asked to keep clear. A common pattern is “la table” plus a description of its availability or condition.

est “est” means “is” in “Cette table est-elle libre ?” and “Elle est disponible maintenant”. It links the table or “elle” with a description of its availability. A reusable pattern is a subject plus “est” plus an adjective.

elle “elle” means “it” in “Elle est disponible maintenant”, referring back to the feminine noun “table”. It is the subject of the sentence about the table’s availability. A common pattern is “elle est” plus a description of a feminine noun.

libre “libre” means “free” or available for use in “Cette table est-elle libre ?”. The speaker is asking whether the table can be used. A reusable pattern is “la table est libre” when checking whether a table is unoccupied.

disponible “disponible” means “available” in “Elle est disponible maintenant”. It says that the table can be used at the present time. A common pattern is “être disponible” when talking about something that can be used or obtained.

maintenant “maintenant” means “now” in “Elle est disponible maintenant”. It specifies that the table is available at the current time. It can be placed after a statement to add when something is true.

Je “Je” means “I” in “Je vais mettre mon sac près du mur”. It identifies the person who will put the bag down. A common pattern is “Je vais” plus an infinitive to say what I am going to do.

vais “vais” means “am going to” in “Je vais mettre mon sac...”. Together with “mettre”, it describes a planned action. A reusable pattern is “Je vais” plus an infinitive for an intention or near-future action.

mettre “mettre” means “to put” in “Je vais mettre mon sac près du mur”. It names the action planned for the bag and is used after “vais”. A common pattern is “mettre” plus an object plus a place, as in “mettre mon sac près du mur”.

mon “mon” means “my” before “sac” in “mon sac”. It identifies the bag as belonging to the speaker. A reusable pattern is “mon” plus a singular noun when referring to something belonging to the speaker.

sac “sac” means “bag” in “Je vais mettre mon sac près du mur”. It is the object that the speaker plans to put by the wall. A common pattern is “mettre mon sac” when saying where the speaker will place the bag.

près “près” means “near” in “près du mur”. It describes the bag’s intended location. A reusable pattern is “près de” plus a place or object to say that something is nearby.

du “du” means “the” in the expression “près du mur”, where it forms the link between “près” and “mur”. It is used here before the masculine singular noun “mur”. The reusable expression “près du” introduces a nearby place or object.

mur “mur” means “wall” in “près du mur”. It identifies the place beside which the speaker will put the bag. A common pattern is “près du mur” when describing an object’s location.

Veuillez “Veuillez” introduces a polite formal request in “Veuillez garder la table libre”. It addresses the listener and asks them to carry out the following action. A reusable pattern is “Veuillez” plus an infinitive for a formal request.

garder “garder” means “to keep” in “Veuillez garder la table libre”. It follows “Veuillez” and names the requested action. A common pattern is “garder” plus an object and a description of the condition to maintain.

laisserons “laisserons” means “will leave” in “Nous laisserons la salle propre”. It says that the speakers plan to leave the room in a clean condition when they finish. A reusable pattern is “Nous laisserons” plus an object and a describing word.

quand “quand” means “when” in “quand nous finirons”. It introduces the time at which the speakers will leave the room clean. A common pattern is “quand” plus a clause describing the event that sets the time.

finirons “finirons” means “will finish” in “quand nous finirons”. It refers to the speakers completing their use of the room. A reusable pattern is “quand nous finirons” when describing what will happen after the speakers finish an activity.

Cela “Cela” means “that” or “it” in “Cela aide le prochain groupe”. It refers to the action just described: leaving the room clean. A common pattern is “Cela” plus a verb to comment on a previous action or situation.

aide “aide” means “helps” in “Cela aide le prochain groupe”. It explains the benefit of leaving the room clean. A reusable pattern is “Cela aide” plus the person or group that benefits.

le “le” means “the” before “prochain groupe” in “le prochain groupe”. It introduces one specific masculine singular group. A reusable pattern is “le” plus a masculine singular noun.

prochain “prochain” means “next” in “le prochain groupe”. It identifies the group that will use the room after the current speakers. A common pattern is “le prochain” plus a noun when referring to the next person, group, or event in sequence.

groupe “groupe” means “group” in “le prochain groupe”. Here it refers to the people who will use the shared meeting room next. A common pattern is “le prochain groupe” when referring to the next group in a shared space.

Grammar Points

Veuillez + infinitif

Veuillez laisser cela près du mur.

vuh-YAY less-SAY suh-LAH pray dü MYUR.

Please leave that near the wall.

Veuillez + infinitive is a formal and polite way to give an instruction.

Quand + futur simple

Quand nous finirons, nous laisserons cela près du mur.

kahn noo fee-nee-RON, noo less-uh-RON suh-LAH pray dü MYUR.

When we finish, we will leave that near the wall.

For a future event after quand, French uses the future tense, not the present tense.

French Vocabulary

cette det

SEHT this

Cette table est-elle libre ?

disponible adj

dee-spoh-NEEBL available

Elle est disponible maintenant.

garder verb

gar-DAY to keep gardez

gardez la salle propre

les autres pron

lay ZOH-truh the others; other people

pour les autres

libre adj

LEEBR free; clear

Cette table est-elle libre ?

maintenant adv

muh-tuh-NAHN now

Elle est disponible maintenant.

mettre verb

MEHTR to put

Je vais mettre mon sac près du mur.

partagé adj

par-tah-ZHAY shared partagée

la salle de réunion partagée

propre adj

PROHPR clean; tidy

gardez la salle propre

salle de réunion phrase

sahl duh ray-oo-NYOHN meeting room

la salle de réunion partagée

table noun

TAHLB table

Cette table est-elle libre ?

utiliser verb

oo-tee-lee-ZAY to use

Pouvons-nous utiliser la salle de réunion partagée ?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Is this table free?

Show Answer

Cette table est-elle libre ?

It is available now.

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Elle est disponible maintenant.

Please keep the table clear.

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Veuillez garder la table libre.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

shared

Show Answer

partagée

free; clear

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libre

to keep

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gardez

table

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table