Preparing tea and snacks for a guest | Learn French in English

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Use Preparing tea and snacks for a guest to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Notre invité va bientôt arriver.

NOHTR ahn-vee-TAY vah byan-TOH ah-ree-VAY. Our guest will arrive soon.

On sert du café ou du thé ?

ohn sair dyoo kah-FAY oo dyoo TAY? Should we serve coffee or tea?

Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.

luh TAY eh proh-bah-bluh-MAHN meh-YUHR suh SWAHR. Tea is probably better this evening.

Je vais faire bouillir de l'eau dans la bouilloire.

zhuh VAY fair boo-YEER duh LOH dahn lah boo-YWAHR. I'll boil some water in the kettle.

Utilise la grande tasse pour notre invité, s'il te plaît.

oo-tee-LEEZ lah GRAHND tahss poor NOHTR ahn-vee-TAY, seel tuh PLAY. Please use the large mug for our guest.

Tu veux que je prépare aussi quelque chose à grignoter ?

tyoo VUH kuh zhuh pray-PAHR oh-SEE kel-kuh SHOHZ ah gree-nyoh-TAY? Would you like me to prepare snacks too?

Mets quelques biscuits sur la petite assiette, s'il te plaît.

MEH kelk bee-SKWEE soor lah puh-TEET ah-SYET, seel tuh PLAY. Put some biscuits on the small plate, please.

Tout sera prêt avant son arrivée.

too suh-RAH PREH ah-VAHN sohn ah-ree-VAY. Everything will be ready before they arrive.

Word by Word

Notre “Notre” means “our” here and identifies the guest as belonging to or being connected with the people speaking. It comes before “invité” in “Notre invité”; use the same pattern with another singular noun, such as “notre maison” in a new example. You would use it when talking about something shared or connected to you and another person.

invité “invité” means “guest” in “Notre invité va bientôt arriver.” It names the person who is expected at the home, and “notre invité” is a reusable phrase for “our guest.” Use it when welcoming or discussing someone who has been invited.

va “va” helps express that the guest is going to arrive soon in “va bientôt arriver.” It is followed by the infinitive “arriver”; the pattern “va + infinitive” is useful for talking about an expected near-future action. You would use it when saying what someone is about to do.

bientôt “bientôt” means “soon” and places “va bientôt arriver” in the near future. It commonly appears with an action, as in “arriver bientôt” in a new example. Use it when an event is expected after a short time.

arriver “arriver” means “to arrive” in “va bientôt arriver.” It follows “va” as the action that is expected to happen; “va + arriver” is a reusable near-future pattern. You would use it when talking about someone reaching a place.

On “On” means “we” in the serving question “On sert du café ou du thé ?” It presents the serving choice as a shared decision between the speakers. Use “On” when speaking informally about an action done by you and other people together.

sert “sert” refers to serving in “On sert du café ou du thé ?” Together with “On,” it asks which drink the speakers should serve. The reusable pattern “On sert + food or drink” helps discuss what is being served.

du “du” introduces an unspecified amount of coffee in “du café.” It appears before the uncounted drink name in this serving choice; “du + drink or food” is a useful pattern for offering or serving some of something. You would use it when referring to an amount without specifying how much.

café “café” means “coffee” in “du café.” In “du café,” it names the drink being considered for serving; the same phrase can be used when offering or preparing coffee. Use it in a situation involving drinks at home or in a café.

ou “ou” means “or” and connects the two alternatives in “du café ou du thé.” It is used between choices, so the listener can select one option. Use it when asking or presenting a choice between food, drinks, or other possibilities.

thé “thé” means “tea” in both “du thé” and “Le thé.” In “du café ou du thé,” it names one of the drinks being considered, while “Le thé” refers to tea as the selected option. Use it when discussing tea as a drink.

Le “Le” means “the” in “Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.” It identifies “thé” as the drink being discussed rather than introducing an unspecified amount. Use “Le” before a singular masculine noun when referring to a specific item or idea.

est “est” means “is” and links “Le thé” with the evaluation “meilleur.” The pattern “X est + description or evaluation” is useful for describing or judging something. You would use it when stating what something is like.

probablement “probablement” means “probably” and shows that the speaker is making a likely but not certain judgment about the tea. It appears before “meilleur” in “est probablement meilleur.” Use it when expressing a conclusion or opinion with some uncertainty.

meilleur “meilleur” presents the tea as the better choice in “Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.” It follows “est” and describes the speaker’s evaluation of the drink; “être meilleur” is a reusable pattern for saying that one option is better. Use it when comparing or choosing between options.

ce “ce” helps identify “soir” as “this evening” in “ce soir.” Together, “ce soir” refers to the evening of the current day. Use this expression when making plans or describing something happening this evening.

soir “soir” means “evening” in “ce soir.” With “ce,” it forms the common time expression “ce soir,” meaning “this evening.” Use it when talking about plans, events, or conditions during the evening.

Je “Je” means “I” in “Je vais faire bouillir de l’eau.” It identifies the speaker as the person who will boil the water; “Je vais + infinitive” is a reusable way to say what you are going to do. Use it when announcing your own planned action.

vais “vais” means “am going to” in “Je vais faire bouillir de l’eau.” It works with “Je” and is followed by the infinitive “faire”; the pattern “Je vais + infinitive” expresses a planned or near-future action. You would use it when stating what you intend to do next.

faire “faire” means “do” or “make,” and in “faire bouillir de l’eau” it helps express making the water boil. It is followed here by “bouillir” and the object “de l’eau”; “faire + infinitive” is a reusable pattern for causing or arranging an action. Use it when describing an action you will make happen.

bouillir “bouillir” means “to boil” in “faire bouillir de l’eau.” It names what the water is made to do and follows “faire” in the pattern “faire bouillir + object.” Use it when preparing water or another liquid by bringing it to a boil.

de “de” contributes to the quantity expression “de l’eau,” meaning some water in this context. It comes before “l’eau” and helps introduce the liquid being boiled; “de + liquid” is useful when referring to an unspecified amount. Use it when describing the amount of a liquid without giving a measurement.

l'eau “l’eau” means “the water” in “de l’eau,” the water that will be boiled. It identifies the liquid used for preparing the tea; “de l’eau” is a reusable phrase for some water. You would use it when asking for, adding, or preparing water.

dans “dans” means “in” and places the water inside the kettle in “dans la bouilloire.” The pattern “dans + container” is useful for describing where something is placed or used. Use it when saying that an object or liquid is inside something.

la “la” means “the” before “bouilloire” in “la bouilloire.” It identifies the specific kettle being used; “la + noun” is a reusable way to refer to a specific singular item. Use it when referring to a known item in the situation.

bouilloire “bouilloire” means “kettle” in “dans la bouilloire.” It names the container in which the water will be boiled; “dans la bouilloire” is a useful location phrase. You would use it when preparing hot water for tea or another drink.

Utilise “Utilise” tells the other person to use something in “Utilise la grande tasse.” It is followed by the object “la grande tasse”; the pattern “Utilise + object” is useful for giving a direct instruction. You would use it when asking someone to choose or operate a particular item.

grande “grande” means “large” in “la grande tasse” and describes the size of the cup. It comes before “tasse” in this noun phrase; “la grande + noun” is a reusable way to identify a large item. Use it when choosing a larger object for a particular purpose.

tasse “tasse” means “cup” or “mug” in “la grande tasse.” It names the drink container intended for the guest; “la tasse” is a useful phrase when referring to a specific cup. You would use it when serving tea, coffee, or another drink.

pour “pour” means “for” in “pour notre invité” and marks the intended recipient of the mug. The pattern “pour + person” is useful for saying who an item or action is intended for. Use it when preparing something for a guest or another person.

s'il te plaît “s'il te plaît” means “please” as a polite request at the end of “Utilise la grande tasse pour notre invité, s'il te plaît.” The whole expression contains “s'il,” “te,” and “plaît”: together they make the request polite, while “te” addresses one person informally. Use it when asking one person informally to do something.

Tu “Tu” means “you” when addressing one person informally in “Tu veux que je prépare aussi quelque chose à grignoter ?” It identifies the person being asked; “Tu veux...” is a reusable way to ask an informal singular person what they want. Use it with a friend, family member, or another person you address informally.

veux “veux” expresses “want” in “Tu veux que je prépare...” The pattern “Tu veux que + clause” asks whether the other person wants someone to do an action. You would use it when checking an informal person’s preference or request.

que “que” introduces the requested action in “Tu veux que je prépare aussi quelque chose à grignoter ?” It connects “Tu veux” with the clause “je prépare...” and keeps the person doing the action explicit. Use “veux que + subject + action” when asking whether someone wants another person to do something.

prépare “prépare” means “prepare” in “que je prépare aussi quelque chose à grignoter.” It names the action the speaker may carry out, with “je” showing who would prepare it. Use it when discussing preparation of food, drinks, or other items.

aussi “aussi” means “also” or “too” in “je prépare aussi quelque chose.” It adds this preparation to the tea preparation already being discussed; it commonly appears near the action it adds. Use it when including one more action or item.

quelque chose “quelque chose” means “something” in “quelque chose à grignoter.” The whole expression contains “quelque” and “chose” and refers to an unspecified item, here something suitable to snack on. Use it when the exact object is not specified or is not important.

à “à” introduces the purpose or type of item in “quelque chose à grignoter,” meaning something to snack on. It comes before the infinitive “grignoter”; the pattern “quelque chose à + infinitive” is useful for describing something to do. You would use it when asking for or offering an item for a particular activity.

grignoter “grignoter” means “to snack” or “to nibble” in “quelque chose à grignoter.” It describes the light eating intended for the unspecified item; “quelque chose à grignoter” is a reusable phrase for a snack. Use it when talking about eating a small amount between meals or with a drink.

Mets “Mets” tells the other person to put or place something in “Mets quelques biscuits sur la petite assiette.” It is followed by the object “quelques biscuits” and the location “sur la petite assiette.” Use it when giving an informal instruction about placing an item somewhere.

quelques “quelques” means “some” or “a few” in “quelques biscuits.” It indicates a small, unspecified number and comes before the plural noun “biscuits”; “quelques + plural noun” is a reusable pattern. Use it when requesting or mentioning a small number of items.

biscuits “biscuits” means “biscuits” or “cookies” in “quelques biscuits.” It names the snack to be placed on the plate; “quelques biscuits” is a useful phrase when offering a small number of biscuits. You would use it when preparing a light snack for a guest.

sur “sur” means “on” in “sur la petite assiette” and shows that the biscuits should be placed on the plate’s surface. The pattern “sur + object” is useful for describing where something is placed. Use it when giving or explaining the location of an item.

petite “petite” means “small” in “la petite assiette” and describes the size of the plate. It comes before “assiette” in this noun phrase; “la petite + noun” is a reusable way to identify a small item. Use it when choosing a smaller object for serving or placing something.

assiette “assiette” means “plate” in “la petite assiette.” It names the surface where the biscuits should be placed; “sur l’assiette” is a useful phrase for describing something on a plate. Use it when serving food or setting a table.

Tout “Tout” means “everything” in “Tout sera prêt.” It refers collectively to the tea, snacks, and other preparations in the scene; “Tout sera + description” is a reusable pattern for giving an overall status. Use it when referring to all the relevant items together.

sera “sera” means “will be” in “Tout sera prêt.” It places the statement about readiness in the future and is followed by “prêt,” the condition expected later. Use it when saying that something will have a particular state at a future time.

prêt “prêt” means “ready” in “Tout sera prêt.” It describes the condition of the preparations before the guest’s arrival; “être prêt” is a reusable expression for being ready. Use it when preparations or a person are ready for the next event.

avant “avant” means “before” and places the readiness earlier than “son arrivée” in “avant son arrivée.” The pattern “avant + noun” is useful for expressing that one event happens earlier than another. Use it when setting a deadline or sequence for preparations.

son “son” points to the person’s arrival in “son arrivée,” translated here as “their arrival.” It comes before the noun “arrivée” and indicates whose arrival is being discussed; “avant son arrivée” is a reusable phrase for finishing something before someone arrives. Use it when referring to a person’s upcoming arrival without repeating the person’s name.

arrivée “arrivée” means “arrival” in “son arrivée.” It names the event that the preparations must precede; “avant son arrivée” is a useful expression for a deadline before someone reaches the place. You would use it when discussing or planning around someone’s arrival.

Grammar Points

Impératif informel : utilise / mets + complément

Utilise la grande bouilloire.

oo-tee-LEEZ lah GRAHND boo-YWAHR.

Use the large kettle.

For an informal singular command, French omits the subject pronoun and uses the imperative verb form.

Accord de l’adjectif : grande bouilloire

La grande tasse est prête.

lah GRAHND tahss eh PREHT.

The large mug is ready.

The adjective agrees with the noun in gender and number: grande is feminine singular, like tasse.

French Vocabulary

arriver verb

ah-ree-VAY to arrive

Notre invité va bientôt arriver.

bientôt adv

byan-TOH soon

Notre invité va bientôt arriver.

bouilloire noun

boo-YWAHR kettle

Je vais faire bouillir de l'eau dans la bouilloire.

café noun

kah-FAY coffee

On sert du café ou du thé ?

eau noun

OH water

Je vais faire bouillir de l'eau dans la bouilloire.

faire bouillir phrase

fair boo-YEER to boil

Je vais faire bouillir de l'eau dans la bouilloire.

invité noun

ahn-vee-TAY guest

Notre invité va bientôt arriver.

meilleur adj

meh-YUHR better

Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.

probablement adv

proh-bah-bluh-MAHN probably

Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.

servir verb

sair-VEER to serve sert

On sert du café ou du thé ?

soir noun

SWAHR evening

Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.

thé noun

TAY tea

Le thé est probablement meilleur ce soir.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Our guest will arrive soon.

Show Answer

Notre invité va bientôt arriver.

Everything will be ready before they arrive.

Show Answer

Tout sera prêt avant son arrivée.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to serve

Show Answer

sert

probably

Show Answer

probablement

better

Show Answer

meilleur

guest

Show Answer

invité