Comparing jacket quality and fit | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a clothing shop, two adults compare similar jackets by fabric, warmth, and fit before deciding..

EN → FR / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Comparing jacket quality and fit to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ces deux vestes se ressemblent beaucoup.

say duh VEST suh ruh-SAHM-bluh boh-KOO These two jackets look very similar.
B

Comparons le tissu et la coupe.

kom-pah-RON luh tee-SOO ay luh KOOP Let's compare the fabric and fit.
A

Celle-ci semble légère.

sell-SEE sahmbl lay-ZHAIR This one feels light.
A

Le tissu semble fin.

luh tee-SOO sahmbl FAN The fabric seems thin.
B

L'autre semble plus solide et plus chaude.

LOHTR sahmbl ploo soh-LEED ay ploo SHODE The other one feels sturdier and warmer.
A

Celle-là serait peut-être mieux pour tous les jours.

sell-LAH suh-RAY puh-TETR MYUH poor too lay ZHOOR That might be better for everyday use.
B

Essaie-la d'abord et vois comment tu te sens dedans.

eh-SAY-lah dah-BOR ay vwah koh-MAHN too tuh sahn dah-DAHN Try it on first and see how it feels.
A

Je vais essayer les deux avant de décider.

zhuh vay eh-say-YAY lay duh ah-VAHN duh day-see-DAY I will try both before I decide.
B

Cela devrait rendre le choix plus facile.

suh-LAH duh-VRAY RAHN-druh luh SHWAH ploo fah-SEEL That should make the choice easier.

Word by Word

Ces Ces means “these” in “Ces deux vestes” and points to the two jackets being discussed. It comes before the number and noun in this phrase, as in “Ces trois livres” for “these three books.” You would use it when identifying nearby or currently discussed plural things.
deux Deux means “two” in “Ces deux vestes” and gives the number of jackets. It comes before the noun in this expression. You can reuse it before another noun when identifying a pair, such as “deux options.”
vestes Vestes means “jackets” here and refers to the two clothing items in “Ces deux vestes.” The word is used after a number and an article or demonstrative, as in “deux vestes.” You would use it when talking about jackets in a clothing shop or elsewhere.
se Se helps form the reciprocal expression “se ressemblent,” meaning that the two jackets resemble each other. It shows that the relationship goes between the subjects of the expression. A useful pattern is “se ressembler” when comparing how two things look alike.
ressemblent Ressemblent means “resemble” or “look alike” in “Ces deux vestes se ressemblent.” Together with “se,” it describes a similarity between the two jackets. You can use the pattern “se ressemblent” when saying that two things look similar.
beaucoup Beaucoup means “a lot” or “very much” in “se ressemblent beaucoup,” strengthening the statement that the jackets look alike. It comes after the expression it modifies here. You can reuse it to emphasize degree, such as in “aimer beaucoup.”
Comparons Comparons means “let’s compare” in “Comparons le tissu et la coupe.” It invites the other person to make a comparison together. You would use it before the things being compared, as in “Comparons les deux modèles.”
le Le means “the” before the masculine singular noun in “le tissu.” At the beginning of a sentence, the same article appears capitalized as “Le tissu.” It is used directly before a specific masculine singular noun.
tissu Tissu means “fabric” in “le tissu,” referring to the material of the jackets. It commonly follows a definite article such as “le.” You would use it when discussing the material or textile of clothing.
et Et means “and” in “le tissu et la coupe,” linking the two features being compared. It joins words or phrases without changing their order. You can use it to connect two items, qualities, or actions.
la La means “the” before the feminine singular noun in “la coupe.” It identifies the specific fit or cut being discussed. It is placed directly before a feminine singular noun.
coupe Coupe means “cut” or, in this clothing context, “fit” in “la coupe.” It refers to the way the jacket is shaped and fits the body. You would use it when discussing the shape or fit of a garment.
Celle-ci Celle-ci means “this one” and refers here to one of the jackets in “Celle-ci semble légère.” The form points to a single feminine item, which fits “veste.” You would use it to identify one particular feminine item among several.
semble Semble means “seems” in “Celle-ci semble légère,” presenting the speaker’s impression of the jacket. It introduces an observed quality rather than a definite measurement. A useful pattern is “semble” followed by an adjective, as in “semble pratique.”
légère Légère means “light” in “semble légère,” describing the jacket’s weight. It follows “semble” as the quality being attributed to the jacket. You would use it when describing a light item, especially clothing or luggage.
fin Fin means “thin” in “Le tissu semble fin,” describing the fabric’s thickness. It follows “semble” and refers specifically to “le tissu.” You would use it when commenting on the thickness of fabric or another material.
L'autre L'autre means “the other one” and refers to the remaining jacket in the comparison. In “L'autre semble plus solide,” it avoids repeating the noun “veste.” You can use it to distinguish one item from another after the first item has been mentioned.
plus Plus means “more” in “plus solide” and “plus chaude,” marking a higher degree of each quality. It comes before the adjective in both expressions. You can reuse the pattern “plus + adjective” when comparing two things.
solide Solide means “sturdy” or “solid” in “plus solide,” describing the other jacket as more robust. The word follows “plus” to form the comparison. You would use it when evaluating the strength or durability of an object.
chaude Chaude means “warm” in “plus chaude,” describing the jacket as warmer. It follows “plus” to compare the warmth of the two jackets. You would use it when talking about clothing that keeps someone warm.
Celle-là Celle-là means “that one” and identifies one particular jacket in “Celle-là serait peut-être mieux.” Like “Celle-ci,” it refers to a single feminine item, here a veste. You can use it to point out or select one item from several.
serait Serait means “would be” in “serait peut-être mieux,” presenting a tentative evaluation rather than a definite decision. It combines with the following description of which jacket may be better. You would use it when making a cautious suggestion or judgment.
peut-être Peut-être means “perhaps” or “maybe” in “serait peut-être mieux,” softening the suggestion. The expression combines “peut,” which contributes the idea of possibility, with “être,” the “be” element of the expression. You can place it around a statement when you are not completely certain.
mieux Mieux means “better” in “serait peut-être mieux,” comparing the suitability of one jacket with the other. It follows “être” here to describe the result of the comparison. You would use it when saying that one option is more suitable or preferable.
pour Pour means “for” in “pour tous les jours” and introduces the intended use of the jacket. It connects the item with the purpose or situation it is suitable for. You can reuse “pour” before a use, purpose, or person.
tous Tous contributes the meaning “all” in the expression “tous les jours,” which means “every day.” Here it works together with “les jours” to describe repeated daily use. You can reuse the complete pattern “tous les jours” when talking about something done each day.
les Les means “the” before the plural noun in “les jours.” In the complete expression “tous les jours,” it helps form the meaning “every day.” It is placed before plural nouns when referring to them as a group.
jours Jours means “days” in “tous les jours.” Together with “tous les,” it forms the common expression “every day,” describing regular daily use. You would use it when referring to days or repeated daily activity.
Essaie-la Essaie-la means “try it on” in the instruction “Essaie-la d'abord,” referring to the jacket. The attached “-la” points back to the feminine item being tried. You would use this form when telling someone to try a particular feminine clothing item.
d'abord D'abord means “first” in “Essaie-la d'abord,” showing that trying the jacket should happen before the next action. It commonly appears with an instruction or a sequence of actions. You can use it to mark the first step in a plan.
vois Vois means “see” in “vois comment tu te sens dedans,” asking the listener to observe their own experience. It introduces what the listener should check after trying on the jacket. You can use it in an instruction before something to observe or find out.
comment Comment means “how” in “comment tu te sens dedans,” introducing the manner or experience the listener should notice. It begins the clause that explains what to see. You can reuse it before a subject and verb when asking or describing how something happens.
tu Tu means “you” in “tu te sens dedans” and identifies the person whose experience is being discussed. It is the subject of the expression. You would use it when speaking directly to one familiar person.
te Te refers back to the person addressed in “tu te sens,” helping express how that person feels. It appears with “tu” and “sens” in this expression about personal experience. A useful pattern is “tu te sens” followed by a description or place.
sens Sens means “feel” in “tu te sens dedans,” describing the listener’s experience while wearing the jacket. Together with “te,” it expresses how the person feels in it. You can reuse “se sentir” when describing someone’s physical or emotional experience.
dedans Dedans means “inside” or “in it” in “tu te sens dedans,” referring to the inside or wearing experience of the jacket. It completes the expression about how the person feels while wearing it. You would use it when referring to being inside something or inside a piece of clothing.
Je Je means “I” in “Je vais essayer les deux” and identifies the speaker as the person who will try both jackets. It is the subject of the sentence. You use it before a verb when talking about your own action or intention.
vais Vais means “am going to” in “Je vais essayer,” expressing the speaker’s intention to try the jackets. Together with the following infinitive, it refers to a planned or imminent action. You can reuse the pattern “Je vais” followed by an infinitive to state what you are going to do.
essayer Essayer means “to try” in “vais essayer les deux.” It is the action planned by the speaker and takes “les deux” as what will be tried. You would use it for trying on clothing or testing an object, depending on the context.
avant Avant means “before” in “avant de décider,” showing that trying both jackets happens earlier than making the decision. It introduces the first event in the sequence. You can reuse “avant de” before an infinitive to describe an action that must happen first.
de De links “avant” with the infinitive “décider” in “avant de décider.” Together, “avant de” means “before doing something.” You can reuse this construction before another infinitive when describing the order of actions.
décider Décider means “to decide” in “avant de décider,” referring to choosing which jacket to buy. It appears as an infinitive after “avant de.” You would use it when talking about making a choice or reaching a decision.
Cela Cela means “that” in “Cela devrait rendre le choix plus facile,” referring to the result of trying both jackets. It acts as the subject of the expected result. You can use it to refer back to an action, fact, or situation just mentioned.
devrait Devrait means “should” in “Cela devrait rendre le choix plus facile,” expressing an expected result. It presents the easier choice as a likely consequence of trying both jackets. You can use it before an infinitive when saying what is expected to happen.
rendre Rendre means “make” in “rendre le choix plus facile,” describing the action of causing the choice to become easier. It is followed by the thing affected and the resulting quality. A useful pattern is “rendre + object + adjective,” meaning “make something [adjective].”
choix Choix means “choice” in “le choix,” referring to the decision between the two jackets. It is the object affected by “rendre” in “rendre le choix plus facile.” You would use it when discussing a decision or the available selection.
facile Facile means “easy” in “plus facile,” describing the choice as easier after trying both jackets. It follows “plus” to form the comparison. You can reuse “plus facile” when saying that an action or decision requires less difficulty than before.

Grammar Points

plus + adjectif

Celle-ci semble plus légère.

sell-SEE sahmbl ploo lay-ZHAIR

This one seems lighter.

French forms the comparative with plus + adjective; the adjective agrees with the feminine noun it describes.

celle-ci / celle-là

Essaie celle-ci d’abord.

eh-SAY sell-SEE dah-BOR

Try this one first.

Celle-ci and celle-là are feminine demonstrative pronouns that replace a previously mentioned noun.

French Vocabulary

beaucoup adv
boh-KOO very much
celle-ci pron
sell-SEE this one
comparer verb
kom-pah-RAY to compare Comparons
coupe noun
KOOP fit
fin adj
FAN thin
l'autre pron
LOHTR the other one
léger adj
lay-ZHAY light légère
se ressembler verb
suh ruh-sahm-BLAY to look alike se ressemblent
sembler verb
sahm-BLAY to seem semble
solide adj
soh-LEED sturdy plus solide
tissu noun
tee-SOO fabric
veste noun
VEST jacket vestes

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

These two jackets look very similar.

Show AnswerCes deux vestes se ressemblent beaucoup.

Let's compare the fabric and fit.

Show AnswerComparons le tissu et la coupe.

This one feels light.

Show AnswerCelle-ci semble légère.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

fit

Show Answercoupe

fabric

Show Answertissu

light

Show Answerlégère

to compare

Show AnswerComparons