Asking to wait inside after being locked out | Learn French in English

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Use Asking to wait inside after being locked out to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Je ne peux plus entrer dans mon appartement.

zhuh nuh puh ploo-ZAHN-tray dahn mohn ah-pahr-tuh-MAHN. I am locked out of my apartment.

Tu as un double quelque part ?

tyoo ah uhn DOOBL kelk PAHR? Do you have a spare key somewhere?

Non, mais mon propriétaire en a peut-être un.

nohn meh mohn proh-pree-uh-TAIR ahn ah puh-TETR uhn. I do not, but my landlord may have one.

Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant.

eh-SAY dahp-LAY tohn proh-pree-uh-TAIR mahn-tuh-NAHN. Try calling them now.

Est-ce que je peux attendre à l'intérieur pendant que je téléphone ?

ess kuh zhuh puh ah-TAHNDR ah lahn-tay-ree-UHR pahn-DAHN kuh zhuh tay-lay-FOHN? Could I wait inside while I make the call?

Entre et reste un moment.

AHN-truh ay rest uhn moh-MAHN. Come in for a while.

Il fait froid dehors.

eel feh frwah duh-OR. It is cold out there.

Je vais expliquer ce qui s'est passé et me renseigner sur la clé.

zhuh vay eks-plee-KAY suh kee say pah-SAY ay muh rahn-say-NYAY soor lah KLAY. I will explain what happened and ask about the key.

Dis-moi si tu as besoin de quelque chose pendant que tu attends.

dee-MWAH see tyoo ah buh-ZWAHN duh kelk SHOHZ pahn-DAHN kuh tyoo ah-TAHN. Tell me if you need anything while you wait.

Word by Word

Je In “Je ne peux plus entrer”, “Je” means “I” and identifies the speaker. It is used before the verb to state what the speaker can or cannot do. A common reuse pattern is “Je + verb” when describing your own action or situation.

ne In “Je ne peux plus entrer”, “ne” helps make the verb phrase negative. Together with “plus”, it shows that the speaker can no longer enter. The reusable pattern is “ne ... plus” with a verb for something that has stopped being possible.

peux In “Je ne peux plus entrer”, “peux” means “can” or “am able to”. It is a form of pouvoir, and “plus” changes the meaning to “can no longer”. A common reuse pattern is “Je peux + infinitive” when saying what you are able to do.

plus In “Je ne peux plus entrer”, “plus” means “any longer” because it appears with the negative “ne”. It shows that entering was possible before but is not possible now. The pattern “ne ... plus + verb” is useful for saying that something no longer happens.

entrer In “Je ne peux plus entrer”, “entrer” means “to enter” or “to go in”. It remains in this form after “peux” because it names the action the speaker cannot perform. A common reuse pattern is “pouvoir + infinitive” for saying what someone can do.

dans In “entrer dans mon appartement”, “dans” indicates movement into a place. It connects the action of entering with “mon appartement”. A common reuse pattern is “entrer dans + place” when describing going inside something.

mon In “mon appartement”, “mon” means “my” and shows that the apartment belongs to or is connected with the speaker. It comes directly before the noun “appartement”. The reusable pattern is “mon + noun” when referring to something belonging to the speaker.

appartement In “mon appartement”, “appartement” means “apartment”, the home the speaker cannot enter. It is the place introduced after “dans”. The expression “dans mon appartement” is useful when saying that someone is inside their apartment.

Tu In “Tu as un double”, “Tu” means “you” and addresses the other person directly. It is the person being asked whether they have a spare key. A common reuse pattern is “Tu + verb” when speaking directly to one person.

as In “Tu as un double”, “as” means “have”. It is a form of avoir and is used here to ask whether the other person possesses a spare key. The pattern “Tu as + noun?” is useful for asking if someone has something.

un In “un double”, “un” introduces one unspecified item and corresponds here to “a” or “one”. It comes before the noun “double”. The reusable pattern is “un + noun” when introducing one masculine item.

double In “un double”, “double” means a spare key, not simply a duplicate in the abstract. The surrounding phrase makes clear that it is an extra key for the apartment. “Un double” is useful when asking whether someone has an extra key.

quelque In “quelque part”, “quelque” contributes to the expression meaning “somewhere”. It does not express the whole location by itself; “part” completes the expression. The pattern “quelque part” is useful when referring to an unspecified place.

part In “quelque part”, “part” is the part of the expression that refers to a place. Together, “quelque part” means “somewhere”. This expression is useful when asking whether something is located in an unspecified place.

Non In “Non, mais mon propriétaire en a peut-être un”, “Non” means “no” and directly answers the question about the spare key. It is followed by “mais” to introduce a different possibility. “Non, mais...” is a useful way to reject one idea and add another.

mais In “Non, mais mon propriétaire en a peut-être un”, “mais” means “but” and contrasts the speaker’s lack of a key with the landlord possibly having one. It connects two opposing pieces of information. The pattern “Non, mais...” is useful when correcting or qualifying a negative answer.

propriétaire In “mon propriétaire” and “ton propriétaire”, “propriétaire” means “landlord”, the person connected with the apartment who may have a spare key. It appears after a possessive word. The pattern “mon/ton propriétaire” is useful when talking about the landlord of a home.

en In “mon propriétaire en a peut-être un”, “en” refers back to the spare key already mentioned. Together with “a ... un”, it means that the landlord may have one. A common reuse pattern is “en avoir” when referring back to something previously introduced.

a In “mon propriétaire en a peut-être un”, “a” means “has”. It is a form of avoir, and the subject here is “mon propriétaire”. The pattern “quelqu’un a + noun” is useful for saying what a person has.

peut-être The expression “peut-être” means “maybe” and shows that the speaker is not certain. The components “peut” and “être” work together with the hyphen to form this single expression. It is useful when presenting a possible explanation or solution without claiming certainty.

Essaie In “Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant”, “Essaie” means “try” and gives direct advice to the person addressed as “tu”. It is a form of essayer. The pattern “Essaie de + infinitive” is useful when suggesting an action for someone to attempt.

d'appeler In “Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire”, “d'appeler” means “to call”. The initial “d'” is the shortened form of “de” before “appeler”, and the phrase follows “Essaie”. The pattern “essayer de + infinitive” is useful when suggesting that someone attempt an action.

ton In “ton propriétaire”, “ton” means “your” and refers to the person being addressed with “tu”. It comes before “propriétaire” to identify that person’s landlord. The pattern “ton + noun” is useful when referring to something connected with the person you are addressing.

maintenant In “appeler ton propriétaire maintenant”, “maintenant” means “now” and specifies that the call should happen at this time. It adds urgency to the suggestion. It is useful when asking someone to do an action immediately.

Est-ce que “Est-ce que” is the question marker in “Est-ce que je peux attendre à l'intérieur...?”, introducing a yes-or-no question. “Est”, “ce”, and “que” work together here as one fixed question opening rather than carrying separate meanings. The pattern “Est-ce que + sentence?” is useful for asking a direct question politely.

attendre In “je peux attendre à l'intérieur”, “attendre” means “to wait”. It is the action the speaker asks permission to do indoors. A common reuse pattern is “pouvoir + attendre” when asking whether waiting is possible.

à In “à l'intérieur”, “à” helps form the location expression meaning “inside”. It links the action of waiting with the place where it will happen. The expression “à l'intérieur” is useful when specifying that someone is indoors.

l'intérieur In “attendre à l'intérieur”, “l'intérieur” means “the inside”, and with “à” the whole expression means “inside”. It identifies the place where the speaker wants to wait. “À l'intérieur” is useful when contrasting an indoor location with being outside.

pendant In “pendant que je téléphone”, “pendant” contributes to the expression meaning “while”. It connects the waiting period with the simultaneous action of making the call. The reusable pattern is “pendant que + clause” for two actions happening at the same time.

que In “pendant que je téléphone”, “que” completes the linking expression “pendant que”. Together they introduce the action that happens during the waiting. The pattern “pendant que + subject + verb” is useful for describing simultaneous actions.

téléphone In “je téléphone”, “téléphone” means “make a phone call” or “call”, not the object “phone”. It is a form of téléphoner and names the action taking place while the speaker waits. A common reuse pattern is “téléphoner à + person” when saying whom someone calls.

Entre In “Entre et reste un moment”, “Entre” means “come in” and is a direct invitation to enter the home. It is a form of entrer used to address the other person. This form is useful when inviting someone who is standing outside to enter.

et In “Entre et reste un moment”, “et” means “and” and joins the invitation to come in with the suggestion to stay. It connects two actions in the same instruction. The pattern “action 1 et action 2” is useful for linking related requests or instructions.

reste In “reste un moment”, “reste” means “stay”. It is a form of rester used as an instruction to the person who has come inside. The pattern “reste + duration” is useful when asking someone not to leave immediately.

moment In “un moment”, “moment” means “a while” or “a short period of time”. The article “un” makes it an unspecified duration rather than a precisely measured one. “Reste un moment” is useful when inviting someone to stay briefly.

Il In “Il fait froid dehors”, “Il” is the subject used in the weather expression and does not refer to a person. Together with “fait froid”, it states the weather outside. The pattern “Il fait + weather description” is useful for talking about current weather.

fait In “Il fait froid dehors”, “fait” is part of the weather expression meaning “it is”. It does not mean “makes” on its own in this sentence. The form is related to faire, and “Il fait + adjective” is useful for describing the weather.

froid In “Il fait froid”, “froid” means “cold” and describes the weather. It explains why the person should come indoors rather than remain outside. The expression “Il fait froid” is useful when warning someone about cold weather.

dehors In “Il fait froid dehors”, “dehors” means “outside” and locates the cold weather outdoors. It contrasts with the inside where the person is invited to wait. It is useful for indicating that someone or something is outdoors.

vais In “Je vais expliquer”, “vais” helps express what the speaker is going to do next. It is a form of aller used before the infinitive “expliquer”. The reusable pattern “aller + infinitive” is useful for talking about a planned or imminent action.

expliquer In “Je vais expliquer ce qui s'est passé”, “expliquer” means “to explain”. It is the action the speaker plans to take when speaking to the landlord. The pattern “expliquer + information” is useful when clarifying an event or situation.

ce In “ce qui s'est passé”, “ce” introduces the thing or event that the speaker will explain. It works together with “qui” to express “what” in this sentence, rather than carrying the whole meaning alone. The pattern “ce qui + verb” is useful for referring to what happened or what is taking place.

qui In “ce qui s'est passé”, “qui” links “ce” with the event described by “s'est passé”. Together, “ce qui s'est passé” means “what happened”. The pattern “ce qui + verb” is useful when referring to an action or event as a whole.

s'est In “ce qui s'est passé”, “s'est” works with “passé” to express that an event happened. It is part of the expression “s'est passé” and should not be translated alone as simply “has”. The pattern “ce qui s'est passé” is useful when explaining a previous event.

passé In “ce qui s'est passé”, “passé” completes “s'est” to express “happened”. It is the form used in the construction se passer for an event that occurred. The expression “ce qui s'est passé” is useful when telling someone what happened.

me In “me renseigner sur la clé”, “me” refers to the speaker as the person who will find out information. It works with “renseigner” in the expression “me renseigner”, rather than meaning the complete idea by itself. The pattern “se renseigner sur + topic” is useful when saying that someone will inquire about something.

renseigner In “me renseigner sur la clé”, “renseigner” is part of the expression meaning “find out” or “make inquiries”. With “me”, it forms the first-person version of se renseigner. The pattern “se renseigner sur + topic” is useful when seeking information about a specific subject.

sur In “me renseigner sur la clé”, “sur” introduces the topic of the inquiry. It connects the act of finding out information with “la clé”. The pattern “se renseigner sur + topic” is useful for saying what someone wants information about.

la In “la clé”, “la” means “the” and introduces the specific key already being discussed. It comes directly before “clé”. The pattern “la + noun” is useful when referring to a known or identified item.

clé In “la clé”, “clé” means “key”, specifically the key being discussed in the situation. It is the topic of the speaker’s inquiry to the landlord. The expression “la clé” is useful when referring to a particular key known from the conversation.

Dis In “Dis-moi si tu as besoin de quelque chose”, “Dis” means “tell” and directly asks the other person to provide information. It is a form of dire used as an instruction to “tu”. The pattern “Dis-moi + information” is useful when asking someone to tell you something.

moi In “Dis-moi”, “moi” identifies the person who should receive the information: “me”. Together with “Dis”, it forms the expression “tell me”. The pattern “Dis-moi si + clause” is useful when inviting someone to report a situation.

si In “Dis-moi si tu as besoin de quelque chose”, “si” means “if” and introduces the condition being discussed. It connects the request to the possibility that the person needs something. The pattern “Dis-moi si + clause” is useful when asking someone to let you know whether something is true.

besoin In “tu as besoin de quelque chose”, “besoin” is the noun used in the expression meaning “need”. The complete construction is “avoir besoin de”, so “besoin” alone is not the whole verb meaning. The pattern “avoir besoin de + thing” is useful when saying that someone needs something.

de In “avoir besoin de quelque chose”, “de” links “besoin” with the thing that is needed. It is an essential part of the construction “avoir besoin de”. This pattern is useful before a noun or expression naming what someone needs.

chose In “quelque chose”, “chose” means “thing”, while the complete expression means “something”. It refers here to any item or help the waiting person might need. The pattern “avoir besoin de quelque chose” is useful when referring to an unspecified need.

attends In “pendant que tu attends”, “attends” means “wait” and describes the other person’s waiting period. It is a form of attendre used with “tu”. The expression “pendant que tu attends” is useful when offering help or describing what happens while someone waits.

Grammar Points

L’impératif affirmatif

Entre, reste un moment.

AHN-truh, rest uhn moh-MAHN.

Come in, stay a while.

The imperative gives a direct instruction. Subject pronouns are omitted: entre and reste mean “come in” and “stay.”

Le verbe pronominal au passé composé : s’est passé

Dis-moi ce qui s’est passé.

DEE-MWAH suh kee say pah-SAY.

Tell me what happened.

Se passer means “to happen.” In the past, it uses être: s’est passé.

French Vocabulary

à l'intérieur adv

ah lahn-tay-ree-UHR inside

attendre à l'intérieur

appartement noun

ah-pahr-tuh-MAHN apartment

mon appartement

appeler verb

ahp-LAY to call

Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant.

attendre verb

ah-TAHNDR to wait

je peux attendre à l'intérieur

double noun

DOOBL spare key

Tu as un double quelque part ?

entrer verb

ahn-TRAY to enter

Je ne peux plus entrer dans mon appartement.

essayer verb

eh-SAY-yay to try Essaie

Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant.

maintenant adv

mahn-tuh-NAHN now

Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant.

peut-être adv

puh-TETR perhaps; maybe

mon propriétaire en a peut-être un

pouvoir verb

poo-VWAHR can; to be able to peux

Est-ce que je peux attendre à l'intérieur ?

propriétaire noun

proh-pree-uh-TAIR landlord

mon propriétaire

quelque part adv

kelk PAHR somewhere

Tu as un double quelque part ?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Try calling them now.

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Essaie d'appeler ton propriétaire maintenant.

Come in for a while.

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Entre et reste un moment.

It is cold out there.

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Il fait froid dehors.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to try

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Essaie

landlord

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propriétaire

apartment

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appartement

spare key

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double