Safe travel on a snowy morning | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: On a snowy morning, two adults discuss icy sidewalks, safer shoes, and possible bus delays before leaving..

EN → FR / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Safe travel on a snowy morning to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Il a beaucoup neigé pendant la nuit.

eel ah boh-KOO nay-ZHAY pahn-DAHN lah NWEE It snowed a lot during the night.
B

Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés ce matin.

lay troh-TWAHR suh-ROHN puh-TETR vair-glah-SAY suh mah-TAN The sidewalks may be icy this morning.
A

Alors, je devrais mettre des bottes qui accrochent mieux.

ah-LOR zhuh duh-VRAY MEHTR day BOT kee ah-KROSH MYUH Then I should wear boots with better grip.
B

Tu devrais aussi marcher avec plus de prudence que d'habitude.

tew duh-VRAY oh-SEE mar-SHAY ah-VEK ploo duh proo-DAHNS kuh dah-bee-TEWD You should also walk more carefully than usual.
A

Tu penses que les bus auront du retard ?

tew PAHNSS kuh lay byoos oh-ROHN dew ruh-TAR Do you think buses will be delayed?
B

Probablement, parce que la circulation est lente quand il neige.

proh-bah-bluh-MAHN, parss kuh lah seer-kyoo-lah-SYON ay LAHNT kahn-teel NEHZH Probably, because traffic moves slowly in snow.
A

Laisse-moi vérifier l'application de transport avant de partir.

less-MWAH vay-ree-fee-AY lah-plee-kah-SYON duh trans-POR ah-VAHN duh par-TEER Let me check the transport app before leaving.
B

Cela pourrait te faire gagner du temps.

suh-LAH poo-RAY tuh fair gah-NYAY dew TAHN That may save you time.

Word by Word

Il In “Il a beaucoup neigé”, “Il” is the weather subject, meaning “it” in the weather statement. It is used before a weather verb when describing conditions. This form helps report what happened during the night.
a In “Il a beaucoup neigé”, “a” helps form the completed past event “snowed”. Its citation form is avoir, and “a” is the form used here with the weather subject “Il”. The pattern “a” + a past-participle form reports a completed event.
beaucoup In “Il a beaucoup neigé”, “beaucoup” means “a lot” and shows the amount of snow. It is placed with the verb phrase to describe a large quantity. Use it when reporting that something happened to a great extent.
neigé In “Il a beaucoup neigé”, “neigé” means “snowed”. Its citation form is neiger, and “neigé” is the past-participle form used with “a” for the completed event. This form is useful when reporting snowfall that has already happened.
pendant In “pendant la nuit”, “pendant” means “during” and introduces the period when the snow fell. It is commonly followed by a time period. Use it to place an event within a particular period.
la In “pendant la nuit”, “la” is the definite article introducing the specific time period “nuit”. It belongs directly before the noun in this time expression. Use it when referring to that identified night.
nuit In “pendant la nuit”, “nuit” means “night”. Together with “la”, it identifies the period during which it snowed. The expression “la nuit” is useful for describing when an event happened.
Les In “Les trottoirs”, “Les” means “the” and introduces the plural noun referring to the sidewalks. It is used before a plural noun. Use “Les” when talking about identified plural things.
trottoirs In “Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés”, “trottoirs” means “sidewalks”. The word refers to the walking surfaces that may be covered with ice. It is useful when discussing walking conditions in a town or city.
seront In “Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés”, “seront” means “will be” and describes a possible future condition of the sidewalks. Its citation form is être, and “seront” is the future form used with “Les trottoirs”. The pattern “seront” followed by a descriptive word is useful for predicting a condition.
peut-être In “seront peut-être verglacés”, “peut-être” means “maybe” or “perhaps” and marks the prediction as uncertain. The parts “peut” and “être” work together in this fixed expression: “peut” contributes possibility and “être” contributes the idea of being. Use “peut-être” before or around a statement when you do not know whether it is certain.
verglacés In “Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés”, “verglacés” describes the sidewalks as icy or covered with ice. Its citation form is verglacé, and this dialogue form describes the plural subject “Les trottoirs”. It is useful when warning that a surface may be slippery.
ce In “ce matin”, “ce” means “this” and points to the morning of the current day. It comes directly before “matin” in this time expression. Use it to identify the morning connected with the present situation.
matin In “ce matin”, “matin” means “morning”. The full expression identifies when the sidewalks may be icy. It is useful for specifying that something is happening during the morning.
Alors At the start of “Alors, je devrais mettre des bottes”, “Alors” means “then” or “in that case”. It introduces a decision that follows from the possible icy sidewalks. Use it when drawing a practical conclusion from what was just said.
je In “je devrais mettre des bottes”, “je” means “I” and is the subject of the recommendation. It is placed before the verb form “devrais”. Use it to state what the speaker should or plans to do.
devrais In “je devrais mettre des bottes”, “devrais” expresses what the speaker should do. Its citation form is devoir, and this form is used with “je” to give advice or describe a sensible choice. The pattern “devrais” + an infinitive is useful for personal recommendations.
mettre In “mettre des bottes”, “mettre” means “put on” or “wear” in the context of clothing. It is the infinitive following “devrais”. Use “mettre” with an item of clothing when deciding what to put on before going out.
des In “des bottes”, “des” introduces the plural noun “bottes” without identifying a particular pair. It is placed directly before a plural noun. Use it when referring to plural items in a general way.
bottes In “mettre des bottes”, “bottes” means “boots”. The boots are recommended because they have better grip in icy conditions. Use this word when talking about footwear for wet, snowy, or cold weather.
qui In “des bottes qui accrochent mieux”, “qui” means “that” or “which” and introduces the clause describing the boots. It is the subject of “accrochent” inside that clause. The pattern noun + “qui” + verb lets you add information about a noun.
accrochent In “des bottes qui accrochent mieux”, “accrochent” means that the boots grip or hold firmly on the ground. Its citation form is accrocher, and this dialogue form is used with the boots as the subject. It is useful for describing footwear or surfaces that provide good traction.
mieux In “qui accrochent mieux”, “mieux” means “better” and compares the grip of these boots with another option. It modifies the idea expressed by “accrochent”. Use it after a verb when describing an improved result or performance.
Tu In “Tu devrais aussi marcher”, “Tu” means “you” and addresses one person informally. It is the subject of “devrais”. Use it when giving advice directly to one familiar person.
aussi In “Tu devrais aussi marcher”, “aussi” means “also” and adds walking carefully to the earlier recommendation about wearing boots. It appears after the verb form “devrais” here. Use it when adding another action or point to what has already been mentioned.
marcher In “devrais aussi marcher”, “marcher” means “walk”. It is an infinitive following “devrais” and names the recommended action. Use the pattern “devrais” + “marcher” when advising someone how to move.
avec In “marcher avec plus de prudence”, “avec” means “with” and introduces the manner in which the person should walk. It links the action to the noun phrase “plus de prudence”. Use it before a noun phrase that describes how an action is carried out.
plus In “avec plus de prudence”, “plus” means “more” and increases the amount of caution. It is followed by “de” and the noun “prudence”. Use “plus” in a comparison or when asking for a greater degree of something.
de In “plus de prudence”, “de” links “plus” to the noun whose amount is being increased. The phrase means “more caution” in the advice about walking. This form is commonly used after “plus” before a noun.
prudence In “avec plus de prudence”, “prudence” means “caution” or “care”. It describes the careful manner recommended for walking on icy sidewalks. Use it with “avec” when describing a cautious way of acting.
que In “plus de prudence que d'habitude”, “que” means “than” and introduces the point of comparison. It connects the greater caution with the usual level of caution. Use it after a comparative expression such as “plus” when comparing two situations.
d'habitude In “plus de prudence que d'habitude”, “d'habitude” means “as usual” or “normally”. It identifies the person’s ordinary level of caution as the comparison point. Use it when comparing what is happening now with a usual routine.
penses In “Tu penses que les bus auront du retard ?”, “penses” means “think” and asks for the other person’s opinion. Its citation form is penser, and this form is used with “Tu”. The pattern “penses que” introduces the idea or prediction being asked about.
bus In “les bus auront du retard”, “bus” refers to the buses whose schedules may be affected by the snow. The word appears with “les” in the plural phrase “les bus”. Use it when discussing bus services or bus travel.
auront In “les bus auront du retard”, “auront” means “will have” and predicts a delay. Its citation form is avoir, and this future form is used with “les bus”. The exact phrase “auront du retard” describes a future transport delay.
du In “auront du retard”, “du” is part of the expression used to describe having a delay. It links “auront” to “retard” in this phrase rather than carrying the whole meaning by itself. Reuse the exact pattern “auront du retard” when predicting that transport will be delayed.
retard In “auront du retard”, “retard” means “delay”. Together with “auront”, it describes buses arriving or operating later than expected. Use this expression when discussing delayed transport or schedules.
Probablement At the start of “Probablement, parce que la circulation est lente”, “Probablement” means “probably”. It gives a likely answer without presenting it as certain. Use it when making a prediction based on the available situation.
parce que In “parce que la circulation est lente”, “parce que” means “because” and introduces the reason for the expected bus delay. “Parce” supplies the reason-linking part and “que” completes the connector before the reason clause. Use the complete expression “parce que” before an explanation or cause.
circulation In “la circulation est lente”, “circulation” means “traffic”. It refers to the movement of vehicles that becomes slow in snowy conditions. Use it when describing road traffic and its speed.
est In “la circulation est lente”, “est” means “is” and links the traffic to its description. Its citation form is être, and this form is used with “la circulation”. The pattern “est” + a descriptive word is useful for stating a current condition.
lente In “la circulation est lente”, “lente” means “slow” and describes the traffic. Its citation form is lent, and this dialogue form is used with “la circulation”. Use it when reporting that traffic is moving slowly.
quand In “quand il neige”, “quand” means “when” and introduces the condition or time connected with the slow traffic. It is followed by a clause. Use it to relate one situation to another recurring or possible situation.
neige In “quand il neige”, “neige” means “snows” or “is snowing”. Its citation form is neiger, and this form is used in the weather clause with “il”. Use it when describing snow as the condition affecting traffic.
Laisse In “Laisse-moi vérifier”, “Laisse” asks the other person to allow the speaker to do something. Its citation form is laisser, and this dialogue form is the command used in the expression “Laisse-moi”. Use “Laisse-moi” before an infinitive when asking to carry out an action.
moi In “Laisse-moi vérifier”, “moi” means “me” and identifies the person who will perform “vérifier”. It follows “Laisse” with a hyphen in this request. Use the exact construction “Laisse-moi” when asking someone to let you do something.
vérifier In “Laisse-moi vérifier l'application”, “vérifier” means “check”. It is the infinitive naming the action the speaker wants to perform. Use it before the thing being checked, such as “l'application” here.
l'application In “vérifier l'application de transport”, “l'application” means “the application” or “the app”. It refers to the specific transport app that can provide useful travel information. Use it as the object after “vérifier” when checking an app.
transport In “l'application de transport”, “transport” identifies the app as being related to transportation. It specifies the type or purpose of the application. Use it in this phrase when referring to an app for travel or public transport information.
avant In “avant de partir”, “avant” means “before” and places the checking action earlier than leaving. With “de” and an infinitive, it introduces an action that has not yet happened. Use the exact pattern “avant de partir” to say “before leaving”.
partir In “avant de partir”, “partir” means “leave”. It is the infinitive after “avant de” and names the later action. Use it when describing the moment someone leaves a place.
Cela In “Cela pourrait te faire gagner du temps”, “Cela” means “that” or “this” and refers to checking the transport app. It is the subject of the possible result. Use it to refer back to an action or situation just mentioned.
pourrait In “Cela pourrait te faire gagner du temps”, “pourrait” means “could” or “might” and presents the benefit as possible rather than certain. Its citation form is pouvoir, and this conditional form is used with “Cela”. The pattern “pourrait” followed by an infinitive is useful for describing a possible result.
te In “te faire gagner du temps”, “te” means “you” and identifies the person who may benefit from the time saved. It appears before “faire” in this construction. Use it when addressing one person informally as the recipient of an action or benefit.
faire In “te faire gagner du temps”, “faire” contributes the idea of causing a result: the app check may cause you to save time. It is followed by “gagner” in this causative expression. The exact phrase “faire gagner du temps” is used when an action helps someone save time.
gagner In “faire gagner du temps”, “gagner” means “gain” and, in this expression, “save” time. It follows “faire” and describes the benefit produced by checking the app. Use the exact phrase “gagner du temps” when an action makes an activity take less time.
temps In “gagner du temps”, “temps” means “time”. Together with “gagner”, it forms the expression meaning “save time”. Use it when describing a useful action that reduces the time needed for travel or another activity.

Grammar Points

devoir au conditionnel + infinitif : tu devrais + infinitif

Tu devrais mettre des bottes.

tew duh-VRAY MEHTR day BOT

You should put on boots.

« Devrais » est le conditionnel de « devoir » et sert à donner un conseil de façon moins directe.

avant de + infinitif

Vérifier l'application avant de partir.

vay-ree-fee-AY lah-plee-kah-SYON ah-VAHN duh par-TEER

Check the app before leaving.

Après « avant de », on utilise l'infinitif lorsque le sujet de l'action reste le même.

French Vocabulary

accrocher verb
ah-KROH-SHAY to grip accrochent

des bottes qui accrochent mieux

alors adv
ah-LOR then

Alors, je devrais mettre des bottes...

beaucoup adv
boh-KOO a lot

Il a beaucoup neigé pendant la nuit.

botte noun
BOT boot bottes

mettre des bottes

ce matin phrase
suh mah-TAN this morning

ce matin

devoir verb
duh-VWAHR should; to have to devrais

je devrais mettre des bottes

mettre verb
MEHTR to put on; to wear

je devrais mettre des bottes

neiger verb
nay-ZHAY to snow neigé

Il a beaucoup neigé pendant la nuit.

nuit noun
NWEE night

pendant la nuit

pendant prep
pahn-DAHN during

pendant la nuit

trottoir noun
troh-TWAHR sidewalk trottoirs

Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés ce matin.

verglacé adj
vair-glah-SAY icy verglacés

Les trottoirs seront peut-être verglacés ce matin.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

should; to have to

Show Answerdevrais

night

Show Answernuit

to snow

Show Answerneigé

during

Show Answerpendant