Politely discussing a disappointing restaurant dish | Learn French in English

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Use Politely discussing a disappointing restaurant dish to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Excusez-moi, pourrais-je vous poser une question sur le poisson ? Il est un peu sec.

ek-skew-ZAY MWAH, poo-REH ZHUH voo poh-ZAY oon kes-TYOHN sewr luh pwah-SON? eel ay uhn puh SEHK. Excuse me, could I ask about the fish? It is a bit dry.

Je suis désolé pour cela. Je vais vérifier avec la cuisine.

zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY poor suh-LAH. zhuh vay veh-ree-fee-AY ah-VEK lah kwee-ZEEN. I'm sorry about that. I'll check with the kitchen.

Le goût est bon, mais la texture n'est pas celle à laquelle je m'attendais.

luh GOO ay bohn, meh lah teks-TEWR nay pah SELL ah lah-KELL zhuh mah-tahn-DAY. The flavor is nice, but the texture is not what I expected.

Un peu de sauce à côté pourrait aider.

uhn puh duh SOHS ah koh-TAY poo-REH EH-DAY. A little sauce on the side might help.

Voulez-vous que je vous en apporte ?

voo-LAY VOO kuh zhuh voo zahn ahn ah-PORT? Would you like me to bring some?

Cela aiderait, à condition qu'elle ne soit pas trop lourde.

suh-LAH eh-dreh, ah kohn-dee-SYOHN kell nuh swah pah troh LOORD. That would help, as long as it is not too heavy.

Je peux apporter une petite coupelle de sauce et en informer la cuisine.

zhuh puh ah-por-TAY oon puh-TEET koo-PELL duh SOHS ay ahn an-for-MAY lah kwee-ZEEN. I can bring a small dish of sauce and let the kitchen know.

Je voulais le signaler avant de manger davantage de poisson.

zhuh voo-LAY luh seen-yah-LAY ah-VAHN duh mahn-ZHAY dah-vahn-TAHZH duh pwah-SON. I wanted to mention it before I ate more of it.

Dites-moi, s'il vous plaît, si le poisson est toujours sec après avoir goûté la sauce.

DEET-mwah, seel voo PLEH, see luh pwah-SON ay too-ZHOOR SEHK ah-PREH ah-VWAHR goo-TAY lah SOHS. Please tell me if it is still dry after you try the sauce.

Nous pouvons trouver une autre solution.

noo poo-VOHN troo-VAY oon OH-truh soh-loo-SYOHN. We can find another solution.

Word by Word

Excusez-moi “Excusez-moi” is a polite way to get someone’s attention before speaking. “Excusez” addresses vous, and “moi” means me. Use it before a polite request or question to a stranger or service worker.

pourrais-je “pourrais-je” means could I in this polite question. The inverted order makes the request sound courteous. It is reusable before an action the speaker is asking permission to do.

vous “vous” means you here when addressing the other person politely. It is the person who would receive the question or action. Use it for one person in a formal situation or for several people.

poser “poser” means ask in “poser une question,” literally using the verb associated with putting a question forward. It is followed here by the object “une question.” Use it in the common pattern of asking someone a question.

une “une” means a or one before the feminine noun “question.” It marks one unspecified question. Use it before a feminine singular noun when introducing one item.

question “question” means question here, the thing the speaker wants to ask about the fish. It follows “poser” in “poser une question.” Use it for a request for information or clarification.

sur “sur” means about here and introduces the subject of the question. It connects the question with “le poisson.” Use it before a topic when asking or speaking about something.

le “le” means the before “poisson.” It identifies a specific masculine singular noun, namely the fish being served. Use it before a known masculine singular noun.

poisson “poisson” means fish here, referring to the dish the customer is eating. In the dialogue, it is also referred to by “Il.” Use it when naming fish as food or as an animal.

Il “Il” means it here and refers back to “le poisson.” It is the subject of the statement about the fish being dry. Use it to refer back to a masculine singular noun when describing it.

est “est” means is here and states the condition of the fish. It connects “Il” with the description “un peu sec.” Use it to describe a current state or quality.

un “un” is part of “un peu,” meaning a little in this sentence. It introduces the small quantity expressed by “peu.” Use “un peu de” before a noun when describing a small amount.

peu “peu” means little or a small amount in “un peu sec,” where it softens the description to a bit dry. Here it modifies the degree of “sec.” Use “un peu” to make a description less strong.

sec “sec” means dry here and describes the fish. Its masculine singular form agrees with “poisson.” Use it to describe food that lacks moisture.

Je “Je” means I and is the subject of the server’s statements. It introduces what the speaker is sorry about and what the speaker will do. Use it before a verb when speaking about yourself.

suis “suis” means am in “Je suis désolé.” It describes the speaker’s state or response. Use it after “Je” when expressing what you are or how you are.

désolé “désolé” means sorry here and expresses an apology for the disappointing dish. It follows “Je suis.” Use it when acknowledging a problem or expressing regret.

pour “pour” means for in “désolé pour cela,” introducing what the apology concerns. Here it points to the situation mentioned by “cela.” Use it after an apology when naming the cause or subject of regret.

cela “cela” means that or it and refers to the situation of the fish being dry. In “pour cela,” it avoids repeating the whole problem. Use it to point back to a situation already understood.

vais “vais” means am going to in “Je vais vérifier.” It shows the speaker’s planned next action. Use it with an infinitive to say what you are going to do.

vérifier “vérifier” means check here, specifically checking the matter with the kitchen. It follows “vais” as the action being planned. Use it when confirming information or investigating a problem.

avec “avec” means with and introduces the kitchen as the group the server will consult. It shows who will be involved in the checking. Use it before a person or group you act together with or consult.

la “la” means the before “cuisine.” It identifies a specific feminine singular noun. Use it before a known feminine singular noun.

cuisine “cuisine” means kitchen here, referring to the restaurant kitchen that can check the dish. It follows “avec la.” Use it when talking about the kitchen area or the kitchen operation in a restaurant.

goût “goût” means flavor or taste here, referring to the pleasant flavor of the dish. It is the subject of “Le goût est bon.” Use it when evaluating how food tastes.

bon “bon” means good or nice here and describes the flavor. Its masculine singular form agrees with “goût.” Use it to give a positive evaluation of food or another masculine singular noun.

mais “mais” means but and introduces a contrast between the good flavor and the unexpected texture. It links two contrasting observations. Use it to acknowledge one point before presenting a different or opposing point.

texture “texture” means texture here, referring to how the food feels when eaten. It is compared with what the speaker expected. Use it when describing the physical quality of food.

n'est “n’est” means is not as part of “n’est pas.” It negates the statement about the texture. Use it with “pas” around the verb when saying that something is not a particular way.

pas “pas” completes the negative expression “n’est pas,” meaning is not. It gives the negative force together with “n’est.” Use it with “ne” or its contracted form to negate a verb.

celle “celle” means the one here and refers back to the feminine noun “texture.” It allows the speaker to avoid repeating that noun before the relative clause. Use it to refer back to a feminine singular thing already mentioned.

à “à” introduces the relation in “à laquelle je m’attendais,” connecting the expected texture with the speaker’s expectation. It is required by the expression for expecting something. Use it before the thing connected to that expectation.

laquelle “laquelle” means which one here and refers to the feminine noun “texture.” Together with “à,” it introduces the thing the speaker expected. Use it as a feminine singular relative form when referring back to a stated thing.

m'attendais “m’attendais” expresses that the speaker expected something, namely the texture described before it. The “m’” refers to the speaker, and the form is used with the relation introduced by “à.” Use the expression for describing an expectation that was not met.

sauce “sauce” means sauce here, the additional food requested on the side. It is also the thing the server offers to bring. Use it when naming a sauce served with a dish.

côté “côté” means side in “à côté,” giving the idea that the sauce is served separately from the main dish. It contributes the location or serving arrangement. Use it in expressions describing something placed beside or separately from another thing.

pourrait “pourrait” means might or could here and presents the sauce as a possible help. It makes the suggestion less direct and more tentative. Use it before an infinitive when suggesting a possible effect or solution.

aider “aider” means help here, referring to the sauce improving the eating experience. It follows “pourrait.” Use it after a modal expression when describing an action that may be useful.

Voulez-vous “Voulez-vous” means would you like here and politely offers to bring sauce. The inverted question directly addresses the customer with vous. Use it to make a polite offer or ask about someone’s preference.

que “que” introduces the clause describing what the speaker offers to do after “Voulez-vous.” It connects the offer with “je vous en apporte.” Use it to introduce a clause after an expression of wanting or requesting an action.

en “en” means some or of it here and replaces the previously mentioned sauce in “en apporte.” It prevents repeating “sauce.” Use it when referring back to an amount or an item already mentioned.

apporte “apporte” means bring here, referring to bringing some sauce to the customer. In the offer, the object is represented by “en.” Use it for bringing an item to someone, especially in a service situation.

aiderait “aiderait” means would help here and describes the possible benefit of receiving the sauce. It presents the result politely and hypothetically. Use it when saying that an action or item would be useful.

condition “condition” means condition in “à condition que,” the requirement attached to accepting the sauce. The whole expression means as long as or provided that. Use it to state a requirement that must be satisfied.

qu'elle “qu’elle” means that it here and introduces the condition about the sauce. “Elle” refers to the feminine noun “sauce,” while “qu’” introduces the clause. Use it to connect a condition involving a feminine singular thing already mentioned.

ne “ne” is the first part of the negative expression “ne soit pas.” It helps say that the sauce must not be too heavy. Use it with “pas” to negate the verb in a clause.

soit “soit” expresses the sauce’s state in the condition “qu’elle ne soit pas trop lourde.” Together with “ne” and “pas,” it means is not in this clause. Use it after a condition introduced by “à condition que” when describing the required state.

trop “trop” means too here and says that the sauce should not exceed the desired degree of heaviness. It modifies “lourde.” Use it before an adjective when something has an excessive degree of a quality.

lourde “lourde” means heavy here and describes the sauce. Its feminine singular form agrees with “sauce.” Use it when describing a sauce or dish that feels rich or heavy.

peux “peux” means can here and expresses the server’s ability to bring the sauce and inform the kitchen. It is followed by the infinitive “apporter.” Use it before an infinitive to state what you are able or willing to do.

petite “petite” means small here and describes the size of the coupelle. Its feminine singular form agrees with “coupelle.” Use it before a feminine singular noun when describing a small item.

coupelle “coupelle” means a small dish or bowl here, the container for the sauce. It is modified by “petite.” Use it when naming a small serving dish or container.

et “et” means and and links the two actions “apporter” and “informer.” It shows that the server will do both actions. Use it to join words, phrases, or actions of equal importance.

informer “informer” means inform or let know here, referring to telling the kitchen about the issue. It appears in “en informer la cuisine,” with the kitchen as the person or group receiving the information. Use it when communicating information to another person or group.

voulais “voulais” means wanted here and introduces the customer’s reason for mentioning the problem. It is followed by the action “signaler.” Use it before an infinitive to describe what you wanted to do.

signaler “signaler” means mention or point out here, referring to bringing the problem to the server’s attention. In “le signaler,” “le” refers to the issue already discussed. Use it when drawing attention to a problem or fact.

avant “avant” means before and introduces the action that should happen earlier. In “avant de manger,” it is followed by an infinitive. Use it to order two actions in time.

de “de” follows “avant” before the infinitive “manger,” forming the expression for before eating. It introduces the action that is being placed later in the sequence. Use it after “avant” when the following action has an infinitive form.

manger “manger” means eat here and refers to eating more of the fish. It follows “avant de.” Use it as an infinitive after expressions that describe when or why an action happens.

davantage “davantage” means more here and refers to eating a greater amount of fish. It appears before “de poisson” to specify the quantity. Use it with “de” and a noun when talking about a larger amount.

Dites-moi “Dites-moi” means tell me here and is a polite request to the customer. “Dites” addresses vous, and “moi” means me. Use it when asking someone politely to provide information.

s'il vous plaît “s’il vous plaît” means please as a polite formula. “S’il” combines si and il, “vous” means you, and “plaît” means pleases, so the whole expression asks politely. Use it with a request, especially when speaking formally or to more than one person.

si “si” means if here and introduces the condition about whether the fish remains dry. It connects the requested information with a possible result after tasting the sauce. Use it to introduce a condition or an indirect yes-or-no question.

toujours “toujours” means still here, referring to a condition that may continue after the sauce is tried. It modifies “sec.” Use it when asking whether a state remains unchanged.

après “après” means after and places tasting the sauce before the later evaluation of the fish. Here it is followed by “avoir goûté.” Use it to describe an action that happens later than another action.

avoir “avoir” means to have here as part of “avoir goûté,” which refers to the tasting having taken place before the next assessment. It is used with “goûté” in this time expression. Use it before a past participle when referring to a completed earlier action.

goûté “goûté” means tasted here and refers to tasting the sauce. It follows “avoir” in “avoir goûté la sauce.” Use it when describing the experience of tasting a food or drink.

Nous “Nous” means we and refers to the restaurant staff speaking collectively. It is the subject of the offer to find another solution. Use it when speaking about yourself together with one or more other people.

pouvons “pouvons” means can here and expresses the restaurant’s ability to find another solution. It is followed by the infinitive “trouver.” Use it with nous before an infinitive to describe what we are able to do.

trouver “trouver” means find here and refers to finding a different way to resolve the problem. It follows “pouvons.” Use it before a direct object when looking for or identifying a solution or item.

autre “autre” means another here and distinguishes the proposed solution from the first one. It modifies “solution.” Use it before a singular noun when referring to a different option.

solution “solution” means solution here, referring to another possible way to address the disappointing dish. It follows “une autre.” Use it when naming a way to resolve a problem.

Grammar Points

avant de + infinitif

avant de signaler

ah-VAHN duh seen-yah-LAY

before mentioning or reporting

Use avant de followed by an infinitive when the subject remains the same in both actions.

après avoir + participe passé

après avoir goûté

ah-PREH ah-VWAHR goo-TAY

after tasting

Use après avoir plus a past participle to express an earlier completed action.

French Vocabulary

à laquelle phrase

ah lah-KELL to which

celle pron

SELL the one

cuisine noun

kwee-ZEEN kitchen

désolé adj

day-zoh-LAY sorry

Excusez-moi phrase

ek-skew-ZAY MWAH Excuse me

goût noun

GOO flavor, taste

poisson noun

pwah-SON fish

poser une question phrase

poh-ZAY oon kes-TYOHN to ask a question

pourrais-je verb

poo-REH ZHUH could I

sec adj

SEHK dry

texture noun

teks-TEWR texture

vérifier verb

veh-ree-fee-AY to check

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

We can find another solution.

Show Answer

Nous pouvons trouver une autre solution.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to check

Show Answer

vérifier

kitchen

Show Answer

cuisine

fish

Show Answer

poisson

sorry

Show Answer

désolé