Comparing a Backpack Online and In Store | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a shop, two adults compare an online listing with an in-person backpack check before deciding which item feels reliable..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Comparing a Backpack Online and In Store to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La fiche en ligne est utile.

lah FEESH ahn LEEN-yuh eh tew-TEEL The online listing is helpful.
A

Mais je veux essayer le sac à dos en personne.

may zhuh vuh ess-ay-YAY luh sahk ah DOH ahn pair-SON But I want to try the backpack in person.
B

En magasin, tu peux vérifier de près les bretelles, la fermeture éclair et le matériau.

ahn mah-gah-ZAN, tew puh vay-ree-FYAY duh PRAY lay bruh-TEL, lah fair-muh-TEER ay-KLAIR ay luh mah-tay-ree-OH In the shop, you can check the straps, zipper, and material closely.
A

Plusieurs avis mentionnent des fermetures éclair fragiles, alors je veux tester cette partie avec soin.

pluh-ZYUR ah-VEE mahn-SYON day fair-muh-TEER ay-KLAIR frah-ZHEEL, ah-LOR zhuh vuh tes-TAY set par-TEE ah-VEK SWAN Several reviews mention weak zippers, so I want to test that part carefully.
B

Alors, essaie de l'ouvrir quelques fois.

ah-LOR, ess-AY duh loo-VREER kelk FWAH Then try opening it a few times.
B

Renseigne-toi sur la politique d'échange avant de décider.

rahn-SAYN twah sewr lah poh-lee-TEEK day-SHANZH ah-VAHN duh day-see-DAY Ask about the exchange policy before you decide.
A

Celui-ci semble plus solide, même si le site montre plus clairement les choix de couleurs.

seh-lwee-SEE sahmbl ploo soh-LEED, mem SEE luh SEET mohntr ploo klair-MAHN lay SHWAH duh koo-LUR The one here feels stronger, though the website shows the color options more clearly.
B

Utilise le site pour voir les options.

tew-tee-LEEZ luh SEET poor VWAHR layz-op-SYON Use the website for the options.
B

Profite de ta visite en magasin pour juger la qualité.

proh-FEET duh tah vee-ZEET ahn mah-gah-ZAN poor zhew-ZHAY lah kah-lee-TAY Use the shop visit to judge the quality.
A

Cela me donne une manière plus claire de les comparer.

seh-LAH muh DONN ün mah-NYAIR ploo KLAIR duh lay kohn-pah-RAY That gives me a clearer way to compare them.
B

Choisis celui qui semble fiable et qui a le style que tu veux.

shwah-ZEE seh-lwee kee sahmbl fee-AHBL ay kee ah luh STEEL kuh tew vuh Choose the one that feels reliable and still has the style you want.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La fiche en ligne” and marks a specific feminine singular noun here. A reusable pattern is “La + noun” for a specific item.
fiche “Fiche” means a listing or product sheet here, specifically the online product listing. It can be used with “fiche en ligne” when referring to a product page or listing.
en In “en ligne” and “En magasin”, “en” contributes to location or status expressions: “en ligne” means online, while “En magasin” means in the shop. These expressions are useful for contrasting online information with an in-person visit.
ligne “Ligne” completes the expression “en ligne”, which means online in this dialogue. Use “en ligne” to describe something available or shown on the internet.
est “Est” means “is” in “La fiche en ligne est utile”. It is a form of “être” used to connect the listing with the description “utile”.
utile “Utile” means helpful or useful here: the online listing provides useful information. It can follow “être”, as in “est utile”, to describe the usefulness of something.
Mais “Mais” means “but” and introduces a contrast between finding the listing useful and wanting to try the backpack in person. Use it to connect two contrasting statements.
je “Je” means “I” and is the subject of “je veux essayer”. It is used before a verb when the speaker describes their own intention or action.
veux “Veux” means “want” in “je veux essayer”. It is a form of “vouloir” followed here by an infinitive, so “je veux + infinitive” expresses what the speaker wants to do.
essayer “Essayer” means “to try” in “je veux essayer le sac à dos”. It is an infinitive after “je veux” and takes the item being tried as its object.
le “Le” means “the” in “le sac à dos” and introduces a specific masculine singular noun phrase. Use “le + noun” when referring to a specific item of this type.
sac à dos “Sac à dos” means backpack as a whole expression. “Sac” names the bag, “à” links the parts of the expression, and “dos” means back; together, “sac à dos” is the bag carried on the back.
en personne “En personne” means “in person” in “essayer le sac à dos en personne”. The whole expression describes doing something face to face or physically, with “en” and “personne” forming this fixed expression.
magasin “Magasin” means shop or store in “En magasin”. The expression “en magasin” is used when referring to a physical shop rather than an online listing.
tu “Tu” means “you” when speaking to one person in the dialogue. It is the subject in “tu peux vérifier” and is used before the verb describing what that person can do.
peux “Peux” means “can” in “tu peux vérifier”. It is a form of “pouvoir” followed by an infinitive, so “tu peux + infinitive” expresses ability or permission to do something.
vérifier “Vérifier” means “to check” in “tu peux vérifier de près les bretelles”. It is an infinitive after “peux” and is followed here by the things being checked.
de près “De près” means “closely” in “vérifier de près”. The words “de” and “près” form the expression together, which describes checking something at close range or with close attention.
les “Les” means “the” before the plural list “les bretelles, la fermeture éclair et le matériau”. It introduces specific plural items that are being checked.
bretelles “Bretelles” means the straps of the backpack in this dialogue. It is used here as one item in the list of parts to check: “les bretelles”.
fermeture éclair “Fermeture éclair” means zipper as a whole expression. “Fermeture” names a closure, while “éclair” is the fixed part that completes this compound term for a zipper.
et “Et” means “and” and joins the items in the list “les bretelles, la fermeture éclair et le matériau”. Use it to add one item to another.
matériau “Matériau” means material in the context of checking what the backpack is made from. It can be used after a product noun when discussing its construction or composition.
Plusieurs “Plusieurs” means “several” in “Plusieurs avis”. It indicates more than one review and is placed before the plural noun it describes.
avis “Avis” means reviews in “Plusieurs avis mentionnent...”, referring to product reviews. It can be used with “avis” to discuss what customers write about an item.
mentionnent “Mentionnent” means “mention” in “Plusieurs avis mentionnent des fermetures éclair fragiles”. It is a form of “mentionner” and is followed here by the thing that the reviews mention.
des “Des” means “some” in “des fermetures éclair fragiles” and introduces plural zippers without identifying particular ones. It is placed before the plural noun phrase being described.
fermetures éclair “Fermetures éclair” means zippers in the plural phrase “des fermetures éclair fragiles”. “Fermetures” indicates multiple closures, while “éclair” remains the fixed compound element in the term for zippers.
fragiles “Fragiles” means weak or fragile in “des fermetures éclair fragiles”. It describes the zippers as not sufficiently strong, which is why the speaker wants to test them.
alors “Alors” means “so” in “alors je veux tester” and connects the reviews with the speaker’s decision. In “Alors, essaie”, it means “then” and introduces the suggested next action.
tester “Tester” means “to test” in “je veux tester cette partie”. It is an infinitive after “je veux” and takes the part being examined as its object.
cette “Cette” means “this” in “cette partie” and points to the particular part under discussion, namely the zipper area. It is used directly before the noun it determines.
partie “Partie” means part or section in “cette partie”. Here it refers to the part of the backpack associated with the zippers, and it can be used after a determiner such as “cette”.
avec “Avec” means “with” in “avec soin”. In this expression, it introduces the care or attention used while testing the part.
soin “Soin” means care in “avec soin”, which means carefully. The reusable expression “avec soin” describes doing an action attentively and carefully.
essaie “Essaie” means “try” in the suggestion “essaie de l’ouvrir”. It is the direct form used to tell the person to attempt an action, followed here by “de” and an infinitive.
de In “essaie de l’ouvrir”, “de” connects “essaie” with the infinitive action “l’ouvrir”. The pattern “essayer de + infinitive” expresses trying to do something.
l'ouvrir “L’ouvrir” means “to open it” in “essaie de l’ouvrir”. “L’” represents the object being opened and “ouvrir” supplies the action; together they refer to opening the backpack or its zipper-related part.
quelques “Quelques” means “a few” in “quelques fois”. It indicates a small number and comes before the plural noun “fois”.
fois “Fois” means “times” in “quelques fois”. The expression “quelques fois” tells someone to repeat the action a few times.
Renseigne-toi “Renseigne-toi” means “find out” or “ask for information” in “Renseigne-toi sur la politique d’échange”. It is a direct instruction formed from “se renseigner”, and it is followed here by “sur” and the subject of the inquiry.
sur “Sur” means “about” in “Renseigne-toi sur la politique d’échange”. The pattern “se renseigner sur + topic” is used to ask for or obtain information about something.
politique “Politique” means policy in “la politique d’échange”, referring to the shop’s rules for exchanges. It can be followed by a phrase specifying the area covered by the policy.
d'échange “D’échange” means “of exchange” in “la politique d’échange”, so the whole phrase means exchange policy. “D’” is the shortened form of “de” before “échange”, and “échange” identifies the type of policy.
avant “Avant” means “before” in “avant de décider” and places the information request earlier than the decision. A reusable pattern is “avant de + infinitive” for an action that must happen first.
décider “Décider” means “to decide” in “avant de décider”. It is an infinitive after “de” and names the decision that should wait until the exchange policy is known.
Celui-ci “Celui-ci” means “this one” in “Celui-ci semble plus solide” and points to the backpack being examined here. It is useful for selecting one specific item from several items under discussion.
semble “Semble” means “seems” or “appears” in “semble plus solide”. It is a form of “sembler” and introduces the speaker’s impression about the item’s strength.
plus “Plus” means “more” in “plus solide”, creating a comparison with another item. The pattern “plus + adjective” expresses that one thing has a greater quality than another.
solide “Solide” means strong or sturdy in “semble plus solide”. It describes the backpack as appearing more durable when checked in person.
même “Même” contributes the meaning “even” in the contrastive expression “même si”. Together with “si”, it introduces a fact that contrasts with the main statement.
si “Si” means “though” in “même si le site montre...”, not “if” in this context. The reusable pattern “même si + clause” introduces a concession or contrast.
site “Site” means website in “le site montre plus clairement...”. It refers to the online source used to view the available color choices.
montre “Montre” means “shows” in “le site montre plus clairement les choix de couleurs”. It is a form of “montrer” and is followed by the information being displayed.
clairement “Clairement” means clearly in “montre plus clairement”. It describes how the website presents the color choices and can be used to modify a verb describing communication or display.
choix “Choix” means choices or options in “les choix de couleurs”. Here it refers to the different colors available for the product.
couleurs “Couleurs” means colors in “les choix de couleurs”. The phrase identifies what the available choices concern.
Utilise “Utilise” means “use” in the instruction “Utilise le site”. It is the direct form used to tell one person to use the website for viewing options.
pour “Pour” means “in order to” in “pour voir les options” and “pour juger la qualité”. The pattern “pour + infinitive” explains the purpose of an action.
voir “Voir” means “to see” in “pour voir les options”. It is an infinitive after “pour” and names the purpose of using the website.
options “Options” means options in “voir les options”, referring to the product choices shown on the website. It is used here as the object of “voir”.
Profite “Profite” means “make use of” or “take advantage of” in “Profite de ta visite en magasin”. It is an instruction to use an opportunity for a particular purpose, followed here by “de” and the opportunity.
ta “Ta” means “your” in “ta visite en magasin” and identifies the visit as belonging to the person being addressed. It is placed before the noun it describes.
visite “Visite” means visit in “ta visite en magasin”. Here it refers to the person’s visit to the shop, which can be used to assess the product directly.
juger “Juger” means “to judge” or “to assess” in “pour juger la qualité”. It is an infinitive after “pour” and names the purpose of using the shop visit.
qualité “Qualité” means quality in “juger la qualité”. It refers to the standard or reliability of the backpack as assessed in person.
Cela “Cela” means “that” or “this” in “Cela me donne...”, referring to the combined use of the website and shop visit. It can be used as the subject when referring back to an idea or situation.
me “Me” means “me” in “Cela me donne une manière...”. It identifies the person receiving the benefit or result of what “Cela” gives.
donne “Donne” means “gives” in “Cela me donne une manière plus claire...”. It is a form of “donner” and connects the situation with the clearer method it provides.
une “Une” means “a” in “une manière plus claire”. It introduces one non-specific feminine singular noun, “manière”.
manière “Manière” means way or manner in “une manière plus claire de les comparer”. It refers to a method of comparing the two items and is followed by “de” plus an infinitive.
claire “Claire” means clear in “une manière plus claire”. With “plus”, it describes a method as clearer than the previous way of comparing the items.
comparer “Comparer” means “to compare” in “de les comparer”. It is an infinitive introduced by “de” and refers to examining the items against each other.
Choisis “Choisis” means “choose” in “Choisis celui...”. It is a direct instruction to select one item according to the qualities described afterward.
celui “Celui” means “the one” in “celui qui semble fiable”. It stands for one item and is followed by “qui” to describe which item should be chosen.
qui “Qui” means “that” in “celui qui semble fiable” and introduces the description of the item to choose. The pattern “celui qui + verb” identifies one item by what it does or seems to be.
fiable “Fiable” means reliable in “semble fiable”. It describes the item as something the buyer can trust to perform well.
a “A” means “has” in “qui a le style que tu veux”. It is a form of “avoir” and describes the style possessed or offered by the item.
style “Style” means style in “le style que tu veux”. It refers to the appearance or design the buyer wants the chosen item to have.
que “Que” means “that” in “le style que tu veux” and links “le style” with the clause describing what the person wants. The pattern “le + noun + que + subject + verb” specifies which quality or item is meant.

Grammar Points

celui-ci

Je vais essayer celui-ci.

zhuh vay ess-ay-YAY seh-lwee-SEE

I’m going to try this one.

Celui-ci is a demonstrative pronoun meaning “this one”; it replaces a masculine singular noun.

des bretelles fragiles

des bretelles fragiles

day bruh-TEL frah-ZHEEL

fragile straps

French adjectives agree with the noun: bretelles is feminine plural, so fragile becomes fragiles.

French Vocabulary

avis noun
ah-VEE reviews

Plusieurs avis mentionnent des fermetures éclair fragiles.

bretelles noun
bruh-TEL straps

Vérifier de près les bretelles.

de près phrase
duh PRAY closely

Tu peux vérifier de près les bretelles.

en personne phrase
ahn pair-SON in person

Je veux essayer le sac à dos en personne.

essayer verb
ess-ay-YAY to try

Je veux essayer le sac à dos en personne.

fermeture éclair phrase
fair-muh-TEER ay-KLAIR zipper

La fermeture éclair et le matériau.

fiche en ligne phrase
FEESH ahn LEEN-yuh online listing

La fiche en ligne est utile.

magasin noun
mah-gah-ZAN shop; store

En magasin, tu peux vérifier de près...

matériau noun
mah-tay-ree-OH material

Vérifier le matériau.

sac à dos phrase
sahk ah DOH backpack

Je veux essayer le sac à dos en personne.

utile adj
tew-TEEL helpful; useful

La fiche en ligne est utile.

vérifier verb
vay-ree-FYAY to check

Tu peux vérifier de près les bretelles.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The online listing is helpful.

Show AnswerLa fiche en ligne est utile.

Then try opening it a few times.

Show AnswerAlors, essaie de l'ouvrir quelques fois.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to try

Show Answeressayer

to check

Show Answervérifier

straps

Show Answerbretelles

helpful; useful

Show Answerutile