About This Lesson
Use Choosing the right commuter pass to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Mon emploi du temps professionnel a changé, alors j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un abonnement de transport.
mohn ahm-PLWA dew TAHN proh-feh-syoh-NEL ah shahn-ZHAY, ah-LOR zhoh-RAY peh-TETR beh-ZWAN dun ah-bohn-MAHN duh trans-POHR. My work schedule has changed, so I may need a commuter pass.
B
Un abonnement est utile seulement s'il correspond à la fréquence de tes déplacements.
uhn ah-bohn-MAHN ay oo-TEEL suhhl-MAHN see-l koh-reh-SPON ah lah fray-KAHNS duh tay day-plahs-MAHN. A pass only helps if it matches how often you travel.
A
Acheter des tickets à l'unité n'est plus pratique maintenant que je me déplace plus souvent.
ah-shuh-TAY day tee-KAY ah loo-nee-TAY nay ploo PRAH-TEEK mahN-teh-NAHN kuh zhuh muh day-PLASS ploo soo-VAHN. Buying single tickets feels inconvenient now that I travel more often.
B
Alors, compare l'abonnement flexible avec l'abonnement classique.
ah-LOR, kohm-PAHR lah-bohn-MAHN flek-SEEBL ah-VEK lah-bohn-MAHN KLAH-SEEK. Then compare the flexible pass with the regular one.
A
Si mon rythme de travail continue à changer, l'abonnement flexible me conviendra peut-être mieux.
see mohn REETM duh trah-VY kon-tee-NEW ah shahn-ZHAY, lah-bohn-MAHN flek-SEEBL muh kon-vee-ahn-DRAH puh-TETR MYUH. If my work pattern keeps changing, the flexible pass may suit me better.
B
Cela semble utile si tu travailles parfois de chez toi.
suh-LAH sahmbl oo-TEEL see too trah-VY puh-RFWA duh shay TWA. That sounds useful if you sometimes work from home.
A
Je comparerai les deux options dans l'application de transport après le travail.
zhuh kohm-pah-RAY lay duh zop-SYOHN dahn lah-pee-kah-SYOHN duh trans-POHR ah-PRAY luh trah-VY. I'll compare both options in the transport app after work.
B
Choisis l'abonnement qui correspond à ta semaine réelle, pas à un emploi du temps idéal.
shwah-ZEE lah-bohn-MAHN kee koh-reh-SPON ah tah suh-MEN ray-EL, pah ah uhn ahm-PLWA dew TAHN ee-day-AHL. Choose the pass that matches your actual week, not an ideal schedule.Word by Word
Mon
'Mon' means my here and introduces the speaker's work schedule in 'Mon emploi du temps professionnel'. It is used before the masculine singular noun 'emploi'; a reusable pattern is 'mon' + a possessed noun.
emploi
In 'emploi du temps', 'emploi' contributes to the meaning schedule, not employment by itself. The reusable expression is 'emploi du temps' followed by a description such as 'professionnel'.
du
'Du' means of the in 'emploi du temps' and links 'emploi' with 'temps'. It is the form used in the expression 'emploi du temps', a common way to refer to a schedule.
temps
In 'emploi du temps', 'temps' refers to time as part of the complete meaning work schedule. The exact expression 'emploi du temps' is used when talking about someone's schedule.
professionnel
'Professionnel' means professional or work-related and describes 'emploi du temps'. The pattern 'emploi du temps professionnel' identifies a schedule connected with work.
a
In 'a changé', 'a' helps express that the work schedule has changed. The reusable pattern is 'a' plus a past participle, as in 'a changé'.
changé
'Changé' means changed in 'a changé', describing the new state of the work schedule. The reusable expression is 'a changé' when something has changed.
alors
'Alors' means so in 'a changé, alors...' and introduces the consequence that follows. In 'Alors, compare...', the same word means then and moves the conversation to an instruction.
j'aurai
'J'aurai' means I will have in 'j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un abonnement'. The reusable pattern is 'j'aurai besoin de' followed by the thing the speaker may need.
peut-être
'Peut-être' means perhaps or maybe and makes the need uncertain in 'j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un abonnement'. The expression combines 'peut' and 'être' and is reusable before a possibility or uncertain statement.
besoin
'Besoin' means need in 'j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un abonnement'. The common pattern is 'avoir besoin de' plus a noun, as in 'besoin d'un abonnement'.
d'un
'D'un' means of a in 'besoin d'un abonnement'. It is the form used in 'avoir besoin de' before the masculine singular article 'un', with 'de' shortened before the vowel.
abonnement
'Abonnement' means a pass or subscription here, specifically a transport pass in 'un abonnement de transport'. It can be reused with a type or description, such as 'abonnement flexible'.
de
In 'abonnement de transport', 'de' links the pass with its transport purpose or category. The pattern 'abonnement de' plus a category describes the kind of subscription.
transport
'Transport' means transportation in 'abonnement de transport'. The same word appears in 'application de transport', referring to an app connected with transportation.
Un
'Un' means a or one and introduces an unspecified pass in 'Un abonnement'. It is used before the masculine singular noun 'abonnement' when referring to one pass generally.
est
'Est' means is in 'est utile seulement si...'. It links the subject 'Un abonnement' with the description 'utile'; a reusable pattern is 'X est utile'.
utile
'Utile' means useful in 'Un abonnement est utile'. Here, its usefulness depends on whether the pass matches the speaker's travel frequency.
seulement
'Seulement' means only and limits the usefulness of the pass in 'est utile seulement si...'. The reusable pattern 'seulement si' introduces the condition under which something applies.
s'il
'S'il' means if it here and refers back to 'un abonnement'. It combines 'si' with 'il' and introduces the condition in 's'il correspond à la fréquence de tes déplacements'.
correspond
'Correspond' means matches or corresponds in 's'il correspond à la fréquence de tes déplacements'. The reusable construction is 'correspondre à' followed by the thing that is matched.
à
In 'correspond à la fréquence', 'à' completes the construction meaning corresponds to. It also appears in 'continue à changer', where it links 'continue' to the following infinitive.
la
'La' means the and introduces the feminine singular noun 'fréquence' in 'la fréquence de tes déplacements'. The pattern is 'la' plus a feminine singular noun.
fréquence
'Fréquence' means frequency, here referring to how often the person travels. The reusable pattern is 'fréquence de' plus the activity or journeys being counted.
tes
'Tes' means your and describes the plural noun 'déplacements' in 'tes déplacements'. It shows that the journeys belong to the person addressed.
déplacements
'Déplacements' means journeys or trips in 'la fréquence de tes déplacements'. The expression is useful when discussing how often someone travels from place to place.
Acheter
'Acheter' means to buy, and at the beginning of 'Acheter des tickets à l'unité...' it presents buying tickets as the activity being discussed. A French infinitive can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to name an activity.
des
'Des' introduces the plural noun 'tickets' in 'des tickets à l'unité'. It refers to tickets generally rather than to one particular ticket.
tickets
'Tickets' means tickets here, specifically individual transport tickets in 'des tickets à l'unité'. The reusable expression is 'tickets à l'unité' for tickets bought one by one.
l'unité
'L'unité' contributes the meaning individually or per unit in 'des tickets à l'unité'. The complete expression 'tickets à l'unité' contrasts with using a pass.
n'est
In 'n'est plus pratique', 'n'est' contains the negative beginning and the verb meaning is. Together with 'plus', the full phrase says that buying individual tickets is no longer convenient.
plus
In 'n'est plus pratique', 'plus' means no longer, not more. The reusable pattern 'n'est plus' describes something that was previously true but is not true now.
pratique
'Pratique' means convenient or practical in 'n'est plus pratique'. Here it evaluates buying individual tickets as a way of travelling.
maintenant
'Maintenant' means now in 'maintenant que je me déplace plus souvent'. With 'que', it introduces the present situation that explains why the earlier option is inconvenient.
que
In 'maintenant que je me déplace plus souvent', 'que' helps form the expression now that and introduces a clause. The reusable pattern is 'maintenant que' plus a situation.
je
'Je' means I and is the subject of 'je me déplace' and 'Je comparerai'. It is placed before the verb when the speaker describes their own action.
me
In 'je me déplace', 'me' is part of the expression used for the speaker moving or travelling. The reusable pattern is 'je me déplace' followed by a frequency or other travel detail.
déplace
With 'me' in 'je me déplace', 'déplace' expresses travelling or moving around. The pattern 'je me déplace' can be followed by an adverb such as 'plus souvent'.
souvent
'Souvent' means often in 'je me déplace plus souvent'. Together with 'plus', it describes an increased frequency of travel.
compare
'Compare' means compare and gives an informal singular instruction in 'compare l'abonnement flexible avec l'abonnement classique'. The reusable pattern is 'compare X avec Y'.
l'abonnement
'L'abonnement' means the pass or subscription in 'compare l'abonnement flexible'. The form includes the definite article before a vowel, and it is used when the pass is already identified.
flexible
'Flexible' means flexible and describes the pass in 'l'abonnement flexible'. The expression is useful for a pass that can fit changing travel habits.
avec
'Avec' means with in the comparison 'compare l'abonnement flexible avec l'abonnement classique'. The reusable pattern is 'comparer X avec Y' when placing two options side by side.
classique
'Classique' means regular or standard in 'l'abonnement classique'. It identifies the regular option being compared with the flexible pass.
Si
'Si' means if and introduces the condition 'Si mon rythme de travail continue à changer'. The reusable pattern is 'Si' plus a condition, followed by a possible result.
rythme
'Rythme' means pattern or rhythm in 'mon rythme de travail'. Here it refers to the pattern of the speaker's work schedule.
travail
'Travail' means work in 'rythme de travail' and in 'après le travail'. It can identify either a work pattern or the time after work, depending on the surrounding expression.
continue
'Continue' means continues in 'continue à changer'. The reusable pattern is 'continue à' followed by an infinitive to describe an activity that keeps happening.
changer
'Changer' means to change and follows 'continue à' in 'continue à changer'. The pattern 'continue à changer' describes an ongoing change.
conviendra
'Conviendra' means will suit or will be suitable in 'l'abonnement flexible me conviendra peut-être mieux'. The reusable pattern is 'X me conviendra' when evaluating whether something suits the speaker.
Cela
'Cela' means that or it and refers to the flexible pass in 'Cela semble utile'. The reusable pattern is 'Cela semble' followed by an evaluation.
semble
'Semble' means seems or sounds in 'Cela semble utile'. The pattern 'semble' plus an adjective gives an assessment that is presented as an impression.
tu
'Tu' means you when addressing one person informally, as in 'tu travailles parfois'. It is the subject placed before the verb in this direct conversation.
travailles
'Travailles' means work when speaking to one informal person in 'tu travailles parfois'. The reusable pattern is 'tu travailles' followed by a time, place, or frequency detail.
parfois
'Parfois' means sometimes in 'tu travailles parfois de chez toi'. It is a frequency word used to say that an activity happens on some occasions.
chez
'Chez' means at or from someone's home in 'chez toi'. The reusable pattern is 'chez' plus a person or stressed pronoun when referring to that person's home or place.
toi
'Toi' is the stressed form of you in 'chez toi', meaning at your place or from your home. It follows 'chez' in this expression identifying the person's home.
comparerai
'Comparerai' means I will compare in 'Je comparerai les deux options'. The reusable pattern is 'Je comparerai' followed by the things being compared and, when useful, the place where the comparison will happen.
les
'Les' means the and introduces the plural noun phrase 'les deux options'. It refers to the two already-known pass choices.
deux
'Deux' means two in 'les deux options'. The reusable pattern is 'les deux' plus a plural noun when referring to both members of a pair.
options
'Options' means options or choices in 'les deux options'. Here it refers to the flexible pass and the regular pass.
dans
'Dans' means in or within in 'dans l'application de transport'. It is used before a place or tool in which an action is carried out.
l'application
'L'application' means the app or application in 'dans l'application de transport'. The form uses the definite article before a vowel, and the complete phrase identifies the transport app.
après
'Après' means after in 'après le travail'. The reusable pattern is 'après' plus a time or event to say when something happens.
le
'Le' means the and introduces the masculine singular noun 'travail' in 'le travail'. The phrase 'après le travail' means after work.
Choisis
'Choisis' means choose and gives an informal singular instruction in 'Choisis l'abonnement'. The reusable pattern is 'Choisis' followed by the option the listener should select.
qui
In 'l'abonnement qui correspond à ta semaine réelle', 'qui' means that or which and links the pass to the clause describing it. The reusable pattern is a noun followed by 'qui' and a verb.
ta
'Ta' means your and describes the feminine singular noun 'semaine' in 'ta semaine réelle'. It shows that the week belongs to the person being addressed.
semaine
'Semaine' means week in 'ta semaine réelle'. Here it refers to the learner's actual pattern of travel during a week.
réelle
'Réelle' means actual or real and describes 'semaine' in 'ta semaine réelle'. The expression contrasts the week that really happens with an imagined ideal schedule.
pas
'Pas' means not in the contrast 'pas à un emploi du temps idéal'. Here it rejects the ideal schedule as the basis for choosing the pass.
idéal
'Idéal' means ideal and describes 'emploi du temps' in 'un emploi du temps idéal'. The expression refers to a schedule imagined as perfect rather than the actual week.
Grammar Points
Futur simple : j'aurai peut-être besoin de + nom
j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un
zhoh-RAY puh-TETR beh-ZWAN dunI may need a
The futur simple expresses a possible future need; the subject and verb ending are combined in j'aurai.
Impératif, 2e personne du singulier : Choisis
Choisis
shwah-ZEEChoose
The imperative gives a direct instruction; the subject pronoun is omitted.
French Vocabulary
abonnement de transport
phrase
ah-bohn-MAHN duh trans-POHR
transport pass
acheter
verb
ah-shuh-TAY
to buy
avoir besoin de
phrase
ah-VWAR beh-ZWAN duh
to need
j'aurai peut-être besoin d'un
changer
verb
shahn-ZHAY
to change
a changé
correspondre à
verb
koh-reh-SPON-druh ah
to match
correspond
déplacement
noun
day-plahs-MAHN
journey
déplacements
emploi du temps professionnel
phrase
ahm-PLWA dew TAHN proh-feh-syoh-NEL
work schedule
Mon emploi du temps professionnel
Mon emploi du temps professionnel a changé.
fréquence
noun
fray-KAHNS
frequency
pratique
adj
PRAH-TEEK
convenient
se déplacer
verb
suh day-plah-SAY
to travel or get around
je me déplace
souvent
adv
soo-VAHN
often
ticket à l'unité
phrase
tee-KAY ah loo-nee-TAY
single ticket
tickets à l'unité
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to buy
Show Answer
acheterfrequency
Show Answer
fréquenceto match
Show Answer
correspondjourney