A short team update meeting | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: During a short team update meeting, colleagues review progress, identify an approval blocker, and assign follow-up steps..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use A short team update meeting to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Gardons cette réunion de suivi courte et parcourons l'ordre du jour.

gar-DOHN set ray-ew-NYOHN duh swee-VEE koort ay par-koo-ROHN ORDR dew ZHOOR Let's keep this update meeting short and work through the agenda.
B

Je peux commencer par faire le point sur l'avancement de la tâche de conception.

zhuh puh koh-mahn-SAY par fair luh PWAHN sewr la-vahn-SMAHN duh la TAHSH duh kon-sep-SYOHN I can start with progress on the design task.
A

Après cela, merci de mentionner tout obstacle qui pourrait avoir une incidence sur le calendrier.

ah-PRAY suh-LAH mehr-SEE duh mahn-syoh-NAY toot ob-STAHKL kee poo-RAY ah-VWAR ewn ahn-see-DAHNS sewr luh kah-lahn-DRYAY After that, please mention any blockers that could affect the timeline.
B

Le principal obstacle est que nous attendons l'approbation de l'équipe juridique.

luh pran-see-PAHL ob-STAHKL ay kuh noo zah-tahn-DOHN loh-prah-bah-SYOHN duh lay-KEEP zhew-ree-DEEK The main blocker is waiting for approval from the legal team.
A

Qui devrait assurer le suivi auprès d'eux après cet appel ?

kee duh-VRAY ah-sew-RAY luh swee-VEE oh-PRAY duh ah-PRAY set-tah-PELL Who should follow up with them after this call?
B

Je peux m'en charger, mais j'ai d'abord besoin de la dernière version du document.

zhuh puh mahn SHAR-ZHAY meh zhay dah-BOR buh-ZWAN duh la der-NYER vair-SYOHN dew doh-kew-MAHN I can do it, but I need the latest document version first.
A

Je demanderai à quelqu'un de l'envoyer aujourd'hui.

zhuh duh-mahn-DRAY ah kel-KUN duh lahn-vwah-YAY oh-zhoor-DWEE I'll ask someone to send it today.
B

Nous devrions donc quand même pouvoir terminer d'ici la date limite prévue.

noo duh-VREE-YOHN DOHNK kahn MEM poo-VWAR tair-mee-NAY dee-SEE la daht lee-MEET pray-VYOO Then we should still be able to finish by the planned deadline.
A

Après la réunion, j'enverrai un résumé écrit des décisions.

ah-PRAY la ray-ew-NYOHN zhahn-vuh-RAY uhn ray-zew-MAY ay-KREE day day-see-ZYOHN After the meeting, I'll send a written summary of the decisions.
B

Cela aidera tout le monde à bien comprendre les prochaines étapes.

suh-LAH ay-day-RAH toot luh MOND ah byan kohm-PRAHNDR lay proh-SHEN ZAY-TAHP That will help everyone stay clear on the next steps.

Word by Word

Gardons “Gardons” means “let’s keep” in this meeting instruction. It is the form used to suggest a shared action, as in “Gardons cette réunion de suivi courte”.
cette “Cette” means “this” and points to the particular meeting being discussed. It comes directly before the feminine noun “réunion” in “cette réunion de suivi”.
réunion “Réunion” means “meeting,” specifically the team meeting in this dialogue. It can be used with “de” to specify the type or purpose, as in “réunion de suivi”.
de In “réunion de suivi,” “de” links the noun “réunion” to the kind of meeting. In “merci de mentionner,” it introduces the action requested after “merci”.
suivi “Suivi” means “follow-up” here and identifies the meeting as one for reviewing progress. “Réunion de suivi” is a reusable expression for a follow-up meeting.
courte “Courte” means “short” and describes the meeting in “cette réunion de suivi courte.” Its form matches the feminine noun “réunion”.
et “Et” means “and” and joins the two suggested actions: keeping the meeting short and going through the agenda. It connects parallel actions in “Gardons ... et parcourons ...”.
parcourons “Parcourons” means “let’s go through” the agenda. It is used here to propose reviewing the items in “parcourons l'ordre du jour”.
l'ordre du jour “L'ordre du jour” means “the agenda” as a complete expression. “L'ordre” means order, “du” combines “de” and “le,” and “jour” means day; together they name the planned items of a meeting.
Je “Je” means “I” and is the subject pronoun for the speaker’s own action. It appears before “peux” in “Je peux commencer”.
peux “Peux” means “can” in “Je peux commencer,” expressing the speaker’s ability or willingness to start. It is followed by the infinitive “commencer”.
commencer “Commencer” means “to start” and introduces the speaker’s first contribution to the meeting. The pattern “commencer par” is used here before the activity “faire le point”.
par “Par” means “by” in “commencer par faire le point,” showing the first action in a sequence. The reusable pattern here is “commencer par” followed by an action.
faire le point “Faire le point” means “to review the progress” or “to take stock” as a whole expression. “Faire” contributes “do,” “le” means “the,” and “point” means “point”; with “sur,” the expression identifies the topic being reviewed.
sur “Sur” means “on” or “about” in “faire le point sur l'avancement.” It introduces the subject of the review.
l'avancement “L'avancement” means “the progress” being reviewed in the design task. It is used in the pattern “faire le point sur l'avancement de” a task or project.
la “La” means “the” before the feminine noun “tâche.” In “la tâche de conception,” it identifies the specific task under discussion.
tâche “Tâche” means “task,” here referring to the design task. “Tâche de conception” uses “de” to specify what kind of task it is.
conception “Conception” means “design” in “la tâche de conception.” It specifies the area of work connected to the task.
Après “Après” means “after” and places one action later than another. It is used in “Après cela” and “Après la réunion” to introduce what happens next.
cela “Cela” means “that” or “that matter” and refers here to the preceding part of the meeting. The phrase “Après cela” means “after that.”
merci “Merci” means “please” in the polite request “merci de mentionner.” In this use, it softens a request rather than thanking someone.
mentionner “Mentionner” means “to mention” and is the action requested in “merci de mentionner tout obstacle.” It follows “de” in this polite request pattern.
tout “Tout” means “any” in “tout obstacle,” covering any obstacle that might affect the schedule. It comes before the singular noun it specifies.
obstacle “Obstacle” means “blocker” or “obstacle” to the work. In “tout obstacle qui pourrait avoir une incidence,” it is the problem whose possible effect is being discussed.
qui Lowercase “qui” means “that” or “which” in “obstacle qui pourrait avoir une incidence,” linking the obstacle to information about it. Capitalized “Qui” in the question means “who” and asks which person should follow up.
pourrait “Pourrait” means “could” or “might,” describing a possible effect of the obstacle. It is followed by “avoir” in “qui pourrait avoir une incidence.”
avoir “Avoir” means “to have” in the expression “avoir une incidence sur,” meaning to have an impact on something. It follows “pourrait” as the action that may occur.
une “Une” means “an” or “one” before the feminine noun “incidence.” In “avoir une incidence,” it introduces one possible effect.
incidence “Incidence” means “impact” or “effect” in “avoir une incidence sur le calendrier.” The reusable pattern is “avoir une incidence sur” a schedule, plan, or other matter.
le “Le” means “the” before “calendrier” in “le calendrier.” The same form appears capitalized as “Le” at the beginning of the next sentence.
calendrier “Calendrier” means “schedule” or “timeline” in this work context. It is the object of “sur” in “avoir une incidence sur le calendrier.”
principal “Principal” means “main” and identifies the most important blocker. It describes “obstacle” in “Le principal obstacle.”
est “Est” means “is” and links the main obstacle to the explanation that follows. The pattern here is “Le principal obstacle est que” plus a clause.
que “Que” means “that” and introduces the explanation of what the main obstacle is. In “est que nous attendons,” it connects the statement to the following clause.
nous “Nous” means “we” in “nous attendons,” referring to the speaker’s team. The same form appears as “Nous” at the beginning of the later sentence.
attendons “Attendons” means “are waiting for” in “nous attendons l'approbation.” It is used with the thing or decision being awaited.
l'approbation “L'approbation” means “the approval” that the team is waiting for. It is the object of “attendons” and comes from the legal team.
l'équipe “L'équipe” means “the team” in “l'équipe juridique.” The phrase “de l'équipe juridique” identifies whose approval is needed.
juridique “Juridique” means “legal” and describes the team responsible for the approval. It appears after the noun in “l'équipe juridique.”
devrait “Devrait” means “should” in “Qui devrait assurer le suivi,” asking who ought to take responsibility. It is followed by the infinitive “assurer”.
assurer “Assurer” contributes the idea of handling or carrying out in “assurer le suivi.” The complete pattern “assurer le suivi auprès de” identifies follow-up with a person or group.
auprès “Auprès” means “with” or “through contact with” in “auprès d'eux.” It is normally used with “de” to identify the person or group contacted.
d'eux “D'eux” means “with them” or “from them” in this context, referring to the legal team. It is the form used after “auprès” in “auprès d'eux.”
cet “Cet” means “this” before the masculine noun “appel.” In “cet appel,” it points to the call that has just taken place.
appel “Appel” means “call,” referring to the current work call. The phrase “après cet appel” places the follow-up after it.
m'en charger “M'en charger” means “take care of it” or “handle it” as a whole expression. “M'” refers to the speaker, “en” refers to the task or matter, and “charger” expresses taking responsibility for it.
mais “Mais” means “but” and introduces a condition or limitation to the speaker’s offer. It connects “Je peux m'en charger” with the need for the document.
j'ai “J'ai” means “I have,” but in “j'ai besoin de” the complete expression means “I need.” It is followed by the thing needed, here “la dernière version du document.”
d'abord “D'abord” means “first” and shows that obtaining the document must happen before the follow-up. It is placed before “besoin” in “j'ai d'abord besoin de...”.
besoin “Besoin” means “need” in the expression “avoir besoin de.” Here, “j'ai ... besoin de” introduces the document required for the next action.
dernière “Dernière” means “latest” in “la dernière version,” identifying the most recent version needed. Its form agrees with the feminine noun “version.”
version “Version” means “version,” here referring to the current document version. It is specified by “la dernière” and followed by “du document.”
du “Du” means “of the” in “la version du document.” It combines “de” and “le” and links the version to the document.
document “Document” means “document,” the file whose latest version is needed. It is the noun governed by “du” in “la dernière version du document.”
first “First” is the English item supplied in the worklist, not a French form appearing in the dialogue. The French dialogue expresses this meaning with “d'abord.”
demanderai “Demanderai” means “will ask” and describes a future request. The sentence uses the pattern “demander à quelqu'un de” followed by an action.
à “À” means “to” in “demanderai à quelqu'un,” identifying the person who will be asked. The reusable pattern is “demander à quelqu'un de” do something.
quelqu'un “Quelqu'un” means “someone,” referring to an unspecified person who can send the document. It follows “demanderai à” in “demanderai à quelqu'un de l'envoyer.”
l'envoyer “L'envoyer” means “to send it” in this sentence. “L'” refers to the document, and “envoyer” is the action requested from someone.
aujourd'hui “Aujourd'hui” means “today” and sets the time for sending the document. It appears at the end of the sentence to specify when the action will happen.
devrions “Devrions” means “should” or “ought to” in “nous devrions ... pouvoir terminer.” It expresses an expectation about the team’s ability to finish.
donc “Donc” means “then” or “therefore” and presents the expected result of sending the document. It connects the previous plan with the conclusion about finishing.
quand même “Quand même” means “still” or “nevertheless” as a complete expression. “Quand” contributes “when” and “même” contributes “same/even,” but together here they emphasize that finishing remains possible despite the blocker.
pouvoir “Pouvoir” means “to be able to” and expresses ability in “pouvoir terminer.” It follows “devrions” and is followed by the infinitive “terminer.”
terminer “Terminer” means “to finish,” referring to completing the work by the deadline. It follows “pouvoir” in “pouvoir terminer.”
d'ici “D'ici” means “by” or “within” a time limit in “d'ici la date limite prévue.” It introduces the latest point by which the work should be finished.
date “Date” means “date” in “la date limite prévue.” It is the time reference used to define the deadline.
limite “Limite” means “limit” in “la date limite,” which together means “deadline.” It specifies the final point allowed for completion.
prévue “Prévue” means “planned” or “scheduled” and describes the deadline in “la date limite prévue.” Its form agrees with the feminine noun “date.”
j'enverrai “J'enverrai” means “I will send” and announces a future action after the meeting. It is followed by the object “un résumé écrit des décisions.”
un “Un” means “a” or “one” before “résumé.” In “un résumé écrit,” it introduces the written summary that will be sent.
résumé “Résumé” means “summary,” here a concise record of the decisions made in the meeting. It is specified by “écrit” and followed by “des décisions.”
écrit “Écrit” means “written” and describes the summary as a written document. Its form agrees with the masculine noun “résumé.”
des “Des” means “of the” in “des décisions,” linking the summary to the decisions. Here it represents “de” plus the plural article “les,” rather than “some.”
décisions “Décisions” means “decisions,” referring to the choices made during the meeting. It is the content summarized in “un résumé écrit des décisions.”
tout le monde “Tout le monde” means “everyone” as a complete expression. “Tout” contributes “all,” “le” means “the,” and “monde” means “world,” but together the expression refers to all the people involved.
aidera “Aidera” means “will help” and describes the future benefit of the written summary. It is used with “aider quelqu'un à” followed by an infinitive, here “aidera tout le monde à comprendre.”
bien “Bien” means “well” or “clearly” in “bien comprendre,” emphasizing successful understanding. It modifies the infinitive “comprendre.”
comprendre “Comprendre” means “to understand” and is the action that the summary will help everyone perform. It follows “à” in “aidera tout le monde à bien comprendre.”
les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “étapes.” In “les prochaines étapes,” it identifies the upcoming steps being discussed.
prochaines “Prochaines” means “next” or “upcoming” and describes the steps that follow the meeting. Its form agrees with the feminine plural noun “étapes.”
étapes “Étapes” means “steps,” referring to the actions to take after the meeting. The phrase “les prochaines étapes” is a common way to identify the next actions in a plan.

Grammar Points

avoir une incidence sur + nom

Cette tâche a une incidence sur le calendrier.

set TAHSH ah ewn ahn-see-DAHNS sewr luh kah-lahn-DRYAY

This task affects the schedule.

French uses the fixed expression avoir une incidence sur; sur comes before the affected noun.

s'en charger

Je vais m'en charger.

zhuh vay mahn SHAR-ZHAY

I'll take care of it.

The pronoun en replaces the thing being handled and comes before the infinitive in m'en charger.

French Vocabulary

attendons verb
ah-tahn-DOHN are waiting
avancement noun
ah-vahn-SMAHN progress
avoir une incidence sur phrase
ah-VWAR ewn ahn-see-DAHNS sewr to affect; to have an impact on
calendrier noun
kah-lahn-DRYAY schedule; timeline
conception noun
kon-sep-SYOHN design
faire le point phrase
fair luh PWAHN to review; to take stock
mentionner verb
mahn-syoh-NAY to mention
obstacle noun
ob-STAHKL obstacle; blocker
ordre du jour phrase
ORDR dew ZHOOR agenda
réunion noun
ray-ew-NYOHN meeting
suivi noun
swee-VEE follow-up
tâche noun
tash task

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

task

Show Answertâche

obstacle; blocker

Show Answerobstacle

follow-up

Show Answersuivi

meeting

Show Answerréunion