Borrowing a suitcase and agreeing on its care | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Before a trip, one adult borrows a suitcase and agrees how to protect it, document its condition, and return it clean..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a suitcase and agreeing on its care to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Est-ce que je peux emprunter ta valise de taille moyenne pour mon voyage la semaine prochaine ?

ess kuh zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-TRAY tah vah-LEEZ duh TAH-yuh mwah-YEN poor mohn vwah-YAHZH lah suh-MEN proh-SHEN Could I borrow your medium suitcase for my trip next week?
B

Oui, mais fais attention à la poignée parce qu'elle est un peu fragile.

wee, may fayz ah-tahn-SYOHN ah lah pwah-NYAY pahrs kuh-ELL eh uhn puh frah-ZHEEL You can, but be careful with the handle because it's a little fragile.
A

Je garderai cela à l'esprit et j'éviterai de trop la remplir.

zhuh gar-duh-RAY suh-LAH ah LESS-PREE ay zhay-vee-tuh-RAY duh troh lah rahm-PLEER I'll keep that in mind and avoid overpacking it.
B

Elle a aussi une rayure sur le côté.

ell ah oh-SEE oon rah-YUR soor luh koh-TAY It also has a scratch on the side.
A

Tu veux que je prenne une photo avant de l'utiliser ?

too vuh kuh zhuh PRENN oon FOH-toh ah-VAHN duh lee-tee-LEE-ZAY Would you like me to take a photo before I use it?
B

Une photo montrerait clairement son état pour nous deux.

oon FOH-toh mohn-truh-RAY klair-MAHN sohn ay-TAH poor noo DUH A photo would make the condition clear for both of us.
A

Je te la rendrai le lendemain de mon retour.

zhuh tuh lah rahn-druh-RAY luh lahn-duh-MAN duh mohn ruh-TOOR I'll return it the day after I get back.
B

S'il te plaît, essuie les roues avant de la rentrer.

seel tuh PLAY, eh-SWEE lay roo ah-VAHN duh lah rahn-TRAY Please wipe the wheels before bringing it inside.
A

Je ferai cela dehors avant de te la rapporter.

zhuh fuh-RAY suh-LAH duh-OR ah-VAHN duh tuh lah rah-pawr-TAY I'll do that outside before I bring it back.
B

Dis-moi si la poignée te pose problème pendant le voyage.

dee-MWAH see lah pwah-NYAY tuh pohz proh-BLEM pahn-DAHN luh vwah-YAHZH Let me know if the handle gives you trouble during the trip.

Word by Word

Est-ce que Est-ce que forms a yes-or-no question here: it introduces the request to borrow the suitcase. Est-ce begins the question and que connects it to the clause about what je peux do. This is useful at the start of a polite question.
je je means “I” and is the subject of peux, garderai, éviterai, ferai, and rendrai in the dialogue. It appears as Je at the beginning of a sentence. Use it before a verb when speaking about yourself.
peux peux means “can” or “may” here, expressing permission to borrow the suitcase in je peux emprunter. It is the form used with je in the present. Use this form before an infinitive when asking about or stating your ability or permission to do something.
emprunter emprunter means “to borrow” here, with the intention of using the suitcase and returning it later. It remains in the infinitive after peux. Use it with the item being borrowed when asking to borrow something temporarily.
ta ta means “your” for the person addressed informally and refers to the feminine noun valise. It shows that the suitcase belongs to or is associated with that person. Use ta before a feminine singular noun when speaking informally to one person.
valise valise means “suitcase,” the item being borrowed, protected, photographed, and returned in this dialogue. It is the object of emprunter and is later referred to by feminine forms such as la and elle. Use it when talking about a suitcase used for travel.
de de links valise to the description of its size in valise de taille moyenne. Here it introduces the phrase describing what kind of suitcase it is. Use de to connect a noun with a following description or specification.
taille taille means “size” in de taille moyenne. The phrase identifies the suitcase by its size rather than by a brand or other feature. Use taille when describing how large or small something is.
moyenne moyenne means “medium” in de taille moyenne and describes the size of the suitcase. Its form matches the feminine noun taille. Use it after a noun referring to size when describing something as medium-sized.
pour pour means “for” here and introduces the purpose of borrowing the suitcase: the speaker’s trip. It connects the suitcase request with the intended use. Use pour before a noun or activity to express purpose or intended use.
mon mon means “my” before voyage, referring to the speaker’s trip. It marks the trip as belonging to or being associated with the speaker. Use mon before a masculine singular noun when expressing possession.
voyage voyage means “trip” or “journey” here, specifically the speaker’s upcoming travel. It appears in mon voyage and later in pendant le voyage. Use it for a trip or journey, especially when discussing travel plans.
la la means “the” in la semaine prochaine, referring to the specific upcoming week. It is the feminine singular article before semaine. Use la before a feminine singular noun when referring to a specific thing.
semaine semaine means “week” in la semaine prochaine. Together with prochaine, it identifies when the trip will happen. Use it in time expressions referring to a week.
prochaine prochaine means “next” or “following” and describes the upcoming semaine. Its form matches the feminine noun semaine. Use it after a time noun when referring to the next occurrence of that period.
Oui Oui means “yes” and confirms that the speaker may borrow the suitcase. Here it is immediately followed by a caution introduced by mais. Use it to give an affirmative answer before adding further information if needed.
mais mais means “but” and contrasts permission with the warning about the handle. It connects the positive answer with a condition or limitation. Use it to introduce information that qualifies or contrasts with what was just said.
fais fais is used in fais attention as an informal instruction to be careful. The whole expression, rather than fais alone, means “be careful” or “pay attention.” Use this form in an informal direct instruction, commonly with attention à and the thing requiring care.
attention attention contributes the idea of care in the expression fais attention. The complete expression tells the listener to be careful with the handle. Use attention after fais when warning someone to take care.
à à marks the object of care in fais attention à la poignée. It connects attention with the handle that needs careful treatment. Use it after attention to identify what someone should be careful with.
poignée poignée means “handle” here, specifically the suitcase handle that may be fragile or cause trouble. It is the thing named after attention à. Use it when referring to a handle that someone grips or moves.
parce In parce qu'elle est un peu fragile, parce introduces the reason for the warning about the handle. The complete expression explains why the listener should be careful. Use it when giving a reason for a statement or instruction.
qu'elle qu'elle joins que and elle in parce qu'elle est un peu fragile. Here it introduces the clause that the handle is fragile, and elle refers to the feminine noun poignée, meaning “it.” This form is useful when a clause beginning with que is followed by elle before a vowel sound.
est est means “is” here and links the handle to the description fragile. It states the handle’s condition. Use it between a singular subject and an adjective describing that subject.
un un is part of un peu, which expresses a small degree in un peu fragile. It helps form the quantity expression rather than referring to a separate object. Use it with peu to soften or limit the degree of a description.
peu peu means “a little” in un peu fragile, making the warning less strong than saying the handle is very fragile. The complete expression un peu modifies the adjective fragile. Use it before a description when indicating a small degree.
fragile fragile means “fragile” or “delicate” here and describes the suitcase handle. It explains why the listener should handle it carefully. Use it after a form of être to describe an object that can be damaged easily.
garderai garderai means “I will keep” in garderai cela à l'esprit. The complete expression means that the speaker will remember the warning about the handle. This future form is useful for stating a personal intention or promise.
cela cela means “that” and refers back to the warning about the fragile handle. In garderai cela à l'esprit, it is the information the speaker promises to remember. Use it to refer to information or a situation already mentioned.
à l'esprit à l'esprit contributes the idea of keeping something in mind; together with garderai cela, the expression means “I will keep that in mind.” à marks the relation to l'esprit, and l'esprit names the mind. Use this expression when promising to remember advice or information.
et et means “and” and connects the promise to remember the warning with the promise not to overfill the suitcase. It joins two related actions in the same sentence. Use it to link words, phrases, or actions.
éviterai éviterai means “I will avoid” here, referring to the speaker’s intention not to fill the suitcase too much. It is a future statement of planned behavior. Use this form to say that you will avoid an action or situation.
trop trop means “too much” in trop la remplir and indicates that the suitcase should not be filled excessively. It modifies the amount of filling. Use it with an action or quantity when something goes beyond a suitable limit.
remplir remplir means “to fill” here, referring to putting too many things into the suitcase. It follows éviter de and remains in the infinitive. Use it with the container or space that is being filled.
Elle Elle means “she” or “it” and refers to the feminine noun valise in Elle a aussi une rayure. Here it is “it,” because the subject is the suitcase. Use it as a feminine singular subject pronoun before a verb.
a a means “has” here and states that the suitcase has a scratch on its side. It is the verb form used with Elle. Use it to say that an object possesses, contains, or shows something.
aussi aussi means “also” or “too” and adds the scratch as another feature of the suitcase, in addition to the fragile handle. It appears in Elle a aussi une rayure. Use it to add another piece of information.
une une means “a” or “one” before the feminine noun rayure. It introduces one unspecified scratch on the suitcase. Use une before a feminine singular noun when referring to one item.
rayure rayure means “scratch” here, describing visible damage on the side of the suitcase. It is the thing the suitcase has in Elle a aussi une rayure. Use it when referring to a scratch or mark on a surface.
sur sur means “on” and marks the location of the scratch in sur le côté. It connects the scratch with the suitcase’s side. Use it before a place or surface to describe where something is located.
le le means “the” before the masculine singular noun côté. In sur le côté, it refers to the side of the suitcase as a specific surface. Use le before a masculine singular noun referring to a specific thing.
côté côté means “side” in sur le côté, identifying where the scratch is located. The phrase describes a position on the suitcase. Use it with a location expression when referring to one side of an object.
Tu Tu means “you” for one person addressed informally. Here it is the subject of veux in a question about taking a photo. Use it before a verb when speaking directly to one familiar person.
veux veux means “want” in Tu veux que je prenne une photo. The question asks whether the other person would like the speaker to take a photo. Use this form with tu when asking about someone’s wish or preference.
que que introduces the clause describing the action that is wanted in Tu veux que je prenne une photo. It connects the other person’s wish with the speaker’s proposed action. Use it after a verb expressing a desire when introducing another person’s action.
prenne prenne means “take” here, specifically take a photo. It appears in the clause introduced by que after Tu veux. Use it with the object of the action, such as a photo, when describing the requested action.
photo photo means “photo” or “photograph” and is the object of prenne. The photo would document the suitcase’s condition before use. Use it with a verb meaning take when talking about making a photograph.
avant avant means “before” and places the action of using the suitcase after the proposed photo. In avant de l'utiliser, it introduces an action expressed by an infinitive. Use it to establish that one action happens earlier than another.
l'utiliser l'utiliser means “to use it”; l' refers to the suitcase and utiliser means “use.” In avant de l'utiliser, it identifies the action that will happen after the photo. Use this structure when an object pronoun comes before an infinitive.
montrerait montrerait means “would show” here and presents the photo as something that would make the suitcase’s condition clear. It expresses an expected result rather than a firm statement that the result has already occurred. Use it to describe a possible or useful result.
clairement clairement means “clearly” and explains how the photo would show the suitcase’s condition. It modifies montrerait. Use it with a verb when emphasizing that something is easy to understand or see.
son son means “its” here and links état to the suitcase. It identifies the condition as belonging to the suitcase. Use son before a singular noun when expressing possession of that thing.
état état means “condition” or “state” here, referring to the suitcase’s physical condition before it is used. It appears in son état. Use it when describing the condition something is in.
nous nous means “we” or “us”; in pour nous deux, it refers to both people in the agreement. After pour, it has the meaning “for us.” Use it to refer to the speaker together with one or more other people.
deux deux means “two” and specifies that nous refers to the two people involved. In pour nous deux, it emphasizes that the photo will make the condition clear for both of them. Use it after a noun or pronoun when identifying a pair.
te te refers to the person addressed informally. In te la rendrai and te la rapporter, it marks the person receiving the suitcase; in S'il te plaît and te pose problème, it refers to that same person in the request or difficulty. Use it as an informal object pronoun before a verb.
rendrai rendrai means “I will return” or “I will give back” in te la rendrai. It describes the speaker’s promise to return the suitcase to the other person after coming back. Use it for returning something to its owner or to the person who lent it.
lendemain lendemain means “following day” or “next day” in le lendemain de mon retour. It identifies the day on which the suitcase will be returned. Use it in a time expression referring to the day after an event.
retour retour means “return” or “coming back” in mon retour. Here it refers to the speaker’s return from the trip. Use it as a noun when talking about someone coming back or a return journey.
S'il te plaît S'il te plaît means “please” in this informal request. S'il introduces the condition, te indicates the person concerned, and plaît means “pleases”; together they form the polite request expression. Use it when asking one person informally to do something.
essuie essuie means “wipe” here and gives the informal instruction to wipe the suitcase wheels. It is a direct request to the person addressed. Use it before the object that should be wiped.
les les means “the” before the plural noun roues. It refers to the specific wheels of the suitcase. Use les before a plural noun when referring to specific items.
roues roues means “wheels” here, specifically the suitcase wheels that should be wiped before bringing it indoors. It is the object of essuie. Use it when referring to the wheels of a vehicle, suitcase, or other wheeled object.
rentrer rentrer means “to bring or take inside” here, referring to moving the suitcase indoors. In avant de la rentrer, la refers to the suitcase and rentrer remains in the infinitive. Use it when something is moved back or inside, depending on the context.
ferai ferai means “I will do” in ferai cela dehors. Cela refers back to wiping the wheels, so the speaker promises to do that outside. Use it to refer back to an action already mentioned when confirming that you will perform it.
dehors dehors means “outside” and identifies where the speaker will wipe the wheels. It contrasts with bringing the suitcase inside afterward. Use it with an action to specify that it happens outdoors.
rapporter rapporter means “to bring back” or “to return” here, referring to bringing the suitcase back to the person who lent it. In te la rapporter, te identifies the recipient and la identifies the suitcase. Use it when physically bringing an item back to someone or somewhere.
Dis-moi Dis-moi means “tell me” or “let me know” in the informal instruction about the handle. Dis gives the instruction to tell, and moi identifies the person who should receive the information. Use it before si when asking someone to report whether a situation occurs.
si si means “if” here and introduces the condition that the handle causes trouble during the trip. It connects that possible situation with the request to let the speaker know. Use it before a clause describing a condition.
pose pose contributes the idea of causing or presenting a problem in te pose problème. The complete expression means that the handle gives the person trouble, not that it physically places a problem. Use it with problème when describing something that causes difficulty.
problème problème means “problem” or “trouble” in te pose problème. It names the difficulty the handle might cause during the trip. Use it in the expression with pose when saying that something causes a problem.
pendant pendant means “during” and introduces the period in which the handle might cause trouble: the trip. It places an event within a time period. Use it before a noun or event to say when something happens.

Grammar Points

Je + verbe au futur simple en -ai

Je rendrai la valise le lendemain.

zhuh rahn-druh-RAY lah vah-LEEZ luh lahn-duh-MAN

I will return the suitcase the following day.

The first-person singular future often ends in -ai. The subject pronoun je is required.

Fais attention à + nom

Fais attention à la valise.

fayz ah-tahn-SYOHN ah lah vah-LEEZ

Be careful with the suitcase.

This fixed imperative expression uses à before the thing requiring care; the subject tu is omitted.

French Vocabulary

à l'esprit phrase
ah LESS-PREE in mind
emprunter verb
ahn-pruhn-TRAY to borrow
fais attention à phrase
fayz ah-tahn-SYOHN ah be careful with
fragile adj
frah-ZHEEL fragile
garderai verb
gar-duh-RAY will keep
moyenne adj
mwah-YEN medium
poignée noun
p wah-NYAY handle
prochaine adj
proh-SHEN next
semaine noun
suh-MEN week
taille noun
TYE size
valise noun
vah-LEEZ suitcase
voyage noun
vwah-YAHZH trip

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

next

Show Answerprochaine

medium

Show Answermoyenne

suitcase

Show Answervalise

trip

Show Answervoyage