Reserve a study room and follow the rules | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At a library desk, one adult reserves a study room for a group project and confirms the key and timing rules..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Reserve a study room and follow the rules to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

J'aimerais réserver une salle d'étude pour un projet de groupe.

zheh-MEH-ray ray-zair-VAY ahn SAL day-TEWD poor uhn proh-ZHAY duh GROOP I'd like to reserve a study room for a group project.
B

De quelle taille avez-vous besoin ?

duh KEL TAH-y ah-vay-VOO buh-ZWAN What size room do you need?
B

Quand voulez-vous l'utiliser ?

kahn voo-LAY-VOO loo-tee-lee-ZAY When do you want to use it?
A

Nous avons besoin d'une salle calme cet après-midi pour quatre personnes.

noo zah-VON buh-ZWAN doon SAL KALM set ah-pray-mee-DEE poor KAT puh-R-SON We need a quiet room this afternoon for four people.
B

Il y en a une de disponible cet après-midi pour deux heures.

eel yah nah YUN duh dee-spoh-NEEBL set ah-pray-mee-DEE poor duh ZUR There is one available for two hours this afternoon.
A

Cela nous laisse assez de temps pour revoir les diapositives et décider qui présentera chaque partie.

suh-LAH noo LESS ah-SAY duh TAHN poor ruh-VWAR lay dee-ah-poh-zee-TEEV ay day-see-DAY kee pray-zahn-tuh-RAH SHACK par-TEE That gives us enough time to review the slides and decide who will present each part.
B

Je vais la réserver sur votre compte de bibliothèque.

zhuh vay lah ray-zair-VAY sewr VO-truh KOHNT duh bee-blee-oh-TEK I'll reserve it under your library account.
B

Vous pouvez l'annuler en ligne si vos plans changent.

voo poo-VAY lah ah-nyoo-LAY ahn LEEN see voh PLAHN SHAHNJ You can cancel online if plans change.
A

Est-ce qu'on récupère la clé à ce bureau ?

ess koh(n) ray-kyoo-PAIR lah KLAY ah suh byoo-ROH Do we pick up the key at this desk?
B

Récupérez-la ici, puis rapportez-la avant le début de la prochaine réservation.

ray-kyoo-pay-LAH ee-SEE pwee rah-por-TAY-LAH ah-VAHN luh day-BUH duh lah proh-SHEN ray-zair-vah-SYON Pick it up here, then return it before the next booking starts.
A

Nous garderons la salle propre et nous partirons à l'heure.

noo gar-duh-RON lah SAL PROH-pruh ay noo par-tee-RON ah LUR We'll keep the room clean and leave on time.
B

Comme ça, le groupe suivant pourra commencer sans attendre.

kohm sah luh GROOP swee-VAHN poo-RAH koh-mahn-SAY sahn zah-TAHN-druh That way, the next group can start without waiting.

Word by Word

J'aimerais "J'aimerais" politely expresses a wish to do something: here, the speaker would like to reserve a room. It is commonly reused with an infinitive, as in "J'aimerais réserver" when making a polite request.
réserver "réserver" means to reserve or book the study room. It follows "J'aimerais" as the action the speaker wishes to carry out; reuse "réserver" with a room, place, or appointment.
une "une" introduces "salle" as one feminine room: "une salle d'étude". Reuse "une" before a singular feminine noun when referring to one nonspecific thing.
salle "salle" means room here, specifically a room used for studying. The useful expression is "une salle d'étude"; use "salle" for a room in a building or public place.
d'étude "d'étude" identifies the room as being for study: "une salle d'étude" means a study room. It is formed with "de" before "étude" and follows the noun it describes.
pour "pour" introduces the purpose or intended use here: the room is reserved "pour un projet de groupe". Reuse "pour" before a noun or infinitive to say what something is for.
un "un" introduces one masculine project in "un projet de groupe". Reuse "un" before a singular masculine noun when referring to one nonspecific thing.
projet "projet" means project, here a group project. The expression "un projet de groupe" identifies a project carried out by a group; use "projet" for planned work or an assignment.
de In "De quelle taille", "De" is part of the question asking what size is needed; in "projet de groupe", "de" links the project to the group. Reuse "de" in noun relationships such as "un projet de groupe" and in the question pattern "De quelle taille".
groupe "groupe" means group in "un projet de groupe", a project done by several people together. Reuse "groupe" after "de" to identify the group connected with an activity or project.
quelle "quelle" asks which or what kind in the feminine phrase "De quelle taille". It agrees with the feminine noun "taille"; reuse "quelle" before a singular feminine noun in a question.
taille "taille" means size here, referring to the size of the room needed. The reusable question pattern is "De quelle taille avez-vous besoin ?" when asking what size is required.
avez "avez" expresses having in "avez-vous besoin", the French construction used to ask what someone needs. Reuse "avoir besoin de" for a need, including with a noun or an infinitive.
vous "vous" refers to the person being addressed formally or to more than one person. In "avez-vous besoin", it is the person whose need is being asked about; use "vous" when speaking politely at a service desk.
besoin "besoin" means need in the expression "avoir besoin". The reliable pattern is "avoir besoin de" something, as in "avoir besoin d'une salle".
Quand "Quand" asks when the room will be used. It commonly begins a question about the time of an action, as in "Quand voulez-vous l'utiliser ?".
voulez "voulez" expresses what the addressed person wants to do in "voulez-vous l'utiliser". Reuse it with an infinitive when asking politely what someone wants to do.
l'utiliser "l'utiliser" means to use it, with "l'" referring here to the room and "utiliser" naming the action. Reuse "vouloir l'utiliser" when talking about wanting to use a previously mentioned object or place.
Nous "Nous" refers to the group of people making the reservation in "Nous avons besoin" and to the same group in "nous laisse". Use "nous" for we or us depending on whether it performs the action or receives it.
avons "avons" expresses having in "Nous avons besoin d'une salle", meaning that the group needs a room. Reuse "nous avons besoin de" to state what the group requires.
d'une "d'une" introduces the feminine noun "salle" after "avons besoin de": "besoin d'une salle" means needing a room. It is the form used before a feminine singular noun in this pattern.
calme "calme" describes the room as quiet in "une salle calme". Reuse it after a noun to describe a quiet place, person, or environment when that meaning fits the context.
cet "cet" points to the specific afternoon in "cet après-midi", meaning this afternoon. It is used here before the singular noun "après-midi", which begins with a vowel sound.
après-midi "après-midi" means afternoon in "cet après-midi". Reuse it with a time expression such as "cet après-midi" when referring to the afternoon of the current day.
personnes "personnes" means people here and gives the number of users needed for the room: "pour quatre personnes". Reuse "pour" plus a number and "personnes" when stating how many people something is intended for.
Il "Il" is part of the impersonal availability expression "Il y en a une de disponible", meaning that one is available. In this expression, it does not refer to a particular male person.
y "y" contributes the idea of existence or availability in "Il y en a une de disponible". Reuse the pattern "Il y a" to say that something exists or is present in a place or situation.
en "en" refers back to the rooms already being discussed in "Il y en a une", meaning there is one of them. Reuse "en" to refer to some or one of something previously introduced when the noun does not need to be repeated.
a "a" is the form used in "Il y en a" to express that something is available or present. The reusable expression is "Il y a", used to introduce something that exists or is located somewhere.
disponible "disponible" means available here, describing the room that can be used. Reuse "être disponible" when saying that a room, time, or resource can be used.
heures "heures" means hours in "pour deux heures", giving the duration of the room's availability. Reuse a number plus "heures" to state how long an activity or reservation lasts.
Cela "Cela" refers to the two-hour availability and says that it gives the group enough time. Reuse "Cela nous laisse" to explain what a situation or amount of time allows someone to do.
laisse "laisse" means leaves or gives in "Cela nous laisse assez de temps", describing the time made available for an activity. Reuse "laisser assez de temps pour" followed by an action.
assez "assez" means enough in "assez de temps", indicating that the available time is sufficient. Reuse "assez de" before a noun when saying that there is a sufficient amount of something.
temps "temps" means time in "assez de temps pour revoir les diapositives". Reuse "avoir assez de temps pour" or "laisser assez de temps pour" when discussing time available for an action.
revoir "revoir" means to review the slides, with the idea of looking at them again. It follows "pour" as an infinitive; reuse "pour revoir" to state that an available period is intended for reviewing something.
les "les" introduces the plural noun "diapositives" in "les diapositives", referring to the slides already relevant to the project. Reuse "les" before plural nouns when referring to specific items.
diapositives "diapositives" means slides, here the slides for the group presentation. Reuse it with a presentation or project when referring to visual pages shown to an audience.
et "et" joins the two planned activities: reviewing the slides and deciding who will present. Reuse "et" to connect words, phrases, or actions of equal importance.
décider "décider" means to decide who will present each part. It follows "pour" alongside "revoir"; reuse "décider de" for deciding on an action or "décider qui" when choosing a person.
qui "qui" introduces the question of which person will present each part in "décider qui présentera chaque partie". Reuse "qui" to identify the person responsible for an action.
présentera "présentera" says who will present each part, referring to a future presentation. Reuse "qui présentera" when assigning a future presentation role.
chaque "chaque" means each and distributes the presentation across the individual parts in "chaque partie". Reuse "chaque" before a singular noun when considering items one by one.
partie "partie" means part or section here, referring to one section of the presentation. Reuse "chaque partie" when dividing a larger task or presentation into sections.
Je "Je" refers to the library employee who will make the reservation in "Je vais la réserver". Use "je" as the subject when stating what you yourself are going to do.
vais "vais" combines with "réserver" in "Je vais la réserver" to express an action that is about to be carried out. Reuse "je vais" plus an infinitive when announcing what you are going to do.
la "la" refers back to the feminine room in "Je vais la réserver". It is placed before the infinitive in this construction; reuse it for a feminine object already known from the conversation.
sur "sur" means under or on in the account context "sur votre compte de bibliothèque", indicating where the reservation is recorded. Reuse "sur un compte" when describing information or an action associated with an account.
votre "votre" means your and refers politely to the addressed person's library account. Reuse "votre" before a singular noun when speaking formally to one person or to several people.
compte "compte" means account in "votre compte de bibliothèque", the account used for the reservation. Reuse "compte" with a service or organization when referring to a user's registered account.
bibliothèque "bibliothèque" means library in "compte de bibliothèque". Reuse it for the institution where books, study spaces, or library services are provided.
pouvez "pouvez" expresses permission or ability in "Vous pouvez l'annuler", meaning that the person can cancel it. Reuse "pouvoir" with an infinitive to say what someone can or may do.
l'annuler "l'annuler" means to cancel it, with "l'" referring to the reservation. Reuse "pouvoir l'annuler" when explaining that a previously mentioned booking or arrangement can be canceled.
ligne "ligne" appears in the fixed expression "en ligne", which means online here. Reuse "en ligne" for an action completed through a website or digital service.
si "si" introduces the condition that the plans change in "si vos plans changent". Reuse "si" to state what happens or can be done under a particular condition.
vos "vos" means your and modifies the plural noun "plans". Reuse "vos" before a plural noun when addressing one person formally or addressing several people.
plans "plans" means plans in "si vos plans changent", referring to the group's arrangements. Reuse it when talking about arrangements that may be modified.
changent "changent" means change in the condition "si vos plans changent". Reuse it with a plural subject when saying that arrangements or circumstances change.
Est-ce "Est-ce" is the fixed question marker in "Est-ce qu'on récupère la clé à ce bureau ?", turning the following statement into a yes-or-no question. It is formed from the components "Est" and "ce" and is used as a whole at the start of a question.
qu'on "qu'on" introduces the clause "qu'on récupère", with "que" shortened before "on". Here "on" refers to the group asking whether they pick up the key; reuse "Est-ce qu'on" to ask whether we or someone generally does an action.
récupère "récupère" means picks up or retrieves the key in the question "qu'on récupère la clé". Reuse "récupérer" with an object when asking or explaining where something is collected.
clé "clé" means key, specifically the key for the study room. Reuse "la clé" when referring to a particular key already identified in the situation.
à "à" marks the location in "à ce bureau", meaning at this desk. Reuse "à" before a place when saying where an action takes place or where something is collected.
bureau "bureau" means desk here, specifically the library service desk. Reuse "bureau" for a desk or office, depending on the surrounding context.
Récupérez "Récupérez" gives the formal or plural instruction to pick up the key in "Récupérez-la ici". Use this type of direct instruction at a service point when telling someone to collect an item.
ici "ici" means here and identifies the place where the key should be picked up. Reuse it to point to the speaker's current location, as in "Récupérez-la ici".
puis "puis" means then and orders the second action after picking up the key. Reuse "puis" to connect two actions in sequence.
rapportez "rapportez" instructs the addressed person or people to bring the key back in "rapportez-la". Reuse it with an object when giving an instruction to return something to a place.
avant "avant" means before and sets the deadline in "avant le début de la prochaine réservation". Reuse "avant" plus a noun phrase to state that an action must happen earlier than an event.
le "le" introduces the specific masculine noun "début" in "le début de la prochaine réservation". Reuse "le" before a singular masculine noun when referring to a particular thing.
début "début" means beginning or start, here the start of the next reservation. Reuse "le début de" to identify when an event or period begins.
prochaine "prochaine" means next or upcoming and describes the feminine noun "réservation". Reuse it before a feminine noun when referring to the next event of that type.
réservation "réservation" means reservation or booking, here the next booking for the room. Reuse it for an arrangement that holds a place, room, or service for someone.
garderons "garderons" says that the group will keep the room in a particular condition in "Nous garderons la salle propre". Reuse "garder" with an object and an adjective when promising to maintain something in that condition.
propre "propre" means clean in "garderons la salle propre". Reuse "garder quelque chose propre" when saying that an object or place should remain clean.
partirons "partirons" says that the group will leave in "nous partirons à l'heure". Reuse it with a time expression when promising or stating when people will leave.
à l'heure "à l'heure" means on time in "nous partirons à l'heure"; the whole expression combines "à" and "l'heure". Reuse "être" or "partir à l'heure" when saying that someone is punctual or leaves at the planned time.
Comme "Comme" means that way in the expression "Comme ça", which introduces the consequence of following the room rules. Reuse "Comme ça" to explain how an action will produce a useful result.
ça "ça" refers to the actions just mentioned, especially keeping the room clean and leaving on time, in "Comme ça". Reuse "Comme ça" in conversation to mean that way or in that manner.
suivant "suivant" means following or next in "le groupe suivant", identifying the group scheduled after the current one. Reuse it after a noun to refer to the next person, group, or item in a sequence.
pourra "pourra" says that the next group will be able to start. Reuse "pourra" with an infinitive to describe a future possibility or ability.
commencer "commencer" means to start, here referring to the next group's activity. It follows "pourra" as an infinitive; reuse "pouvoir commencer" when saying that someone will be able to begin.
sans "sans" means without and introduces the action that will not be necessary in "sans attendre". Reuse "sans" with an infinitive to say that something happens without another action taking place.
attendre "attendre" means to wait in "sans attendre", explaining that the next group can start immediately. Reuse "sans attendre" when emphasizing that no waiting is needed.

Grammar Points

Avez-vous besoin de + nom ?

Avez-vous besoin de la salle ?

ah-vay-VOO buh-ZWAN duh lah SAL

Do you need the room?

French forms a formal question by placing the conjugated verb before the subject pronoun: avez-vous.

prochain/prochaine + nom

la prochaine réservation

lah proh-SHEN ray-zair-vah-SYON

the next booking

Adjectives agree with the noun’s gender; prochaine is feminine to agree with réservation.

French Vocabulary

avoir besoin de phrase
ah-VWAR buh-ZWAN duh to need avez-vous besoin de

De quelle taille avez-vous besoin ?

calme adj
KALM quiet

une salle calme

cet après-midi phrase
set ah-pray-mee-DEE this afternoon

cet après-midi

disponible adj
dees-poh-NEEBL available

une de disponible

étude noun
ay-TEWD study

une salle d'étude

groupe noun
GROOP group

un projet de groupe

projet noun
proh-ZHAY project

un projet de groupe

réserver verb
ray-zair-VAY to reserve

J'aimerais réserver une salle d'étude.

salle noun
SAL room

une salle d'étude

taille noun
TAH-y size

De quelle taille avez-vous besoin ?

utiliser verb
ew-tee-lee-ZAY to use

l'utiliser

vouloir verb
voo-LWAR to want voulez

Quand voulez-vous l'utiliser ?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

What size room do you need?

Show AnswerDe quelle taille avez-vous besoin ?

When do you want to use it?

Show AnswerQuand voulez-vous l'utiliser ?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to reserve

Show Answerréserver

study

Show Answerétude

room

Show Answersalle

project

Show Answerprojet