Borrowing a drill and discussing safety | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a shared living space, one adult borrows a drill for a shelf and gets safety advice about the wall, wires, and returning the parts..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a drill and discussing safety to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Est-ce que je peux emprunter ta perceuse pour installer une petite étagère ?

ess-kuh zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-TEH tah pehr-SUHZ poor ahn-stah-LAY ühn puh-TEET ay-tah-ZHEHR Could I borrow your drill to put up a small shelf?
B

Oui, tu peux. Tu as déjà utilisé une perceuse ?

wee, tü puh. tü ah day-ZHAH ü-tee-lee-ZAY ühn pehr-SUHZ You can. Have you used a drill before?
A

Une seule fois, donc des instructions de base m'aideraient.

ühn suhl fwah, dohnk dayz ahn-STRÜK-SYON duh BAHZ mayd-REH Only once, so basic instructions would help.
B

Vérifie d'abord de quel type de mur il s'agit et porte des lunettes de sécurité.

vay-ree-FEE dah-BOR duh kell teep duh mühr eel sah-ZHEE ay port day lü-NET duh say-kü-ree-TAY Check what kind of wall it is first, and wear safety glasses.
A

J'ai aussi peur de toucher des fils électriques.

zhay oh-SEE puhr duh too-SHAY day feelz ay-lehk-TREEK I'm also worried about hitting electrical wires.
B

Utilise ce détecteur avant de percer n'importe où.

ü-tee-LEEZ suh day-tek-TUHR ah-VAHN duh pehr-SAY nahm-PORT oo Use this detector before you drill anywhere.
A

Je passerai le détecteur sur l'endroit avant de marquer les trous.

zhuh pahs-uh-RAY luh day-tek-TUHR sür lahn-DRWAH ah-VAHN duh mar-KAY lay troo I'll scan the spot before I mark the holes.
B

Rapporte la perceuse avec son chargeur et ses embouts, s'il te plaît.

rah-PORT luh pehr-SUHZ ah-VEK sohn shar-ZHUHR ay sayz ahn-BOO, seel tuh PLAY Please bring the drill back with the charger and bits together.
A

Je dépoussiérerai la perceuse avant de te la rendre.

zhuh day-poo-syay-RAY lah pehr-SUHZ ah-VAHN duh tuh lah RAHN-druh I'll clean off the dust before I return it.
B

Prends ton temps ; la sécurité est plus importante que la vitesse.

prahn tohn TAHN; lah say-kü-ree-TAY ay plüz ahn-por-TAHNT kuh lah vee-TESS Take your time with it; safety matters more than speed.

Word by Word

Est-ce que “Est-ce que” turns the following clause into a direct question; here it asks for permission. “Est-ce” provides the question opening, and “que” introduces the clause that is being asked. This pattern is useful before a complete question such as “Est-ce que je peux… ?”.
je “je” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Est-ce que je peux… ?” and “Je passerai…”. It is used before the verb when the speaker describes their own action. A reusable pattern is je + verb.
peux “peux” means “can” or “may” in “je peux emprunter”, so the speaker is asking whether borrowing is allowed. It is the form of pouvoir used with je here. A useful pattern is je peux + infinitive.
emprunter “emprunter” means to borrow the drill temporarily from someone. It appears as an infinitive after “peux” in “je peux emprunter”. A reusable pattern is emprunter + an object, such as a tool.
ta “ta” means “your” when speaking informally to one person, as in “ta perceuse”. It identifies the drill as belonging to the person being addressed. It comes before the feminine singular noun it describes.
perceuse “perceuse” means “drill”, the tool the speaker wants to borrow. In “ta perceuse”, it names the object being requested. It can be reused after a possessive determiner when talking about someone’s drill.
pour “pour” introduces the purpose of borrowing in “pour installer une petite étagère”, meaning “in order to put up a small shelf”. Here it is followed by an infinitive. A useful pattern is pour + infinitive to state a purpose.
installer “installer” means “to install” or “to put up” the shelf. It follows “pour” because the speaker explains the purpose of borrowing the drill. A reusable pattern is installer + an object, such as a shelf.
une “une” introduces one nonspecific feminine singular item in “une petite étagère”, meaning “a small shelf”. It comes before the adjective and noun. A reusable pattern is une + feminine singular noun.
petite “petite” means “small” or “little” and describes the shelf in “une petite étagère”. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “étagère”. It can be placed before a noun when describing a small item.
étagère “étagère” means “shelf”, the object the speaker plans to put up. In “une petite étagère”, it is introduced as one particular type of household object. It can be used after an article and an adjective to name the object being installed.
Oui “Oui” means “yes” and confirms that the speaker allows the other person to borrow the drill. It begins the reply “Oui, tu peux.” It is useful as a direct positive answer to a yes-or-no question.
tu “tu” means “you” when addressing one person informally, as in “tu peux”. It identifies the person receiving permission or advice. A reusable pattern is tu + verb when speaking informally to one person.
as “as” means “have” in the question “Tu as déjà utilisé une perceuse ?”. It is the form of avoir used with tu and helps ask whether the person has used a drill before. It commonly appears with tu in questions about a previous experience.
déjà “déjà” means “already” in “as déjà utilisé”, asking whether the experience has happened before now. It is placed before “utilisé” in this question. A reusable pattern is tu as déjà + a completed action.
utilisé “utilisé” means “used” in “as déjà utilisé une perceuse”, referring to previous use of a drill. It is the form related to utiliser that follows “as” in this construction. A useful pattern is avoir + utilisé + an object when referring to having used something.
seule “seule” emphasizes that the speaker has used the drill on one single occasion in “Une seule fois”. It describes the single occasion expressed by “fois”. The phrase une seule fois is a reusable way to say that something happened only once.
fois “fois” means “time” in the sense of an occasion in “Une seule fois”. Together with “une seule”, it says the drill was used only once. A reusable pattern is une fois for one occasion.
donc “donc” means “so” or “therefore” and connects the limited experience with the request for basic instructions. It introduces the consequence in “donc des instructions de base m'aideraient”. It is useful when drawing a conclusion from what was just said.
des “des” introduces the plural noun “instructions” without specifying an exact number, meaning “some” instructions here. It comes before the plural noun phrase “des instructions de base”. A reusable pattern is des + plural noun when referring to unspecified plural items.
instructions “instructions” means “instructions” or guidance about how to use the drill. In “des instructions de base”, it names the help the speaker is requesting. It can be used with de base to describe introductory guidance.
de In “de base”, “de” links “instructions” with “base”; the whole phrase means “basic” or introductory instructions. It forms the reusable expression noun + de base. Here it does not mean “from” in a physical sense.
base In “de base”, “base” refers to a foundational or introductory level, so “des instructions de base” means basic instructions. The meaning comes from the phrase together, not from “base” alone. The pattern de base can describe something intended for beginners.
m'aideraient “m'aideraient” means “would help me” here: the speaker says that basic instructions would be useful. The initial “m'” is the shortened form of me before aideraient, and the form comes from aider. A reusable pattern is something + m'aiderait or m'aideraient to say that it would help the speaker.
Vérifie “Vérifie” means “check” or “verify” and gives the person an instruction about the wall. It is the direct form used in “Vérifie d'abord…”. A reusable pattern is Vérifie + the thing to be checked.
d'abord “d'abord” means “first” and tells the listener to check the wall before doing the other safety steps. It appears after “Vérifie” in “Vérifie d'abord”. It is useful for ordering the first action in a sequence.
quel “quel” means “which” or “what” in “quel type de mur”, asking for the kind of wall. Its form matches the masculine singular noun “type”. The reusable pattern is quel type de + noun when asking what kind of thing something is.
type “type” means “type” or “kind” in “quel type de mur”. It helps ask which category the wall belongs to. A reusable pattern is type de + noun to specify a kind of thing.
mur “mur” means “wall”, the surface that must be checked before drilling. In “de quel type de mur”, it is the thing whose material or kind is being identified. It can be used after type de when asking about a wall type.
il In “il s'agit”, “il” is part of an impersonal expression about what something is or concerns; it does not refer to a male person here. The full wording “de quel type de mur il s'agit” asks what kind of wall it is. A reusable pattern is il s'agit de + a topic or thing.
s'agit “s'agit” contributes to the expression “il s'agit”, which means that something is about or concerns a particular matter. In “de quel type de mur il s'agit”, the expression identifies what kind of wall is involved. It is normally understood together with il rather than translated alone.
et “et” means “and” and joins the instruction to check the wall with the instruction to wear safety glasses. It connects the two actions in “Vérifie… et porte…”. It is useful for linking two related instructions or actions.
porte “porte” means “wear” or “put on” in the instruction “porte des lunettes de sécurité”. It tells the listener to use protective eyewear while working. A reusable pattern is porte + an item of clothing or protection.
lunettes “lunettes” means “glasses” in “des lunettes de sécurité”. Here it refers to protective eyewear for the drilling task. It is commonly used with a phrase after it that specifies the type or purpose of the glasses.
sécurité In “lunettes de sécurité”, “sécurité” means “safety” and specifies that the glasses are for protection. The phrase de sécurité describes an item intended for safe working. A reusable pattern is noun + de sécurité for safety equipment or precautions.
J'ai “J'ai” means “I have” in the expression “J'ai peur de toucher…”, which communicates “I am afraid of touching…”. It is the form used to express fear with peur. A reusable pattern is J'ai peur de + an action or thing.
aussi “aussi” means “also” in “J'ai aussi peur”, adding another concern to the conversation. It appears after the conjugated verb in this sentence. It is useful when adding a further feeling, problem, or point.
peur “peur” means “fear” in “J'ai peur de toucher des fils électriques”. The meaning “I am afraid” comes from the full expression with J'ai, not from peur alone. A reusable pattern is avoir peur de + an action or thing.
toucher “toucher” means “touch” here, with the feared action being contact with electrical wires while drilling. It follows “de” in “peur de toucher”. A reusable pattern is toucher + an object.
fils “fils” means “wires” in the phrase “fils électriques”. These are the electrical wires the speaker is worried about hitting. It can be combined with an adjective to describe the type of wires.
électriques “électriques” means “electrical” and describes the wires in “fils électriques”. Its plural form matches “fils”. It can follow a noun to identify something as related to electricity.
Utilise “Utilise” means “use” and gives the instruction to use the detector before drilling. It appears in the direct instruction “Utilise ce détecteur”. A reusable pattern is Utilise + the tool or object needed for an action.
ce “ce” means “this” and points to the particular detector being offered in “ce détecteur”. It comes before the masculine singular noun “détecteur”. A reusable pattern is ce + masculine singular noun when identifying a specific nearby item.
détecteur “détecteur” means “detector”, the device used to check for hidden wires. In “ce détecteur”, it names the tool the listener should use. It can follow a demonstrative determiner when pointing out a specific detector.
avant “avant” means “before” and places the scanning action before drilling in “avant de percer”. Here it is followed by de and an infinitive. A reusable pattern is avant de + infinitive for an action that must happen earlier.
percer “percer” means “to drill” or “to make holes” in the wall. It follows “avant de” in “avant de percer n'importe où”. A reusable pattern is percer + a surface or object when describing where holes will be made.
n'importe où “n'importe où” means “anywhere” or “in any place” in “percer n'importe où”. “N'importe” removes the choice of a specific place, while “où” refers to the place; together they form the meaning “anywhere”. This expression is useful when referring to an unrestricted location.
passerai “passerai” means “will pass” in “Je passerai le détecteur sur l'endroit”, referring to moving the detector over the spot. It is the future form related to passer used with je. A reusable pattern is je passerai + an object + sur a surface or spot.
sur “sur” means “on” or “over” in “passerai le détecteur sur l'endroit”. It indicates the area across which the detector will be moved. A reusable pattern is passer an object sur a surface when moving it over that surface.
l'endroit “l'endroit” means “the spot” or “the place” being checked before the holes are marked. It identifies a specific location in “sur l'endroit”. It is useful when referring to the exact place where an action will happen.
marquer “marquer” means “to mark” the positions of the holes. It follows “avant de” in “avant de marquer les trous”, so marking comes after scanning. A reusable pattern is marquer + an object or position.
les “les” means “the” before the plural noun “trous” in “les trous”. It indicates that the holes are the specific ones planned for the shelf. A reusable pattern is les + plural noun when the listener can identify the items.
trous “trous” means “holes”, specifically the holes that will be marked for the shelf. In “marquer les trous”, it is the object of the marking action. It can be used with a verb describing making, marking, or checking holes.
Rapporte “Rapporte” means “bring back” or “return” and gives an informal instruction to return the drill. It appears at the beginning of “Rapporte la perceuse…”. A reusable pattern is Rapporte + an object when asking someone to bring something back.
avec “avec” means “with” and requires the charger and bits to accompany the returned drill in “avec son chargeur et ses embouts”. It links the main object with the items that should come along with it. It is useful for specifying what should be included with something.
son “son” means “its” here in “son chargeur”, referring to the charger belonging with the drill. Its form matches the masculine singular noun “chargeur”, not the gender of the owner. A reusable pattern is son + masculine singular noun for one person’s or thing’s item.
chargeur “chargeur” means “charger”, the charging device that should be returned with the drill. In “son chargeur”, it is presented as belonging with the drill. It can be listed with other accessories that accompany a tool.
ses “ses” means “its” here before the plural noun “embouts”, referring to the drill’s bits. Its plural form matches the things possessed. A reusable pattern is ses + plural noun when one person or thing has several items.
embouts “embouts” means “bits” or drill bits, the interchangeable pieces that should be returned with the drill. It appears in the list “son chargeur et ses embouts”. It can be used to name accessories belonging with a tool.
s'il te plaît “s'il te plaît” means “please” and softens the request to bring back the drill and its parts. “S'il” is the shortened form of si + il, “te” refers to the person being addressed, and “plaît” contributes the meaning “pleases”; together the expression functions as please. It is commonly placed at the end of an informal request.
dépoussiérerai “dépoussiérerai” means “will dust off” or “will remove the dust from” the drill. It describes the speaker’s planned action before returning it. The form comes from dépoussiérer and can be reused with an object that needs dust removed.
la “la” means “it” here and refers back to the feminine noun perceuse in “te la rendre”. It is a feminine singular object pronoun placed before the infinitive rendre. A reusable pattern is la + infinitive when referring to returning or handling a feminine object.
rendre “rendre” means “to return” or “to give back” in “te la rendre”, meaning to return the drill to the other person. It follows “avant de” in the full phrase “avant de te la rendre”. A reusable pattern is rendre an object à someone.
Prends “Prends” means “take” in “Prends ton temps”, the expression used to tell someone not to hurry. It is an informal direct instruction related to prendre. The phrase Prends ton temps is a reusable way to encourage careful, unhurried action.
ton “ton” means “your” when speaking informally to one person, as in “ton temps”. It comes before the masculine singular noun temps. A reusable pattern is ton + masculine singular noun for one person’s item or concept.
temps “temps” means “time” in the expression “Prends ton temps”. Together, the phrase means “take your time” and encourages the person to work without rushing. It is useful when advising someone to proceed patiently.
est “est” means “is” and links “la sécurité” with “plus importante” in “la sécurité est plus importante que la vitesse”. It states a comparison between safety and speed. A reusable pattern is subject + est + a description or comparison.
plus “plus” means “more” in the comparison “plus importante que la vitesse”. It increases the degree of importance assigned to safety. A reusable pattern is plus + adjective + que when comparing two things.
importante “importante” means “important” and describes “la sécurité” in “la sécurité est plus importante”. Its feminine singular form matches sécurité. It can be used after être to describe the importance of a feminine singular noun.
que “que” means “than” in the comparison “plus importante que la vitesse”. It introduces the second thing being compared with safety. A reusable pattern is plus + adjective + que + the comparison point.
vitesse “vitesse” means “speed”, the second point in the comparison with safety. In “plus importante que la vitesse”, it represents working quickly. It can be used after que in a comparison involving speed.

Grammar Points

pouvoir + infinitif

Je peux emprunter la perceuse.

zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-TAY lah pehr-SUHZ

I can borrow the drill.

Pouvoir is followed directly by an infinitive. The form peux is used with je.

Impératif affirmatif

Vérifie d'abord les fils électriques.

vay-ree-FEE dah-BOR lay feelz ay-lehk-TREEK

Check the electrical wires first.

The imperative gives a direct instruction. With tu, the verb usually has no subject pronoun.

French Vocabulary

aider verb
ay-DAY to help m'aideraient

des instructions de base m'aideraient

base noun
bahz basis; basic foundation

de base

emprunter verb
ahn-pruhn-TAY to borrow

Je peux emprunter ta perceuse.

étagère noun
ay-tah-ZHEHR shelf

une petite étagère

installer verb
ahn-stah-LAY to install; to put up

installer une petite étagère

instruction noun
ahn-STRÜK-SYON instruction instructions

des instructions de base

perceuse noun
pehr-SUHZ drill

ta perceuse

petit adj
puh-TEE small petite

une petite étagère

pouvoir verb
poo-VWAHR can; to be able to peux

Est-ce que je peux emprunter ta perceuse ?

seul adj
suhl only; alone seule

Une seule fois

utiliser verb
ü-tee-lee-ZAY to use utilisé

Tu as déjà utilisé une perceuse ?

vérifier verb
vay-ree-FYAY to check Vérifie

Vérifie d'abord de quel type de mur il s'agit.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

small

Show Answerpetite

to use

Show Answerutilisé

can; to be able to

Show Answerpeux

shelf

Show Answerétagère