About This Lesson
Use Responding to a coffee spill on a laptop to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
J'ai renversé du café près de mon ordinateur portable, et du liquide est passé sous le clavier.
zhay rahn-vair-SAY dü kah-FAY pray duh mohn or-dee-nah-TUR por-TAH-bluh, ay dü lee-KEED eh pah-SAY soo luh kla-VYAY. I spilled coffee near my laptop, and some liquid went under the keyboard.
B
Débranche-le tout de suite et éteins-le s'il fonctionne encore.
day-BRAHNSH-luh too duh SWEET ay ay-TEHN-luh seel fohnk-SYON ahn-KOR. Unplug it immediately and turn it off if it is still running.
A
Est-ce que je devrais essayer de le sécher avec un sèche-cheveux ?
ess-kuh zhuh duh-VRAY ay-say-YAY duh luh say-SHAY ah-VEK uhn sehsh-shuh-VUH? Should I try to dry it with a hair dryer?
B
La chaleur peut causer davantage de dégâts. Laisse un technicien le vérifier.
lah shah-LUR puh koh-ZAY dah-vahn-TAHZH duh day-GAH. less uhn tek-nee-SYEN luh vay-ree-FYAY. Heat can cause more damage. Let a technician check it.
A
Je suis inquiet parce que mes fichiers de projet sont dessus.
zhuh swee ehn-KYAY pahrs-kuh may fee-SHYAY duh proh-ZHAY sohn duh-SOO. I am worried because my project files are on it.
B
Vérifie ta sauvegarde dans le cloud depuis un autre appareil avant de toucher à nouveau à l'ordinateur portable.
vay-ree-FY ta soh-vuh-GAHRD dahn luh KLOWD duh-PWEE uhn OH-truh ah-pah-RAY ah-VAHN duh too-SHAY ah noo-VOH ah lohr-dee-nah-TUR por-TAH-bluh. Check your cloud backup from another device before you touch the laptop again.
A
La plupart des fichiers étaient déjà synchronisés.
lah ploo-PAHR day fee-SHYAY ay-TAY day-ZHAH sehn-kroh-nee-ZAY. Most of the files were already synced.
B
Laisse l'ordinateur portable éteint et n'essaie pas de le rallumer trop tôt.
less lohr-dee-nah-TUR por-TAH-bluh ay-TEHN ay nay-SAY pah duh luh rah-loo-MAY troh TOH. Keep the laptop off, and do not try to start it too soon.
A
Je vais l'apporter à un technicien et lui demander quelle est la prochaine étape.
zhuh vay lah-por-TAY ah uhn tek-nee-SYEN ay lwee duh-mahn-DAY kel ay lah proh-SHEN ay-TAHP. I will take it to a technician and ask about the next step.
B
Un technicien peut le vérifier sans aggraver les dégâts.
uhn tek-nee-SYEN puh luh vay-ree-FYAY sahn ah-grah-VAY lay day-GAH. A technician can check it without making the damage worse.Word by Word
J'ai
Here, 'J'ai' introduces the speaker as the subject of a completed action and combines with 'renversé' to report the spill. It is used at the beginning of a statement about something the speaker has done.
renversé
In 'J'ai renversé du café', 'renversé' means spilled or knocked over. Together with 'J'ai', it reports the completed spill. A reusable pattern is this verb followed by the thing that was spilled.
du
In 'du café' and 'du liquide', 'du' means some and presents an unspecified amount of a substance. It is used before a mass noun when referring to part of it.
café
'Café' means coffee, the liquid that was spilled. It appears in the expression 'du café'. You can use it when naming coffee as a drink or as part of a situation involving a spill.
près
'Près' means near and places the spill close to the laptop. In 'près de mon ordinateur portable', it is followed by 'de' before the place or object. The same pattern is useful for describing the location of something.
de
In 'près de mon ordinateur portable', 'de' links 'près' to the object whose location is being described. This is the preposition used after 'près' before a place or object.
mon
'Mon' means my and shows that the laptop belongs to the speaker. It comes before 'ordinateur portable' here. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to the speaker.
ordinateur
In 'ordinateur portable', 'ordinateur' means computer. Together with 'portable', the expression means laptop. It is useful when identifying the device involved in the problem.
portable
In 'ordinateur portable', 'portable' identifies the computer as portable, giving the meaning laptop. The expression 'ordinateur portable' is the reusable way to refer to this device.
et
'Et' means and and links the statement about spilling coffee with the statement about liquid moving under the keyboard. It is used to join related words, actions, or clauses.
liquide
'Liquide' means liquid and is the substance that moved under the keyboard. It appears in 'du liquide'. This word is useful when the exact type of liquid is not specified.
est
In 'est passé sous le clavier', 'est' works with 'passé' to describe the completed movement of the liquid. Here it helps form the past statement about what happened.
passé
In 'est passé sous le clavier', 'passé' means went or passed. It describes the liquid moving under the keyboard. The expression is useful for describing something that moved beneath an object.
sous
'Sous' means under and describes where the liquid went in relation to the keyboard. It is followed by the object in 'sous le clavier'. Use it to describe a position beneath something.
le
In 'le clavier', 'le' means the. In 'le vérifier', it means it as the object being checked, so the exact form has two functions in this dialogue.
clavier
'Clavier' means keyboard, the part of the laptop beneath which the liquid moved. It appears in 'sous le clavier'. Use it when referring to a computer keyboard.
Débranche-le
'Débranche-le' means unplug it and gives a direct instruction to disconnect the laptop from power. The form places 'le' after the command and refers to the laptop. It is useful when giving an immediate instruction about disconnecting a device.
tout de suite
In 'Débranche-le tout de suite', 'tout' adds emphasis, while 'de suite' expresses immediate sequence; together, 'tout de suite' means immediately. It is useful after an instruction when the action must happen without delay.
éteins-le
'Éteins-le' means turn it off and gives a direct instruction about the laptop. The pronoun 'le' is attached to the command. It is useful when telling someone to switch a device off.
s'il
'S'il' means if it and is the contraction of 'si' and 'il'. In 's'il fonctionne encore', it introduces the condition that the laptop may still be running. Use it before a verb when stating a condition about it.
fonctionne
In 's'il fonctionne encore', 'fonctionne' means is working or running. It describes the laptop's current operating state. The expression is useful when checking whether a device still works.
encore
In 'fonctionne encore', 'encore' means still and shows that the laptop may continue to be running. It is useful for describing a state that has continued up to the present moment.
Est-ce que
'Est-ce que' is a question marker. The parts 'Est-ce' frame the question and 'que' connects that frame to the clause; together they introduce a neutral yes-or-no question. Here it is used to ask for advice.
je
In 'Est-ce que je devrais essayer...', 'je' means I and is the subject of the question. It identifies the speaker as the person considering the action.
devrais
'Devrais' means should in 'Est-ce que je devrais essayer de le sécher'. It asks whether the proposed action is advisable. It is followed here by the infinitive 'essayer', a useful pattern for asking what one ought to do.
essayer
'Essayer' means try and follows 'devrais' in the question. In 'essayer de le sécher', it introduces an action that the speaker is considering. The pattern is useful for talking about attempting an action.
sécher
In 'le sécher', 'sécher' means dry and refers to drying the laptop. It follows 'essayer de' here. This pattern is useful when describing an attempt to dry something.
avec
'Avec' means with and introduces the tool the speaker proposes using in 'avec un sèche-cheveux'. It is useful for stating what instrument or method is used for an action.
un
In 'un sèche-cheveux', 'un' means a or an and introduces one unspecified device. It is used before the singular noun in this expression.
sèche-cheveux
The compound 'sèche-cheveux' means hair dryer. 'Sèche' refers to drying and 'cheveux' refers to hair; together they name the device. It appears in 'avec un sèche-cheveux', where it is proposed as the tool for drying.
La
In 'La chaleur', 'La' means the and introduces the specific heat being discussed. It is used before the noun 'chaleur'.
chaleur
'Chaleur' means heat and is presented as something that can cause additional damage. It appears in 'La chaleur peut causer davantage de dégâts'. Use it when discussing heat as a possible cause or condition.
peut
'Peut' means can or may and expresses the possibility that heat will cause more damage. It is followed by the infinitive 'causer'. The pattern is useful for describing what something may do.
causer
'Causer' means cause and follows 'peut' in the warning. The expression 'causer davantage de dégâts' means cause more damage. It is useful for describing an action or condition that produces harm.
davantage
In 'davantage de dégâts', 'davantage' means more and increases the amount of damage being discussed. It is followed here by 'de' and the noun 'dégâts'. Use it to express a greater amount.
dégâts
'Dégâts' means damage or harm. In 'causer davantage de dégâts' and 'aggraver les dégâts', it refers to the harm that could result from handling the laptop incorrectly. These expressions are useful when warning that a problem could become worse.
Laisse
In 'Laisse un technicien le vérifier', 'Laisse' means let and gives permission or instruction for another person to perform an action. The pattern places the person after 'Laisse' and the action after that person.
technicien
'Technicien' means technician, the person who can inspect the damaged laptop. It appears in 'un technicien' and 'à un technicien'. Use it when referring to a person who provides technical repair or inspection.
vérifier
In 'le vérifier', 'vérifier' means check or examine. Here it refers to examining the laptop to assess its condition. It also follows 'Laisse un technicien', showing who is allowed to do the checking.
suis
In 'Je suis inquiet', 'suis' means am and links the speaker to the state 'inquiet'. The pattern 'Je suis' is used to describe the speaker's current condition or feeling.
inquiet
'Inquiet' describes the speaker as worried about the project files. It appears in 'Je suis inquiet parce que...', where the reason for the worry follows. This is useful for explaining concern about a situation.
parce que
'Parce que' means because and introduces the reason for the speaker's worry. The parts 'parce' and 'que' form one fixed connector. It is useful for linking a feeling or statement to its explanation.
mes
'Mes' means my and identifies the files as belonging to the speaker. It appears before the plural noun 'fichiers'. Use it before plural nouns when referring to things belonging to the speaker.
fichiers
'Fichiers' means files, specifically the speaker's project files in this dialogue. It appears in 'mes fichiers de projet'. Use it when referring to saved digital documents or data.
projet
In 'fichiers de projet', 'projet' means project and identifies what the files are related to. The expression is useful when specifying the type or purpose of files.
sont
In 'mes fichiers de projet sont dessus', 'sont' means are and states where the files are located. It links the files to 'dessus', which refers to the laptop.
dessus
In 'sont dessus', 'dessus' means on it or there and refers to the laptop as the place where the files are stored. It is useful for indicating that something is located on a device or surface.
Vérifie
'Vérifie' means check and gives a direct instruction to inspect the backup. It appears in 'Vérifie ta sauvegarde'. Use it when telling someone to examine information or a stored copy.
ta
'Ta' means your and identifies the backup as belonging to the person being addressed. It appears before 'sauvegarde'. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to the person you are addressing.
sauvegarde
'Sauvegarde' means backup, the stored copy that may protect the project files. It appears in 'sauvegarde dans le cloud'. This word is useful when checking whether data can be recovered.
dans
In 'dans le cloud', 'dans' means in and identifies where the backup is stored. It is useful before a place, system, or storage location.
cloud
'Cloud' means cloud and refers here to online storage. In 'dans le cloud', it identifies the place where the backup can be accessed. This expression is useful when discussing remotely stored files.
depuis
In 'depuis un autre appareil', 'depuis' means from and identifies the device used as the source of access. It is useful for describing where an action is carried out or from which place or device it is done.
autre
'Autre' means another and distinguishes the second device from the damaged laptop. It appears in 'un autre appareil'. Use it before a noun when referring to a different one.
appareil
'Appareil' means device and refers to the other device used to check the backup. It appears in 'un autre appareil'. Use it for a piece of electronic equipment when the exact type is not specified.
avant
'Avant' means before and introduces the action that must happen first in 'avant de toucher à nouveau à l'ordinateur portable'. It is followed here by 'de' and an infinitive. This pattern is useful for ordering two actions.
toucher
In 'avant de toucher à nouveau à l'ordinateur portable', 'toucher' means touch and refers to handling the laptop again. It follows 'avant de' and is used with the laptop as the thing being touched.
à nouveau
'À nouveau' means again. The parts 'à' and 'nouveau' form a fixed expression referring to a repeated action. In 'toucher à nouveau à l'ordinateur portable', it warns against handling the laptop another time too soon.
à
In 'à nouveau', 'à' is part of the expression meaning again. In 'toucher à nouveau à l'ordinateur portable', the second 'à' belongs to the construction for touching or handling something.
l'ordinateur
'L'ordinateur' means the computer and refers to the laptop in 'l'ordinateur portable'. The article is shortened before the vowel at the beginning of 'ordinateur'. Use the full expression when identifying the laptop.
plupart
In 'La plupart des fichiers', 'plupart' means most and indicates the greater part of the files. This expression is useful when referring to a majority without saying that every file is included.
des
In 'La plupart des fichiers', 'des' means of the and links 'plupart' to the plural noun 'fichiers'. Here it is the contracted form of 'de' and 'les'. The pattern is used to say most of a group.
étaient
In 'étaient déjà synchronisés', 'étaient' means were and describes the previous state of the files. It combines with 'synchronisés' to say that the files had that status already.
déjà
In 'étaient déjà synchronisés', 'déjà' means already and shows that synchronization had happened before the current moment. It is useful for emphasizing that something was completed earlier.
synchronisés
'Synchronisés' means synced and describes the files as having been matched or updated with the backup. It appears in 'étaient déjà synchronisés'. This is useful when confirming that files are available in synchronized form.
éteint
In 'Laisse l'ordinateur portable éteint', 'éteint' means off and describes the state in which the laptop should remain. The pattern is useful for telling someone to leave a device switched off.
n'essaie
In 'n'essaie pas de le rallumer', 'n'essaie' contributes the meaning do not try. It is part of the negative instruction, completed by 'pas'. The expression is useful when warning someone not to attempt an action.
pas
In 'n'essaie pas', 'pas' completes the negation and means not. Together with 'n'essaie', it prevents the instruction from being understood as an attempt. This form is useful in a negative instruction.
rallumer
In 'le rallumer', 'rallumer' means turn it on again or restart it. The prefix in this verb gives the idea of switching something on again, and it follows 'essayer de' here. It is useful when discussing restarting a device.
trop
In 'trop tôt', 'trop' means too and marks an excessive degree of earliness. It warns that restarting the laptop at that time would be earlier than advisable.
tôt
In 'trop tôt', 'tôt' means early or soon. Together with 'trop', the expression means too soon. It is useful when warning someone to wait longer before an action.
vais
In 'Je vais l'apporter', 'vais' means am going to and helps express a planned near-future action. It is followed by 'l'apporter'. This pattern is useful for stating what the speaker plans to do next.
l'apporter
In 'Je vais l'apporter à un technicien', 'l'apporter' means take or bring it, with 'l'' referring to the laptop. It identifies the item being taken to the technician. The expression is useful for describing moving an object to a person or place.
lui
In 'lui demander', 'lui' means to him or to her and identifies the person who will receive the question. It is placed before 'demander'. This pattern is useful when saying that you will ask someone something.
demander
In 'lui demander quelle est la prochaine étape', 'demander' means ask. The question is directed to the technician through 'lui'. This pattern is useful for asking a person for information or advice.
quelle
In 'quelle est la prochaine étape', 'quelle' introduces the question about which or what step is next. It helps ask for a specific item or answer within the question. The expression is useful when clarifying the next action in a process.
prochaine
In 'la prochaine étape', 'prochaine' means next and identifies the step that follows the current one. This expression is useful when asking about or discussing what should happen next.
étape
'Étape' means step and refers to one part of the repair process. In 'la prochaine étape', it is the action or stage that should follow. Use it when discussing the sequence of actions in a process.
sans
In 'sans aggraver les dégâts', 'sans' means without and introduces an action that should not occur. It is followed here by the infinitive 'aggraver'. This pattern is useful for describing an action performed while avoiding a result.
aggraver
In 'sans aggraver les dégâts', 'aggraver' means make worse or aggravate. It refers to increasing the existing damage to the laptop. The expression is useful when warning that an action should not worsen a problem.
les
In 'les dégâts', 'les' means the and marks the plural noun as definite. It identifies the specific damage already discussed. It is used before a definite plural noun.
Grammar Points
Impératif + pronom complément avec trait d’union : verbe-le
Débranche-le tout de suite.
day-BRAHNSH-luh too duh SWEET.Unplug it immediately.
In a positive command, the object pronoun follows the verb and is joined with a hyphen.
La plupart de + nom pluriel + verbe au pluriel
La plupart des fichiers sont synchronisés.
lah ploo-PAHR day fee-SHYAY sohn sehn-kroh-nee-ZAY.Most of the files are synced.
La plupart refers to a majority and is followed by a plural noun and a plural verb.
French Vocabulary
café
noun
kah-FAY
coffee
du café
chaleur
noun
shah-LUR
heat
La chaleur
clavier
noun
kla-VYAY
keyboard
sous le clavier
débranche-le
verb
day-BRAHNSH-luh
unplug it
Débranche-le
Débranche-le tout de suite.
éteins-le
verb
ay-TEHN-luh
turn it off
et éteins-le
fonctionne
verb
fohnk-SYON
is running; works
s'il fonctionne encore
liquide
noun
lee-KEED
liquid
du liquide
ordinateur portable
noun
or-dee-nah-TUR por-TAH-bluh
laptop
mon ordinateur portable
renversé
verb
rahn-vair-SAY
spilled
J'ai renversé du café.
sèche-cheveux
noun
sehsh-shuh-VUH
hair dryer
avec un sèche-cheveux
sécher
verb
say-SHAY
to dry
essayer de le sécher
tout de suite
adv
too duh SWEET
immediately
Débranche-le tout de suite.
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
coffee
Show Answer
caféspilled
Show Answer
renverséliquid
Show Answer
liquideis running; works