About This Lesson
Use Troubleshooting a washing machine warning to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Le lave-linge s'est arrêté au milieu du cycle.
luh lahv-LANZH say tah-RAY oh mee-LYUH duh SEEKL The washing machine stopped halfway through the cycle.
B
Y a-t-il un avertissement à l'écran ?
yah-TEEL uh nah-ver-TEES-mahn ah lay-SKRAHN Is there a warning on the screen?
A
Le message indique que le filtre est peut-être bouché.
luh meh-SAHZH an-DEEK kuh luh FEEL-truh eh puh-TETR boo-SHAY It says the filter may be blocked.
B
Consulte le manuel avant d'appuyer au hasard sur les boutons.
kohn-SULT luh mahn-YOO-EL ah-VAHN dah-poo-YAY oh ah-ZAHR sooR lay boo-TOHN Check the manual before trying random buttons.
A
Le manuel dit que je devrais nettoyer le filtre avec précaution.
luh mahn-YOO-EL dee kuh zhuh duh-VRAY neh-twah-YAY luh FEEL-truh ah-VEK pray-koh-SYOHN The manual says I should clean the filter carefully.
B
Ensuite, débranche la machine avant de toucher à quoi que ce soit.
ahn-SWEET duh-BRAHNSH lah ma-SHEEN ah-VAHN duh too-SHAY ah kwa kuh suh SWAH Then unplug the machine before you touch anything.
A
Après cela, est-ce que je devrais relancer le cycle ?
ah-PRAY suh-LAH, ess-kuh zhuh duh-VRAY ruh-lahn-SAY luh SEEKL After that, should I restart the cycle?
B
Relance-le une fois, mais contacte le service de maintenance si l'avertissement revient.
ruh-LAHNS-luh oon fwah, meh kohn-TAKT luh sehr-VEES duh mahn-teh-NAHNS see lah-ver-TEES-mahn ruh-VYAN Restart it once, but contact maintenance if the warning returns.
A
Je vais d'abord suivre les étapes sûres.
zhuh vay dah-BOR swee-VR lay zay-TAHP SYUR I will follow the safe steps first.
B
Dépanner un problème simple est utile, mais ne risque pas d'endommager la machine.
day-pah-NAY uhn proh-BLEM SAM-pl eh oo-TEEL, meh nuh REESK pah dahn-doh-mah-ZHAY lah ma-SHEEN Simple troubleshooting is useful, but do not risk damaging the machine.Word by Word
Le
In “Le lave-linge”, “Le” means “the” and identifies the specific washing machine being discussed. It is used before a singular masculine noun, for example when referring to a particular device.
lave-linge
“lave-linge” means “washing machine” in this dialogue. It names the appliance whose cycle has stopped, and it can be used when discussing its operation, maintenance, or problems.
s'est
In “s'est arrêté”, “s'est” is the reflexive part used with the machine as the thing that stopped; the completed event is expressed together with “arrêté”. This form is useful when describing something that has stopped by itself.
arrêté
In “s'est arrêté”, “arrêté” means “stopped”. Its citation form is arrêter; this form appears with “s'est” to describe the washing machine stopping during the cycle.
au
In “au milieu”, “au” means “in the” or “at the”. It combines the preposition à with the article le and is useful before a singular masculine place or point in time.
milieu
“milieu” means “middle” in “au milieu du cycle”. The phrase locates the stopping point inside the cycle, and the word can be reused for the middle of a period, place, or activity.
du
In “du cycle”, “du” means “of the”. It combines de with le and connects “milieu” to the specific cycle being discussed.
cycle
“cycle” means “cycle”, here the complete washing program. It is useful when referring to starting, stopping, restarting, or completing a machine cycle.
Y
In “Y a-t-il un avertissement”, “Y” introduces the idea of something being present or existing, meaning “there”. This form is useful in questions about whether something is available, visible, or present.
a-t-il
In “Y a-t-il”, “a-t-il” forms the question meaning “is there”. The linking t separates the verb from il for pronunciation, and the expression is useful for asking whether something exists or is present.
un
In “un avertissement”, “un” means “a” and introduces one non-specific warning. It is used before a singular masculine noun when the listener has not yet been told which one.
avertissement
“avertissement” means “warning”, here a warning shown by the washing machine. It is useful for referring to an alert or notice that tells someone about a possible problem.
à
In “à l'écran”, “à” marks the location where the warning appears, meaning “on” the screen. It is useful when saying where information, a message, or an image is displayed.
l'écran
“l'écran” means “the screen”. The form uses l' before a vowel sound instead of le, and it is useful when referring to information displayed on a device screen.
message
In “Le message indique”, “message” means the written information or notice shown by the machine. It can be reused for a displayed notice or a communication that gives information.
indique
In “Le message indique que”, “indique” means “indicates” or “says”, describing what the message communicates. Its citation form is indiquer; a useful pattern is a message followed by que and the information it gives.
que
In “indique que le filtre...”, “que” introduces the information communicated by the message, meaning “that”. It is useful after verbs such as indicate or say when introducing a complete statement.
filtre
“filtre” means “filter”, here the part of the washing machine that may be blocked. It is useful when discussing cleaning, checking, or replacing a filter in a device.
est
In “le filtre est peut-être bouché”, “est” links the filter to its possible condition, meaning “is”. Its citation form is être; this form is useful for describing the state or condition of something.
peut-être
“peut-être” means “perhaps” or “maybe” and shows that the filter being blocked is uncertain. It is useful when giving a possible explanation without presenting it as a fact.
bouché
In “est peut-être bouché”, “bouché” describes the filter as blocked or clogged. The related verb is boucher; this form is useful when describing an opening or passage that cannot let something through.
Consulte
“Consulte” means “check” or “consult” in this instruction to look at the manual. Its citation form is consulter; this command is useful when telling someone to check a source of information before acting.
manuel
“manuel” means “manual”, here the instruction guide for the washing machine. It is useful when referring to the document that explains how to use or troubleshoot a device.
avant
In “avant d'appuyer”, “avant” means “before” and places one action earlier than another. It is useful for giving safety or order instructions before an action is performed.
d'appuyer
In “avant d'appuyer”, “d'appuyer” means “pressing” as the action that must wait until the manual has been checked. The form combines de with the infinitive appuyer, and it is useful after avant when one action comes before another.
hasard
In “au hasard”, “hasard” contributes the idea of chance; the whole expression means “randomly”. It is useful when describing an action done without a plan or without selecting deliberately.
sur
In “sur les boutons”, “sur” means “on” and links the action of pressing to the buttons. It is useful with actions directed at a surface or control, such as pressing on a button.
les
In “les boutons”, “les” means “the” before a plural noun and refers to the buttons as a known group. It is useful when talking about specific plural objects already identifiable in the situation.
boutons
“boutons” means “buttons”, here the controls on the washing machine. Its singular form is bouton; the plural form is useful when referring to several controls together.
dit
In “Le manuel dit que”, “dit” means “says”, reporting the information given by the manual. Its citation form is dire; a useful pattern is a person or document followed by dit que and a statement.
je
“je” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person who should clean the filter. It is used before a verb when the speaker describes their own action, opinion, or plan.
devrais
In “je devrais nettoyer”, “devrais” means “should” and expresses the action the speaker believes is advisable. Its citation form is devoir; the pattern je devrais followed by an infinitive is useful for giving or discussing advice.
nettoyer
“nettoyer” means “to clean”, here referring to cleaning the filter. It is an infinitive used after devrais, and it is useful for naming a cleaning action without specifying a tense.
avec
In “avec précaution”, “avec” means “with” and introduces the manner in which the filter should be cleaned. It is useful before a noun that describes the way an action is carried out.
précaution
In “avec précaution”, “précaution” means care or caution; the whole expression means “carefully”. It is useful when describing an action that should be done gently or safely.
Ensuite
“Ensuite” means “then” or “next” and introduces the step that follows cleaning instructions. It is useful for organizing actions in a sequence.
débranche
“débranche” means “unplug” in this direct instruction to disconnect the machine. Its citation form is débrancher; the command is useful when telling someone to disconnect an electrical device before handling it.
la
In “la machine”, “la” means “the” before a singular feminine noun and identifies the particular machine. It is used when referring to a specific feminine-noun object in the situation.
machine
“machine” means “machine”, here referring to the washing machine. It is useful for discussing the device as a whole when giving instructions or describing a possible danger.
de
In “avant de toucher”, “de” introduces the infinitive action that follows the word avant. It is useful for expressing that one action must happen before another.
toucher
“toucher” means “to touch”, here referring to handling any part of the machine. It is an infinitive after de, and it is useful for naming physical contact with an object.
quoi
In “quoi que ce soit”, “quoi” contributes the idea of “what”; with the complete expression, it means “anything”. This expression is useful when referring broadly to any object or thing without specifying one.
ce
In “quoi que ce soit”, “ce” helps complete the expression meaning “anything”. It is useful in this fixed expression when the speaker does not want to identify a particular thing.
soit
In “quoi que ce soit”, “soit” completes the expression meaning “anything”. The complete expression is useful in warnings or instructions that apply to every possible object.
Après
In “Après cela”, “Après” means “after” and introduces a later step in the process. It is useful for referring to an action or event that follows something already mentioned.
cela
In “Après cela”, “cela” means “that” or “this” and refers to the steps just described. It is useful for pointing back to a previous action or situation without repeating it.
est-ce
In “est-ce que je devrais relancer”, “est-ce” is part of the question marker est-ce que. This construction is useful for forming a clear question about whether the speaker should take an action.
relancer
“relancer” means “to restart” or “start again”, here referring to starting the washing cycle again. It is an infinitive after devrais, and it is useful when resuming a process that has stopped.
Relance-le
In “Relance-le”, “Relance-le” means “restart it”; the pronoun le refers to the cycle. Its citation form is relancer, and the command is useful when telling someone to start a previously mentioned process again.
une
In “une fois”, “une” means “one” and introduces a single occasion. It is useful before a singular feminine noun when counting one occurrence or one instance.
fois
In “une fois”, “fois” means “time” or “occasion”; the whole phrase means “once”. It is useful when specifying how many times an action should be performed.
mais
“mais” means “but” and contrasts restarting the cycle with contacting maintenance if the warning returns. It is useful for connecting two ideas where the second limits or contrasts with the first.
contacte
“contacte” means “contact” in the instruction to get in touch with maintenance. Its citation form is contacter; this command is useful when telling someone to communicate with a service or person.
service
In “le service de maintenance”, “service” means “service” or department. It is useful when referring to an organized team responsible for a particular kind of assistance.
maintenance
“maintenance” means “maintenance”, here the service responsible for dealing with the machine if the warning returns. It is useful when discussing inspection, repair, or technical support for equipment.
si
In “si l'avertissement revient”, “si” means “if” and introduces the condition for contacting maintenance. It is useful for explaining what action should follow when a possible event occurs.
l'avertissement
“l'avertissement” means “the warning”, referring back to the warning already seen on the screen. The form uses l' before a vowel sound, and it is useful when referring again to a specific alert.
revient
In “l'avertissement revient”, “revient” means “returns” or “comes back”, describing the warning appearing again. Its citation form is revenir; it is useful when a warning, problem, or event happens again.
vais
In “Je vais d'abord suivre”, “vais” helps express what the speaker is going to do, meaning “will” or “am going to”. Its citation form is aller; the pattern subject + vais + infinitive is useful for stating an immediate plan.
d'abord
“d'abord” means “first” and shows that following the safe steps comes before any later action. It is useful for marking the first priority in a sequence.
suivre
“suivre” means “to follow”, here referring to following the safe steps. It is an infinitive after vais, and it is useful when carrying out instructions, advice, or an established procedure.
étapes
“étapes” means “steps”, here the separate actions in the safe procedure. Its singular form is étape; the plural is useful when describing a process made up of several actions.
sûres
In “les étapes sûres”, “sûres” means “safe” and describes the steps as not putting the person or machine at unnecessary risk. Its citation form is sûr; this feminine plural form matches étapes.
Dépanner
In “Dépanner un problème simple”, “Dépanner” names the activity of troubleshooting a simple problem. Its citation form is dépanner; an infinitive in this position can name an activity or general practice.
problème
“problème” means “problem”, here the simple washing-machine issue being investigated. It is useful when identifying something that needs to be checked, solved, or repaired.
simple
In “un problème simple”, “simple” means “simple” or not complicated and describes the problem. It is useful for indicating that an issue may be manageable without advanced intervention.
utile
“utile” means “useful”, describing troubleshooting as having practical value. It is useful when evaluating whether an action or method helps with a particular task.
ne
In “ne risque pas”, “ne” is the first part of the negation and helps express “do not risk”. It is used together with pas around the verb in this warning.
risque
In “ne risque pas d'endommager”, “risque” expresses the possibility of causing damage. Its citation form is risquer; the pattern risk + an action is useful for warning about a possible harmful result.
pas
In “ne risque pas”, “pas” completes the negation with ne, making the instruction negative. Together they tell the listener not to take an action that could damage the machine.
d'endommager
In “risque pas d'endommager”, “d'endommager” means “damaging” or “to damage”, the possible harmful result being warned against. The form combines de with the infinitive endommager, and it is useful after expressions about the risk of causing harm.
Grammar Points
s'arrêter → s'est arrêté
Le lave-linge s'est arrêté au milieu du cycle.
luh lahv-LANZH say tah-RAY oh mee-LYUH duh SEEKLThe washing machine stopped in the middle of the cycle.
This reflexive verb uses être in the passé composé: se + être + past participle.
Impératif : consulte, débranche
Consulte le manuel et débranche le lave-linge.
kohn-SULT luh mahn-YOO-EL ay day-BRAHNSH luh lahv-LANZHCheck the manual and unplug the washing machine.
The imperative gives direct instructions; the subject pronoun is omitted.
French Vocabulary
avertissement
noun
ah-ver-TEES-mahn
warning
Y a-t-il un avertissement à l'écran ?
bouché
adj
boo-SHAY
blocked; clogged
le filtre est peut-être bouché
cycle
noun
SEEKL
cycle
au milieu du cycle
écran
noun
ay-SKRAHN
screen
à l'écran
filtre
noun
FEEL-truh
filter
nettoyer le filtre
indiquer
verb
an-DEE-KAY
to indicate; to say
indique
Le message indique que le filtre est peut-être bouché.
lave-linge
noun
lahv-LANZH
washing machine
Le lave-linge s'est arrêté.
manuel
noun
mahn-YOO-EL
manual
Consulte le manuel.
message
noun
meh-SAHZH
message
Le message indique que le filtre est peut-être bouché.
milieu
noun
mee-LYUH
middle
au milieu du cycle
peut-être
adv
puh-TETR
perhaps; maybe
est peut-être bouché
s'arrêter
verb
sah-ray-TAY
to stop
s'est arrêté
Le lave-linge s'est arrêté au milieu du cycle.
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
filter
Show Answer
filtreto indicate; to say
Show Answer
indiquemessage
Show Answer
messagemiddle