Deciding whether to keep waiting | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Near a slow service desk line, a person asks whether to keep waiting or leave a request for later review..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Deciding whether to keep waiting to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Excusez-moi, cette file avance lentement.

ehk-skew-zay MWAH, set FEEL ah-VAHNS lahnt-MAHN. Excuse me, this line has been moving slowly.
B

Vous essayez de décider si cela vaut la peine de rester ?

voo zess-ay-YAY duh day-see-DAY see suh-LAH voh lah PEN duh ress-TAY? Are you trying to decide whether it is worth staying?
A

Oui. Vous savez si le guichet a du retard ?

wee. Voo sah-VAY see luh gee-SHAY ah dew ruh-TAR? I am. Do you know if the service desk is running behind?
B

Plusieurs demandes nécessitent une attention particulière, donc la file avance lentement.

ploo-ZYUR duh-MAHND nay-sess-EET ün ah-tahn-SYON par-tee-kyoo-LYAIR, dohn lah FEEL ah-VAHNS lahnt-MAHN. Several requests need extra attention, so the line is moving slowly.
A

Je ne peux pas rester ici beaucoup plus longtemps.

zhuh nuh puh pah ress-TAY ee-SEE boh-KOO ploo lohn-TON. I cannot stay here much longer.
B

Vous pouvez continuer à attendre ou laisser votre demande au guichet.

voo poo-VAY kohn-tee-new-AY ah ah-TAHNDR oo less-AY voh-truh duh-MAHND oh gee-SHAY. You can keep waiting, or leave your request at the desk.
A

Laisser la demande m'aiderait si quelqu'un pouvait l'examiner plus tard.

less-AY lah duh-MAHND meh-duh-RAY see kel-KUN poo-VAY leg-zah-mee-NAY ploo TAR. Leaving the request would help if someone can review it later.
B

Le guichet peut vous contacter quand il y aura du nouveau.

luh gee-SHAY puh voo kohn-tak-TAY kahn-TEEL yoh-RAH dew noo-VOH. The desk can contact you when they have an update.
A

Cela me donne un choix clair.

suh-LAH muh dohn ün SHWAH klair. That gives me a clear choice.
B

Alors, il vaut peut-être mieux la laisser si votre prochain engagement ne peut pas attendre.

ah-LOR eel voh puh-TETR myuh lah less-AY see voh-truh proh-SHAN ahn-gahzh-MAHN nuh puh pah ah-TAHNDR. Then leaving it may be better if your next commitment cannot wait.

Word by Word

Excusez-moi “Excusez-moi” is a polite way to get someone’s attention here, equivalent to “Excuse me.” The expression combines “Excusez” with “moi” and is useful when addressing someone you do not know.
cette “cette” means “this” in “cette file,” identifying the line the speakers are near. It is used directly before the noun it describes, as in “cette demande” for “this request.”
file “file” means the line or queue in “cette file avance lentement.” Use it for a line of people waiting for a service, such as at a counter or desk.
avance “avance” means “moves forward” here, describing the progress of the line. A useful pattern is “la file avance” followed by an adverb such as “lentement.”
lentement “lentement” means “slowly” and describes how “cette file avance.” It can be placed after a verb to explain the manner of an action, as in “avance lentement.”
Vous “Vous” means “you” when speaking politely to one person, or when addressing more than one person. Here it is the person being asked about the waiting line; use “Vous savez...” to ask politely whether someone knows something.
essayez “essayez” means “are trying” in “Vous essayez de décider.” It introduces an effort or attempt, followed here by “de décider” to say what the person is trying to do.
de In “essayez de décider,” “de” connects “essayez” with the action “décider.” A common reusable pattern is “essayer de” followed by an action.
décider “décider” means “decide” in “essayez de décider.” It is used after “essayer de” to name the decision the person is trying to make.
si “si” introduces the question of whether staying is worthwhile in “si cela vaut la peine de rester.” It is useful for introducing an indirect yes-or-no question, such as asking whether something is possible.
cela “cela” refers to the option or situation being considered in “si cela vaut la peine de rester,” meaning “whether it is worth staying.” It can refer to something already understood from the conversation.
vaut In “cela vaut la peine de rester,” “vaut” contributes the meaning “is worth.” The whole expression “vaut la peine de” is used to evaluate whether an action deserves the time or effort.
la In “vaut la peine,” “la” is part of the expression meaning “worth the trouble” or “worth it.” Keep it with “peine” in the reusable pattern “ça vaut la peine de...” when evaluating an action.
peine In “vaut la peine de rester,” “peine” refers to the trouble or effort involved, so the whole expression asks whether staying is worth it. Use “ça vaut la peine de...” before an action when deciding whether it is worthwhile.
rester “rester” means “stay” in “la peine de rester.” It names the action being evaluated, and the pattern “vaut la peine de rester” can be adapted to other actions.
Oui “Oui” means “yes” and confirms the question in the dialogue. It is a direct reply when agreeing or confirming something.
savez “savez” means “know” in the polite question “Vous savez si le guichet a du retard ?” A useful pattern is “Vous savez si...” when asking whether someone knows the answer to an indirect question.
le In “le guichet,” “le” means “the” and introduces the service desk being discussed. It comes directly before the noun in this phrase.
guichet “guichet” means the service desk or counter where the request can be handled. In “le guichet a du retard,” it identifies the service point whose work is delayed.
a In “le guichet a du retard,” “a” contributes the meaning “has,” describing the desk as having a delay. The reusable expression “avoir du retard” means that a service, activity, or schedule is behind.
du In “a du retard,” “du” is part of the expression for having a delay. Keep it with “retard” in the common pattern “avoir du retard.”
retard “retard” means “delay” in “a du retard.” The phrase “avoir du retard” is used when a service, activity, or schedule is running behind.
Plusieurs “Plusieurs” means “several” in “Plusieurs demandes.” It comes before a plural noun to indicate more than one without giving an exact number.
demandes “demandes” means “requests” in the explanation of why the line is slow. It can refer to requests submitted to a service desk, as in “laisser votre demande au guichet.”
nécessitent “nécessitent” means “need” or “require” in “Plusieurs demandes nécessitent une attention particulière.” It is followed by the thing required, here “une attention particulière.”
une In “une attention particulière,” “une” means “a” and introduces the singular noun “attention.” It is used directly before a feminine singular noun in this phrase.
attention “attention” means “attention” in “une attention particulière,” referring to careful consideration of the requests. A useful pattern is “nécessiter une attention...” when something requires careful handling.
particulière “particulière” means “special” or “particular” in “une attention particulière.” It describes the kind of attention the requests need and follows the noun here.
donc “donc” means “so” or “therefore” and links the requests needing extra attention to the slow movement of the line. Use it to introduce a result or conclusion.
Je “Je” means “I” in “Je ne peux pas rester ici beaucoup plus longtemps.” It identifies the speaker as the person who cannot continue waiting.
ne “ne” helps form the negation in “Je ne peux pas rester.” In this dialogue, it works together with “pas” around the verb to express that the speaker cannot stay.
peux “peux” means “can” in “Je ne peux pas rester ici.” Together with “ne” and “pas,” it expresses that the speaker is unable to stay much longer.
pas “pas” completes the negation in “Je ne peux pas rester ici.” It is used with “ne” around the verb to express “cannot” or “not.”
ici “ici” means “here,” referring to the place where the person is waiting. It can be used after a verb to specify the current location, as in “rester ici.”
beaucoup “beaucoup” means “much” in “beaucoup plus longtemps,” strengthening the idea of duration. It can modify an amount or degree, and here it modifies how much longer the person can stay.
plus “plus” means “more” or “further” in “beaucoup plus longtemps.” Together with “longtemps,” it indicates an additional amount of time.
longtemps “longtemps” refers to a long duration in “rester ici beaucoup plus longtemps.” The phrase “rester longtemps” is useful when talking about staying for a long time.
pouvez “pouvez” means “can” in “Vous pouvez continuer à attendre.” It introduces an available option or possibility and is followed here by an activity.
continuer “continuer” means “continue” in “continuer à attendre.” The common pattern “continuer à” is followed by an activity that is being continued.
à In “continuer à attendre,” “à” connects “continuer” with the activity “attendre.” Keep the pattern “continuer à” before the action that continues.
attendre “attendre” means “wait” in “continuer à attendre.” It names the activity that can continue while the person remains in the line.
ou “ou” means “or” and presents the alternative between “continuer à attendre” and “laisser votre demande au guichet.” Use it to connect two choices or possibilities.
laisser “laisser” means “leave” in “laisser votre demande au guichet,” meaning to leave the request there for later handling. It is followed by the thing being left and its destination or location.
votre “votre” means “your” in “votre demande,” linking the request to the person being addressed. It is placed directly before the noun it identifies.
demande “demande” means “request” in “laisser votre demande au guichet.” It refers to the matter the person can leave at the service desk for later review.
au In “au guichet,” “au” means “at the” or “to the” and identifies the service desk as the place where the request is left. It is used as the fixed form in this location phrase.
m'aiderait “m'aiderait” means “would help me” in “Laisser la demande m'aiderait.” It expresses a possible benefit for the speaker, especially in the condition “si quelqu'un pouvait l'examiner plus tard.”
quelqu'un “quelqu'un” means “someone” in “si quelqu'un pouvait l'examiner plus tard.” It refers to an unspecified person who might review the request.
pouvait “pouvait” means “could” in “si quelqu'un pouvait l'examiner plus tard.” It presents the possible ability or opportunity of someone reviewing the request.
l'examiner “l'examiner” means “examine it” or “review it,” referring to the request in the dialogue. The “l'” represents the thing being reviewed, and “examiner” names the review action.
tard “tard” means “later” in “l'examiner plus tard,” referring to a time after the request is left. Use it with a verb when saying that an action will happen at a later time.
peut “peut” means “can” or “may” in “Le guichet peut vous contacter.” It presents contacting the person as something the desk is able or permitted to do.
contacter “contacter” means “contact” in “peut vous contacter.” It is used after “peut” to name the action the service desk may carry out.
quand “quand” means “when” in “quand il y aura du nouveau.” It introduces the time at which the desk will contact the person.
il In “il y aura du nouveau,” “il” is part of the expression used to say that there will be new information. The whole phrase refers to an update becoming available, rather than to a specific person.
y In “il y aura du nouveau,” “y” helps form the expression meaning “there will be something new.” Learn it as part of the whole phrase when talking about new information becoming available.
aura “aura” contributes the meaning “will have” in “il y aura du nouveau,” which means that there will be an update. The full expression is useful when referring to information that will become available later.
nouveau In “du nouveau,” “nouveau” refers to something new, especially new information or an update. The expression “il y aura du nouveau” means that there will be news or a change to report.
me “me” means “me” in “Cela me donne un choix clair,” identifying the person who receives the clear choice. It is placed before the verb in this expression.
donne “donne” means “gives” in “Cela me donne un choix clair.” The pattern “cela me donne...” describes something providing the speaker with an option, result, or benefit.
un In “un choix clair,” “un” means “a” and introduces the singular noun “choix.” It is placed directly before the noun in this phrase.
choix “choix” means “choice” in “un choix clair,” referring to the two options the person now understands. A useful pattern is “avoir un choix” when someone has alternatives.
clair “clair” means “clear” in “un choix clair,” indicating that the available decision is easy to understand. It describes the noun “choix” in this phrase.
Alors “Alors” means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the conclusion based on the person’s time limit. Use it to connect a previous situation with a resulting suggestion or decision.
peut-être “peut-être” means “perhaps” or “maybe” in “il vaut peut-être mieux la laisser.” It softens the suggestion and shows that leaving the request is presented as a possible better option.
mieux “mieux” means “better” in “il vaut peut-être mieux la laisser.” The whole pattern “il vaut mieux” is used to recommend one option as preferable.
prochain “prochain” means “next” in “votre prochain engagement,” referring to the commitment that comes after the current wait. It is placed before the noun here to identify the upcoming commitment.
engagement “engagement” means a commitment or appointment in “votre prochain engagement.” It refers to a future obligation that may require the person to leave the line.

Grammar Points

m'aiderait à + infinitif

Quelqu'un m'aiderait à l'examiner ?

kel-KUN meh-duh-RAY ah leg-zah-mee-NAY?

Would someone help me examine it?

The conditional aiderait makes the request more polite. The pronoun m' comes before the conjugated verb.

l' + infinitif

Je peux l'examiner au guichet.

zhuh puh leg-zah-mee-NAY oh gee-SHAY.

I can examine it at the service desk.

The object pronoun l' comes directly before the infinitive examiner when it means “examine it.”

French Vocabulary

avancer verb
ah-vahn-SAY to move forward; to progress avance
avoir du retard phrase
ah-vwahr dew ruh-TAR to be behind schedule; to be delayed a du retard
décider verb
day-see-DAY to decide
demande noun
duh-MAHND request
essayer verb
eh-say-YAY to try essayez
excusez-moi phrase
ehk-skew-zay MWAH excuse me Excusez-moi
file noun
FEEL line; queue
guichet noun
gee-SHAY service desk; counter
lentement adv
lahnt-MAHN slowly
plusieurs det
ploo-ZYUR several
rester verb
ress-TAY to stay; to remain
valoir la peine phrase
vah-LWAHR lah PEN to be worth it vaut la peine

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Excuse me, this line has been moving slowly.

Show AnswerExcusez-moi, cette file avance lentement.

That gives me a clear choice.

Show AnswerCela me donne un choix clair.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to stay; to remain

Show Answerrester

to try

Show Answeressayez

service desk; counter

Show Answerguichet

line; queue

Show Answerfile