Checking travel bags before leaving | Learn French in English

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Use Checking travel bags before leaving to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Nos sacs de voyage ont besoin d’une dernière vérification avant notre départ.

noh sak duh vwa-YAHZH ohn buh-ZWAN DOON der-NYEHR vay-ree-fee-ka-SYOHN ah-VAHN nohtr day-PAR Our travel bags need a final check before we go.

Commence par les affaires dont tu as besoin pendant le voyage.

koh-MAHNSS par lay-zah-FAIR don tyoo ah buh-ZWAN pahn-DAHN luh vwa-YAHZH Start with the items you need during the journey.

J’ai mes clés, mes médicaments et un vêtement chaud.

zhay may KLAY may may-dee-ka-MAHN ay uhn VAYT-mahn SHOH I have my keys, medicine, and a warm layer.

Est-ce que tu peux facilement atteindre les snacks et l’eau ?

ess-kuh tyoo puh fay-seel-MAHN ah-TAN-druh lay snacks ay loh Are snacks and water easy to reach?

Ils sont dans la poche latérale.

eel sohn dahn lah posh lah-tay-RAL They are in the side pocket.

Et les chargeurs et les petites affaires pour être à l’aise ?

ay lay shar-ZHUHR ay lay puh-TEET-zah-FAIR poor etr ah LEHZ What about chargers and small comfort items?

Je les ai rangés ensemble pour les trouver facilement.

zhuh lay-ZAY rahn-ZHAY ahn-SAHMBL poor lay troo-VAY fay-seel-MAHN I packed them together so they are easy to find.

Ça devrait rendre le voyage plus tranquille si les plans changent.

sah duh-VRAY rahndr luh vwa-YAHZH ploo trahn-KEEL see lay PLAHN SHAHNZH That should make the trip calmer if plans change.

J’ai aussi laissé de la place pour tout ce qu’on pourrait prendre.

zhay oh-SEE lay-SAY duh lah PLAHSS poor too suh kohn poo-RAY prahndr I also left extra space for anything we pick up.

Alors, nous devrions pouvoir partir sans refaire les bagages à la gare.

ah-LOR noo duh-vree-OHN poo-VWAR par-TEER sahn ruh-FAIR lay bah-GAHZH ah lah GAR Then we should be able to leave without repacking at the station.

Word by Word

Nos “Nos” means “our” in “Nos sacs de voyage” and shows that the bags belong to the speakers. It is used before a plural noun, as in “Nos affaires”.

sacs “Sacs” means “bags” in “Nos sacs de voyage”. It names the travel bags being checked, and can be reused in “un sac à dos” for “a backpack”.

de In “sacs de voyage”, “de” links “sacs” to the type or purpose of the bags: travel bags. The same pattern appears in “une bouteille d’eau” for “a bottle of water”.

voyage “Voyage” means “journey” or “trip” in “sacs de voyage”. It is also used in “pendant le voyage” to mean “during the journey”.

ont “Ont” means “have” in “Nos sacs de voyage ont besoin de...” and expresses what the bags require. The useful pattern is “avoir besoin de quelque chose”, meaning “to need something”.

besoin “Besoin” means “need” in the construction “ont besoin de”. Together, “avoir besoin de” expresses that something is necessary, as in “J’ai besoin d’eau”.

d’une “D’une” means “of a” in “ont besoin d’une dernière vérification”. It is the contracted form of “de” and “une”, used before a feminine singular noun.

dernière “Dernière” means “final” or “last” in “d’une dernière vérification”, indicating that this is the final check before departure. It describes the feminine noun “vérification”.

vérification “Vérification” means “check” or “inspection” in “une dernière vérification”. It is useful for a final review of objects, information, or arrangements.

avant “Avant” means “before” in “avant notre départ” and places the check earlier than the departure. It can be reused before a noun, as in “avant le voyage”.

notre “Notre” means “our” in “notre départ” and shows that the departure belongs to the speakers. It is used before a singular noun, as in “notre voyage”.

départ “Départ” means “departure” or “leaving” in “avant notre départ”. It names the moment when the speakers leave, and is used in “l’heure du départ” for “the departure time”.

Commence “Commence” is a command telling one person to start in “Commence par les affaires...”. It comes from “commencer”, and the reusable pattern is “commencer par quelque chose”, meaning “to start with something”.

par “Par” means “with” in “Commence par les affaires...” and introduces the first thing to deal with. The pattern “commencer par...” is used to state a starting point.

les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “affaires” in “les affaires”. It introduces specific plural things already relevant to the conversation.

affaires “Affaires” means “things” or “belongings” in “les affaires dont tu as besoin”. In a travel context, it refers to personal items packed in the bags.

dont “Dont” links “les affaires” to the phrase “tu as besoin de”: “the things that you need”. It is commonly used when the following expression would contain “de”.

tu “Tu” means “you” as the singular person being addressed in “tu as besoin”. It is used for one person in this informal conversation.

as “As” means “have” in “tu as besoin de”, where the whole expression means “you need”. The pattern is “tu as besoin de + noun”.

pendant “Pendant” means “during” in “pendant le voyage” and places the need for the items within the journey. It is commonly followed by a noun phrase such as “pendant le trajet”.

le “Le” means “the” in “le voyage” and introduces the specific journey being discussed. It is used before a singular masculine noun.

J’ai “J’ai” means “I have” in “J’ai mes clés...”, introducing the items the speaker possesses. It is the written combination of “je” and “ai”, as in “J’ai mon passeport”.

mes “Mes” means “my” in “mes clés” and shows that the keys belong to the speaker. It is used before a plural noun, as in “mes affaires”.

clés “Clés” means “keys” in “mes clés”. It names one of the personal items the speaker has packed, and can be used in “les clés de la maison” for “the house keys”.

médicaments “Médicaments” means “medicines” in “mes médicaments”. It refers to the medication needed during the journey, and can be reused in “prendre ses médicaments” for “take one’s medicines”.

et “Et” means “and” in “mes clés, mes médicaments et un vêtement chaud”. It joins the listed travel items and can connect any two or more items in a list.

un “Un” means “a” in “un vêtement chaud”, introducing one unspecified item. It is used before a singular masculine noun.

vêtement “Vêtement” means “piece of clothing” in “un vêtement chaud”. In this dialogue, it refers to a warm extra layer packed for the trip.

chaud “Chaud” means “warm” in “un vêtement chaud” and describes the clothing as suitable for keeping the speaker warm. It follows the noun in this expression.

Est-ce “Est-ce” begins the question structure “Est-ce que tu peux...?”, which asks whether something is possible. It is used at the start of a direct question.

que In “Est-ce que tu peux...?”, “que” completes the question structure and connects it to the statement being questioned. The whole pattern is used to ask a neutral yes-or-no question.

peux “Peux” means “can” or “are able to” in “tu peux facilement atteindre”. It expresses ability or possibility and is followed here by the infinitive “atteindre”.

facilement “Facilement” means “easily” in “atteindre les snacks et l’eau facilement” and describes how the items can be reached. It commonly modifies a verb to describe the manner of an action.

atteindre “Atteindre” means “reach” in “tu peux facilement atteindre les snacks et l’eau”. It is an infinitive after “peux” and takes the thing being reached as its object.

snacks “Snacks” means “snacks” in “les snacks et l’eau”. It refers to small foods prepared for the journey and is used here as a plural noun.

l’eau “L’eau” means “the water” in “les snacks et l’eau”. “L’” is used instead of “la” before the vowel at the start of “eau”, and the phrase refers to the water prepared for the trip.

Ils “Ils” means “they” in “Ils sont dans la poche latérale” and refers back to the snacks and water. It introduces a plural subject in a sentence describing their location.

sont “Sont” means “are” in “Ils sont dans la poche latérale” and states where the items are. The pattern “être dans + place” gives the location of something.

dans “Dans” means “in” in “dans la poche latérale” and places the items inside the pocket. It is used before a location, container, or enclosed space.

la “La” means “the” in “la poche latérale” and introduces the specific pocket being mentioned. It is used before a singular feminine noun.

poche “Poche” means “pocket” in “la poche latérale”. It identifies the part of the bag where the snacks and water are stored.

latérale “Latérale” means “side” or “lateral” in “la poche latérale” and specifies which pocket is meant. It describes the feminine noun “poche”.

chargeurs “Chargeurs” means “chargers” in “les chargeurs”. It refers to the chargers packed for the journey and can be used in “les chargeurs de téléphone” for “phone chargers”.

petites “Petites” means “small” in “les petites affaires”. It describes the belongings as small and takes the feminine plural form used with “affaires”.

pour “Pour” means “for” in “les petites affaires pour être à l’aise” and introduces the purpose of the items. The pattern “pour + infinitive” commonly explains what something is intended to do.

être “Être” means “be” in “pour être à l’aise”, expressing the state the items help someone reach. It is an infinitive after “pour” in this purpose expression.

à In “être à l’aise”, “à” is part of the fixed expression meaning “to be comfortable” or “to feel at ease”. The complete expression is used to describe someone’s comfortable state.

l’aise “L’aise” contributes the meaning of comfort in the expression “être à l’aise”. The whole expression is useful when saying that someone feels comfortable in a situation.

Je “Je” means “I” in “Je les ai rangés ensemble” and marks the speaker as the subject of the action. It is used before a verb when the speaker describes what they do.

ai “Ai” means “have” as the auxiliary in “Je les ai rangés ensemble”. Together with “rangés”, it describes the completed action of putting the items away.

rangés “Rangés” means “put away” or “packed” in “Je les ai rangés ensemble”. It describes the chargers and comfort items as organized together, and is used with “ai” in this completed-action construction.

ensemble “Ensemble” means “together” in “Je les ai rangés ensemble” and shows that the items were put in the same group or place. It can be reused with verbs such as “travailler ensemble”.

trouver “Trouver” means “find” in “pour les trouver facilement”. It follows “pour” and expresses the purpose of organizing the items.

Ça “Ça” means “that” or “it” in “Ça devrait rendre le voyage plus tranquille” and refers to the arrangement just described. It is commonly used to refer back to an action, idea, or situation.

devrait “Devrait” means “should” in “Ça devrait rendre le voyage plus tranquille” and expresses an expected result. The pattern “ça devrait + infinitive” is useful for predicting what an action will achieve.

rendre “Rendre” means “make” in “rendre le voyage plus tranquille”, describing a change in the travel experience. The pattern “rendre quelque chose + adjective” means “make something + adjective”.

plus “Plus” means “more” in “plus tranquille” and indicates a higher degree of calm. It is placed before the adjective in this comparative expression.

tranquille “Tranquille” means “calm” or “peaceful” in “rendre le voyage plus tranquille”. Here it describes the journey as less stressful if plans change.

si “Si” means “if” in “si les plans changent” and introduces the condition under which the trip may become calmer. It is used to connect a possible situation with its result.

plans “Plans” means “plans” in “si les plans changent”. It refers to the arrangements for the journey and can be reused in “changer ses plans” for “change one’s plans”.

changent “Changent” means “change” in “si les plans changent”, describing a possible alteration to the travel arrangements. It is used here with the plural subject “les plans”.

aussi “Aussi” means “also” in “J’ai aussi laissé de la place” and adds another preparation to the ones already mentioned. It is commonly placed near the verb or auxiliary of the added action.

laissé “Laissé” means “left” in “J’ai aussi laissé de la place” and says that the speaker kept some room available. The pattern “laisser de la place pour...” is useful when reserving room for something.

place “Place” means “space” or “room” in “laissé de la place”. It refers to available room inside the bags, and the phrase “avoir de la place” means “to have room”.

tout “Tout” means “everything” or “all” in “pour tout ce qu’on pourrait prendre”. It refers broadly to any things the speakers might pick up during the journey.

ce In “tout ce qu’on pourrait prendre”, “ce” helps introduce “what” the speakers might pick up. The construction “ce que...” is used to refer to an unspecified thing or things.

qu’on “Qu’on” introduces the clause “qu’on pourrait prendre” and contains “que” plus “on”. Here, “on” refers to the speakers, so the clause means “that we might pick up”.

pourrait “Pourrait” means “could” or “might” in “qu’on pourrait prendre”, expressing a possible future action. It is followed by the infinitive “prendre”.

prendre “Prendre” means “take” or “pick up” in “qu’on pourrait prendre”. It names the possible action involving things the speakers may acquire during the journey.

Alors “Alors” means “then” in “Alors, nous devrions pouvoir partir” and draws a conclusion from the preparations. It is commonly used at the start of a sentence to introduce a consequence or next step.

nous “Nous” means “we” in “nous devrions pouvoir partir” and refers to both speakers. It is used as the subject before the verb phrase.

devrions “Devrions” means “should” in “nous devrions pouvoir partir” and expresses the speakers’ expectation that leaving will be possible. The pattern is “nous devrions pouvoir + infinitive”.

pouvoir “Pouvoir” means “be able to” in “devrions pouvoir partir”. It follows “devrions” and introduces the action that should be possible.

partir “Partir” means “leave” or “depart” in “pouvoir partir”. It is the action the speakers expect to be able to do from the station.

sans “Sans” means “without” in “sans refaire les bagages” and introduces an action that will not be necessary. It is followed here by an infinitive.

refaire “Refaire” means “do again” or, in this context, “repack” in “refaire les bagages”. The prefix “re-” indicates that the action would be done again, and the pattern keeps the object “les bagages”.

bagages “Bagages” means “luggage” or “bags” in “refaire les bagages”. It refers to the packed travel belongings, and “faire les bagages” means “pack one’s bags”.

gare “Gare” means “station” in “à la gare”. It identifies the place where the speakers expect to leave, and the location pattern is “à la gare”.

Grammar Points

avoir besoin de + nom

Ils ont besoin de médicaments.

eel-ZOHN buh-ZWAN duh may-dee-ka-MAHN

They need medicines.

French expresses “need” with avoir besoin de, literally “to have need of.”

si + proposition

Si les plans changent, alors partir.

SEE lay PLAHN SHAHNZH, ah-LOR par-TEER

If the plans change, then leave.

Si introduces a condition and means “if”; the following clause states what may happen.

French Vocabulary

affaire noun

ah-FAIR thing; item affaires

avant prep

ah-VAHN before

avoir verb

ah-VWAR to have ont

ont besoin de

besoin noun

buh-ZWAN need

avoir besoin de

commencer verb

koh-mahn-SAY to start Commence

départ noun

day-PAR departure; leaving

dernier adj

der-NYAY last; final dernière

dont pron

DOHN that; which; of whom

pendant prep

pahn-DAHN during

sac noun

SAK bag sacs

sacs de voyage

vérification noun

vay-ree-fee-ka-SYOHN check

voyage noun

vwa-YAHZH journey; trip

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

They are in the side pocket.

Show Answer

Ils sont dans la poche latérale.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

need

Show Answer

besoin

before

Show Answer

avant

last; final

Show Answer

dernière

to start

Show Answer

Commence