Checking the Apartment Before a Long Trip | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Before leaving for a long trip, two adults check an apartment's appliances, locks, thermostat, and package arrangements..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking the Apartment Before a Long Trip to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Nous serons absents pendant plusieurs jours, alors vérifions bien l'appartement.

noo suh-ROHN ab-SAHN pahn-DAHN ploo-ZYUR zhoor, ah-LOHR vay-ree-fee-OHN byehn la-par-tuh-MAHN. We'll be away for several days, so let's double-check the apartment.
B

J'ai débranché les petits appareils et éteint la cuisinière.

zhay day-brahn-SHAY lay puh-TEE za-pah-RAY ay ay-TAN la kwee-zee-NYEHR. I unplugged the small appliances and turned off the stove.
A

La porte du balcon et les fenêtres de la chambre sont-elles bien fermées ?

la PORT doo bal-KOHN ay lay fuh-NETR duh la SHAHM-bruh sohn-TEL byehn fer-MAY? Are the balcony door and bedroom windows secure?
B

La porte du balcon est verrouillée, et je vais vérifier les fenêtres de la chambre maintenant.

la PORT doo bal-KOHN ay ver-roo-YAY, ay zhuh vay vay-ree-FYAY lay fuh-NETR duh la SHAHM-bruh man-tuh-NAHN. The balcony door is locked, and I will check the bedroom windows now.
A

Devrait-on baisser le thermostat pendant notre absence ?

duh-VRAY-tohn bay-SAY luh ter-moh-STA pahn-DAHN noh-truh ab-SAHNS? Should we lower the thermostat while we are gone?
B

Baisse-le, mais pas au point que l'appartement devienne trop froid.

bess-luh, may pah oh PWAHN kuh la-par-tuh-MAHN duh-VYEN too FROH. Set it lower, but not so low that the apartment gets too cold.
A

J'ai aussi demandé à notre voisin de récupérer les colis.

zhay oh-SEE duh-mahn-DAY ah noh-truh vwah-ZAN duh ray-koo-PAY lay koh-LEE. I also asked our neighbor to collect any packages.
B

Cela donne l'impression que le logement est occupé pendant notre absence.

suh-LAH dohn lahn-preh-SYOHN kuh luh lozh-MAHN ay oh-koo-PAY pahn-DAHN noh-truh ab-SAHNS. That helps the place look occupied while we are away.
A

Maintenant, je me sens plus tranquille à l'idée de partir.

man-tuh-NAHN, zhuh muh sahn ploo trahn-KEEL ah lee-DAY duh par-TEER. Now I feel more relaxed about leaving.
B

Cette liste de vérification a pris un peu de temps, mais cela en valait la peine.

set LEEST duh vay-ree-fee-ka-SYOHN ah PREE uhn puh duh TAHN, may suh-LAH ahn vah-LAY la PEN. This checklist took a little time, but it was worth it.

Word by Word

Nous «Nous» means “we” and refers to the two people speaking together. It is used as the subject in «Nous serons absents». Use it when describing an action or situation shared by the speaker and another person, such as before leaving together.
serons «serons» means “will be” in «Nous serons absents», describing a future situation. It is the future form used with «Nous». Use «Nous serons...» to describe where or how a group will be later.
absents «absents» means “away” or “absent” from the apartment. In «Nous serons absents», it describes the speakers’ future absence. Use it after a form of être when people will not be in a place.
pendant «pendant» means “for” here and introduces the length of the absence in «pendant plusieurs jours». It is used before a period of time. Use «pendant» to say how long an activity or situation continues.
plusieurs «plusieurs» means “several” and indicates more than one day without giving an exact number. It directly modifies «jours» in «plusieurs jours». Use it before a plural noun when referring to an unspecified number of items or periods.
jours «jours» means “days” in «pendant plusieurs jours». It names the period during which the speakers will be away. Use it after a quantity or time expression to describe a duration.
alors «alors» means “so” here and connects the planned absence with the suggestion to check the apartment. In «..., alors vérifions bien...», it introduces the practical consequence or next action. Use it to link a situation to what should happen next.
vérifions «vérifions» means “let’s check” and invites the speakers to check the apartment together. In «vérifions bien l'appartement», it is an instruction including the speaker. Use this form to suggest a shared action.
bien «bien» means “carefully” or “thoroughly” in «vérifions bien». It emphasizes that the checking should be done properly. Use «bien» with an action when you want to stress that it should be done carefully or completely.
l'appartement «l'appartement» means “the apartment”, the place being checked before the trip. The form «l'» is the shortened form of the article before the vowel sound in «appartement». Use it when referring to this particular apartment.
J'ai «J'ai» means “I have” and begins the completed-action construction «J'ai débranché». Here it helps say that the speaker has already unplugged the appliances. Use «J'ai» followed by a past participle to report a completed action.
débranché «débranché» means “unplugged” in «J'ai débranché les petits appareils». It describes disconnecting the appliances from their power supply. Use it with an appliance or device as the object when reporting that it has been unplugged.
les «les» means “the” before the plural noun «petits appareils». It identifies the appliances as specific items known in the situation. Use «les» before a plural noun when referring to particular people or things.
petits «petits» means “small” and describes the appliances in «les petits appareils». It comes before the noun and agrees with it in the dialogue. Use it before a noun when describing something as small.
appareils «appareils» means “appliances” in «les petits appareils». It refers to the small electrical devices that were unplugged. Use it with an action such as «débranché» when talking about disconnecting appliances or devices.
et «et» means “and” and joins the two completed actions «débranché» and «éteint». It shows that both actions were done. Use it to connect two related words, phrases, or actions.
éteint «éteint» means “turned off” in «éteint la cuisinière». It describes switching off the stove, coordinated with unplugging the appliances. Use it with an appliance, light, or other device when reporting that it was switched off.
la «la» means “the” before the feminine singular noun in «la cuisinière» and «La porte». It identifies a specific item in the apartment. Use «la» before a singular feminine noun when referring to a particular thing.
cuisinière «cuisinière» means “stove” in «la cuisinière». It is the appliance that was turned off before leaving. Use it as the object of an action such as «éteint» when talking about switching off the stove.
porte «porte» means “door” in «La porte du balcon». It refers specifically to the balcony door being checked for security. Use it with a location or room to identify a particular door.
du «du» means “of the” in «la porte du balcon», identifying which door is meant. It is the contracted form of «de» and «le». Use «du» before a masculine singular noun when expressing a relationship such as “the door of the balcony.”
balcon «balcon» means “balcony” in «la porte du balcon». It specifies the location associated with the door. Use it after «du» when naming the balcony as the relevant place.
fenêtres «fenêtres» means “windows” in «les fenêtres de la chambre». It refers to the bedroom windows that need to be checked. Use it with a location phrase to identify which windows are meant.
de «de» means “of” in «les fenêtres de la chambre» and links the windows to the bedroom. It introduces the place or thing associated with a noun. Use «de» before a noun to express a relationship such as location or belonging.
chambre «chambre» means “bedroom” in «les fenêtres de la chambre». It identifies the room where the windows are located. Use it after «de la» when specifying that something belongs to or is located in the bedroom.
sont «sont» means “are” and links the windows to their condition in «sont-elles bien fermées». It is used with the plural subject «les fenêtres». Use it before a description when saying what condition several things are in.
elles «elles» means “they” here and refers back to «les fenêtres». In «sont-elles», it forms the question about whether the windows are securely closed. Use it to refer to a group of feminine nouns.
fermées «fermées» means “closed” or “securely shut” in «sont-elles bien fermées». It describes the condition the windows should be in. Use it with être when checking whether doors or windows are closed.
est «est» means “is” in «La porte du balcon est verrouillée». It links the singular door to its locked condition. Use it before a description when stating the condition of one thing.
verrouillée «verrouillée» means “locked” in «est verrouillée». It describes the balcony door as secured with its lock. Use it with a door or another lockable object when confirming that it is locked.
je «je» means “I” and is the subject of «je vais vérifier». It identifies the speaker as the person who will check the windows. Use it before a verb when speaking about your own action.
vais «vais» contributes the meaning “am going to” in «je vais vérifier». Together with an infinitive, it indicates an action that the speaker is about to do. Use «je vais + infinitive» to announce an imminent or planned action.
vérifier «vérifier» means “to check” in «je vais vérifier les fenêtres». It is the action the speaker is about to perform. Use it before the object being checked, as in «vérifier les fenêtres».
maintenant «maintenant» means “now” in «je vais vérifier ... maintenant». It places the planned checking at the present moment. Use it to say that something is happening or will happen immediately.
Devrait «Devrait» means “should” in «Devrait-on baisser le thermostat ?» and introduces a suggestion for what to do. The question asks whether lowering the thermostat is advisable. Use it in a question when proposing or asking about an appropriate action.
on «on» means “we” here in «Devrait-on», referring to the two speakers. It presents the suggestion as a shared action rather than naming one person. Use «on» when speaking generally or when referring to a group that includes the speaker.
baisser «baisser» means “to lower” in «baisser le thermostat». It names the proposed action affecting the thermostat. Use it before an object when saying that its level, position, or setting should be reduced.
le «le» means “the” before «thermostat» in «le thermostat». It identifies the particular thermostat in the apartment. Use «le» before a singular masculine noun when referring to a specific thing.
thermostat «thermostat» means “thermostat” in «baisser le thermostat». It is the device whose setting may be lowered while the speakers are away. Use it with an action such as «baisser» when discussing temperature settings.
notre «notre» means “our” in «notre absence». It shows that the absence belongs to the two speakers. Use it before a singular noun to indicate that something is associated with the speaker and another person.
absence «absence» means “absence” in «pendant notre absence». It refers to the period when the speakers are not at the apartment. Use it after «pendant» to describe what happens while someone is away.
Baisse «Baisse» means “lower” or “turn down” as a direct instruction in «Baisse-le». The speaker tells the other person to reduce the thermostat setting. Use this form when directly asking one person to lower something.
mais «mais» means “but” and introduces a limitation in «Baisse-le, mais pas au point...». It connects the instruction to a warning about not lowering the setting too far. Use it to add an exception, restriction, or opposing point.
pas «pas» contributes the meaning “not” in «pas au point que». It prevents the lowering from reaching an excessive degree. Use it with a negative expression to restrict or reject an action or result.
au «au» means “to the” in the expression «au point que». It is the contracted form of «à» and «le» and introduces a degree or extent. Use «au point que» when describing a result reached to a particular extent.
point «point» means “extent” in «au point que l'appartement devienne trop froid», not a physical point. It helps express how far an action should go. Use it in «au point que» to describe the degree at which a result occurs.
que «que» introduces the result clause «que l'appartement devienne trop froid». It connects the stated degree with the consequence being avoided. Use it after an expression such as «au point» to introduce the resulting situation.
devienne «devienne» means “becomes” or “gets” in «que l'appartement devienne trop froid». It describes the apartment changing into an excessively cold state. Use it when describing a change of condition after an expression that introduces a possible result.
trop «trop» means “too” in «trop froid». It shows that the degree of cold would be excessive. Use it before an adjective when describing more of a quality than is desirable.
froid «froid» means “cold” in «l'appartement devienne trop froid». It describes the temperature the apartment should not reach. Use it after a form of devenir or être to describe something as cold.
aussi «aussi» means “also” in «J'ai aussi demandé». It adds the request to the earlier apartment checks. Use it to introduce another action or fact that belongs with what has already been mentioned.
demandé «demandé» means “asked” in «J'ai aussi demandé à notre voisin». It reports that the speaker made a request to the neighbor. Use «demander à quelqu'un de...» when saying that you asked someone to do something.
à «à» marks the person receiving the request in «demandé à notre voisin». It identifies whom the speaker asked before the requested action «de récupérer les colis». Use «demander à» before the person being asked.
voisin «voisin» means “neighbor” in «notre voisin». It refers to the person who was asked to collect the packages. Use it after a possessive such as «notre» when identifying a nearby resident.
récupérer «récupérer» means “to collect” or “retrieve” in «de récupérer les colis». It names the action the neighbor was asked to carry out. Use it after «de» when describing the requested action of collecting something.
colis «colis» means “packages” in «récupérer les colis». It refers to deliveries that the neighbor will collect. Use it as the object of «récupérer» when talking about collecting packages.
Cela «Cela» means “that” or “it” and refers to the arrangement of having the neighbor collect the packages. In «Cela donne l'impression...», it presents that arrangement as the cause of the impression. Use it to refer back to an action or situation already mentioned.
donne «donne» means “gives” in «Cela donne l'impression que...». It says that the package arrangement creates a particular impression. Use «donner l'impression que...» when saying that something makes a situation seem a certain way.
l'impression «l'impression» means “the impression” in «donne l'impression que le logement est occupé». It names the appearance or idea created by the arrangement. Use «donner l'impression que...» to describe how something appears to an observer.
logement «logement» means “home” or “dwelling” in «le logement est occupé». It refers to the apartment as a place where someone might live. Use it when discussing a residence without repeating the more specific word «appartement».
occupé «occupé» means “occupied” in «le logement est occupé». It describes the home as appearing to have someone living in it. Use it after être when saying that a place is occupied.
me «me» means “me” in the reflexive expression «je me sens». It connects the feeling to the speaker. Use «me» with «sentir» when describing how you yourself feel.
sens «sens» means “feel” in «je me sens plus tranquille». It describes the speaker’s emotional state after completing the checks. Use it with a feeling or state to say how you are feeling.
plus «plus» means “more” in «plus tranquille». It shows that the speaker feels calmer than before. Use it before an adjective to compare the current degree of a quality with an earlier one.
tranquille «tranquille» means “relaxed” or “at ease” in «je me sens plus tranquille». It describes the speaker’s calmer feeling about leaving. Use it after «se sentir» to describe an emotional state.
l'idée «l'idée» means “the idea” in «à l'idée de partir». Here it refers to the prospect of leaving. Use «à l'idée de + infinitive» when describing how you feel about the thought of doing something.
partir «partir» means “to leave” in «à l'idée de partir». It names the action the speaker is thinking about. Use it after «de» to describe the act of leaving a place.
Cette «Cette» means “this” and points to the specific list in «Cette liste de vérification». It comes before the singular noun it identifies. Use it before a singular feminine noun when referring to a particular nearby or already mentioned thing.
liste «liste» means “list” in «Cette liste de vérification». It refers to the set of checks made before leaving. Use it with «de» to specify what the list contains or is for.
vérification «vérification» means “checking” or “verification” in «liste de vérification». It identifies the purpose of the list: checking the apartment and its equipment. Use it after «liste de» when naming a checklist.
a «a» means “has” and acts as the auxiliary in «a pris un peu de temps». Together with «pris», it reports that the checklist required some time. Use «a» with a past participle to describe a completed event.
pris «pris» means “took” in «a pris un peu de temps». It says that the checklist required a small amount of time. Use it in the pattern «prendre du temps» when describing how long an activity requires.
un «un» contributes the meaning “a” in «un peu de temps». Together with «peu», it introduces a small amount rather than one separate item. Use «un peu de» before a noun to say “a little” of something.
peu «peu» means “little” or “a small amount” in «un peu de temps». It indicates that the checklist required only a limited amount of time. Use «un peu de» before a noun for a small quantity.
temps «temps» means “time” in «un peu de temps». It is the resource that the checklist required. Use it with «prendre» when saying that an activity takes time.
en «en» refers back to the time and effort involved in doing the checklist in «cela en valait la peine». Together with «valait la peine», it forms the expression meaning “it was worth it”. Use «en» in this expression when referring back to an action, effort, or experience.
valait «valait» means “was worth” in «cela en valait la peine». It evaluates the checklist positively despite the time it required. Use it in «en valoir la peine» to say that an action or effort was worthwhile.
peine «peine» means “trouble” or “effort” within «cela en valait la peine». The whole expression says that the checklist was worth the time and effort. Use «en valoir la peine» when deciding whether an action was worthwhile.

Grammar Points

Baisse-le

Baisse-le maintenant.

bess-luh man-tuh-NAHN.

Turn it down now.

In an affirmative imperative, the object pronoun follows the verb and is joined with a hyphen.

fenêtres fermées et verrouillées

Les fenêtres sont fermées et verrouillées.

lay fuh-NETR sohn fer-MAY ay ver-roo-YAY.

The windows are closed and locked.

Adjectives agree with a feminine plural noun: fermées and verrouillées both take -es.

French Vocabulary

absent adj
ab-SAHN away; absent absents
appareil noun
ah-pa-RAY appliance; device appareils
appartement noun
ah-par-tuh-MAHN apartment
balcon noun
bal-KOHN balcony
cuisinière noun
kwee-zee-NYEHR stove
débrancher verb
day-brahn-SHAY to unplug débranché
éteindre verb
ay-TANDR to turn off; to extinguish éteint
fenêtre noun
fuh-NETR window fenêtres
pendant prep
pahn-DAHN for; during
plusieurs det
ploo-ZYUR several
porte noun
PORT door
vérifier verb
vay-ree-FYAY to check; to verify vérifions

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

appliance; device

Show Answerappareils

apartment

Show Answerappartement

to unplug

Show Answerdébranché

several

Show Answerplusieurs