About This Lesson
Use Checking in for a clinic visit to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
J'ai rendez-vous à la clinique.
zhay rahn-day-VOO ah lah klee-NEEK. I have a clinic appointment.
A
Mais je ne sais pas vraiment quoi faire en premier.
meh zhuh nuh say pah vray-MAHN kwah fehr ahn pruh-MYAY. But I am not sure what to do first.
B
Commencez à l'accueil et montrez-leur votre carte d'assurance.
koh-mahn-SAY ah lah-KUH-yay mohn-TRAY-lur vohtr kart dah-SUR-AHNS. Start at reception and show them your insurance card.
A
Est-ce que je devrai remplir un formulaire avant de voir l'infirmière ?
ess-kuh zhuh duh-VRAY rahm-PEEL uhn for-moo-LAIR ah-VAHN duh vwar lan-feer-MYAIR? Will I need to fill out a form before I see the nurse?
B
Probablement, surtout si c'est votre première visite.
proh-bahbl-MAHN, seur-TOO see say voo-truh pruh-MYAIR vee-ZEET. Probably, especially if this is your first visit.
A
Est-ce que je dois ensuite attendre dans la salle d'attente principale ?
ess-kuh zhuh dwah ahn-SWEET ah-TAHND duhns lah sahl dah-TAHNT prahn-see-PAHL? Should I wait in the main waiting room after that?
B
Restez-y, sauf si l'accueil vous envoie ailleurs.
res-TAY-ZEE, sohf see lah-KUH-yay voo ahn-VWAH ah-YUR. Stay there unless reception sends you somewhere else.
A
Je suis nerveux quand je ne connais pas la procédure.
zhuh swee nehr-VUH kahn zhuh nuh koh-NAY pah lah proh-say-DUR. I feel nervous when I do not know the procedure.
B
C'est normal. Vous pouvez demander au personnel de vous expliquer chaque étape.
say nor-MAHL. Voo poo-VAY duh-mahn-DAY oh pair-soh-NEL duh voo ex-plee-KAY shak ay-TAHP. That is normal. You can ask the staff to explain each step.
A
J'arriverai tôt pour avoir assez de temps pour remplir les documents.
zhah-ree-vray toh poor ah-VWAR ah-SAY duh tahn poor rahm-PEEL lay doh-koo-MAHN. I will arrive early so I have enough time for the paperwork.
B
Avoir plus de temps devrait rendre le rendez-vous moins précipité.
ah-VWAR ploo duh tahn duh-VRAY rahndr luh rahn-day-VOO mwan pray-see-pee-TAY. Extra time should make the appointment feel less rushed.Word by Word
J'ai
In "J'ai rendez-vous à la clinique", "J'ai" means "I have" and introduces the speaker's appointment. It is used with a noun in patterns such as "J'ai ..." when stating that you have something or an arrangement. You could use it when telling reception that you have an appointment.
rendez-vous
In this dialogue, "rendez-vous" means an appointment. The expression comes from the components "rendez" and "vous", but together "rendez-vous" names a scheduled meeting or visit. Reuse it in "J'ai rendez-vous ..." when arranging or confirming a meeting, including a clinic visit.
à
In "à la clinique", "à" indicates the place where the appointment is. It commonly appears before a place with the pattern "à + place". Use this pattern when saying where an appointment or activity takes place.
la
In "la clinique", "la" is the feminine singular form of "the". It comes before the feminine singular noun "clinique". Use it before a feminine singular place or object when referring to a specific one.
clinique
In this dialogue, "clinique" means clinic in "à la clinique". It names the healthcare place where the appointment will happen. You can use it after a place expression such as "à la" when talking about a clinic visit.
Mais
At the start of the second line, "Mais" means "but" and introduces a difficulty or qualification. It connects the appointment with the speaker's uncertainty about what to do. Use "Mais" to contrast the previous statement with a new point.
je
In "je ne sais pas", "je" means "I" and identifies the speaker as the subject. It is used before a verb when the speaker describes their own knowledge or action. Use "je" with a first-person statement about yourself.
ne
In "je ne sais pas", "ne" helps form the negative expression meaning "I do not know". Here it works together with "pas" around "sais". Use the pattern "ne ... pas" to negate a verb in a standard sentence.
sais
In "je ne sais pas", "sais" means "know", specifically knowing what to do. The negative form "ne sais pas" expresses that the speaker lacks this information. Use it with a question word or clause when saying that you do not know something.
pas
In "je ne sais pas", "pas" completes the negation and gives the meaning "do not". It appears with "ne" around the verb "sais" here. Use "ne ... pas" when saying that you do not know or do not do something.
vraiment
In "je ne sais pas vraiment", "vraiment" means "really" and softens or qualifies the speaker's uncertainty. It is placed after the negated verb phrase in this sentence. Use it to indicate the degree or sincerity of what you are saying.
quoi
In "quoi faire", "quoi" means "what" and identifies the thing to be done. Together with "faire", it forms the question-like expression "quoi faire" meaning "what to do". Use it when discussing which action is needed.
faire
In "quoi faire", "faire" means "do" and names the action the speaker is unsure about. It stays in this infinitive form after "quoi". Use "quoi faire" when asking or explaining that you do not know which action to take.
en
In "en premier", "en" is part of the expression meaning "first" or "in the first place". It links the action with its order in the procedure. Use the pattern "en premier" when identifying the first step.
premier
In "en premier", "premier" means "first" and indicates the initial step. Together with "en", it tells the listener which action should happen before the others. Use "en premier" when giving instructions in an ordered process.
Commencez
In "Commencez à l'accueil", "Commencez" tells the listener to start or begin. It is used as an instruction addressed formally to one person or to several people. Use it before a place or activity when explaining the first step of a procedure.
l'accueil
In this dialogue, "l'accueil" means reception or the front desk at the clinic. It names the place where the visitor should begin the check-in process. Use it when directing someone to the reception area of a clinic or other organization.
et
In "Commencez à l'accueil et montrez-leur ...", "et" means "and". It links two instructions that belong to the same sequence. Use it to join related actions or steps.
montrez
In "montrez-leur votre carte", "montrez" means "show" and gives the instruction to present something. It is addressed formally to one person or to several people. Use it with an object in patterns such as "montrez ..." when asking someone to display a document or card.
leur
In "montrez-leur", "leur" means "to them" and identifies the people who should be shown the card. It follows the verb in this hyphenated instruction. Use it after a verb such as "montrez" when the recipients are more than one person.
votre
In "votre carte", "votre" means "your" and refers respectfully to the listener's card. It is used when addressing one person formally or several people. Use it before the noun that belongs to the person or people being addressed.
carte
In "votre carte d'assurance", "carte" means "card". It names the physical card that the visitor should show at reception. Use it with a specification after it when identifying a particular type of card.
d'assurance
In "carte d'assurance", "d'assurance" means "of insurance" and specifies what kind of card it is. The expression is used after "carte" to form the complete meaning "insurance card". Use this noun pattern when identifying an object by its purpose or category.
Est-ce que
In "Est-ce que je devrai ... ?", "Est-ce que" introduces a yes-or-no question. The expression contains "Est", "ce", and "que", but together they function as a question marker rather than describing a literal object. Use it before a normal statement word order when asking about a future requirement or another fact.
devrai
In "je devrai remplir", "devrai" expresses that the speaker will have to fill out a form. It is used with the infinitive "remplir" to state a future obligation. Use it when asking or saying what will be required later.
remplir
In "remplir un formulaire", "remplir" means "fill out" and describes completing the form. It follows "devrai" in the infinitive form. Use it with an object such as "un formulaire" when completing written information.
un
In "un formulaire", "un" means "a" or "an" and introduces one unspecified form. It comes directly before the noun "formulaire". Use it before a singular noun when referring to one non-specific item.
formulaire
In this dialogue, "formulaire" means form, specifically a document that may need to be completed before seeing the nurse. It follows "un" in "un formulaire". Use it when talking about an official form that someone must fill out.
avant
In "avant de voir l'infirmière", "avant" means "before" and places one action earlier than another. Here it introduces the point before seeing the nurse. Use the pattern "avant de + infinitive" when comparing the timing of two actions.
de
In "avant de voir", "de" links "avant" to the following infinitive. The complete pattern "avant de voir" means "before seeing". Use "de" after "avant" when the next action is expressed with an infinitive.
voir
In "voir l'infirmière", "voir" means "see" and refers to meeting or being seen by the nurse. It remains in the infinitive after "avant de". Use it with a person as the object when referring to seeing that person.
l'infirmière
In this dialogue, "l'infirmière" means "the nurse". The article and noun appear together before the action of seeing the nurse. Use it when referring to the specific nurse involved in the clinic visit.
Probablement
At the start of the answer, "Probablement" means "probably" and shows that the answer is likely but not completely certain. It can stand alone as a response to a yes-or-no question. Use it when giving a likely answer without making an absolute claim.
surtout
In "surtout si c'est votre première visite", "surtout" means "especially" and emphasizes the condition that follows. It highlights the importance of this being the listener's first visit. Use it before a reason or condition that deserves particular emphasis.
si
In "si c'est votre première visite", "si" means "if" and introduces a condition. The answer applies particularly under the condition that this is the first visit. Use "si" to connect a possible situation with its consequence or relevance.
c'est
In "si c'est votre première visite", "c'est" means "it is" or "this is" and identifies the visit as the listener's first one. It is the form used to introduce the description "votre première visite". Use it before a noun phrase when identifying or describing something.
première
In "votre première visite", "première" means "first" and describes the visit as the initial one. It appears before "visite" in this noun phrase. Use it before a feminine noun when identifying the first occurrence of something.
visite
In "votre première visite", "visite" means "visit" and refers to the person's clinic visit. It is specified by "votre première". Use it when talking about attending a place, especially in an appointment or healthcare context.
dois
In "Est-ce que je dois ensuite attendre ... ?", "dois" asks whether the speaker must or should wait. It expresses an obligation or expected action in the present situation. Use it with an infinitive to ask what you are required or expected to do.
ensuite
In "dois ensuite attendre", "ensuite" means "then" or "afterwards". It places waiting after the earlier check-in steps. Use it to organize actions in sequence.
attendre
In "attendre dans la salle d'attente", "attendre" means "wait". It follows "dois" in the infinitive and describes staying until the next stage of the visit. Use it with a place expression when saying where someone should wait.
dans
In "dans la salle d'attente", "dans" means "in" and indicates the place where the waiting happens. It is followed by the noun phrase naming that room. Use it before a location when someone is inside or remains within it.
salle
In "la salle d'attente", "salle" means "room". It is the main noun in the expression for the waiting room. Use it with a following specification when identifying a particular room.
d'attente
In "salle d'attente", "d'attente" specifies that the room is used for waiting. Together, the full expression means "waiting room". Use this expression in clinics and other places where people wait for service.
principale
In "la salle d'attente principale", "principale" means "main" and identifies which waiting room is intended. It describes "salle d'attente" in this location instruction. Use it to distinguish the main room from another room or area.
Restez
In "Restez-y", "Restez" means "stay" and gives the instruction to remain in the waiting room. It is addressed formally to one person or to several people. Use it when telling someone not to leave a place for the moment.
y
In "Restez-y", "y" means "there" and refers back to the main waiting room. It replaces the previously mentioned place so it does not need to be repeated. Use it after a verb when directing someone to remain in or go to a place already understood.
sauf
In "sauf si l'accueil vous envoie ailleurs", "sauf" means "except" or "unless". Together with "si", it introduces the exception to staying in the waiting room. Use "sauf si" when an instruction changes under a particular condition.
vous
In "vous envoie", "vous" means "you" and is the person being sent somewhere by reception. The same form can address one person formally or several people. Use it after a verb when the listener or listeners receive the action.
envoie
In "l'accueil vous envoie ailleurs", "envoie" means "sends" and describes reception directing the visitor to another place. It is followed by the person sent and the destination. Use this pattern when explaining that staff direct someone somewhere.
ailleurs
In "vous envoie ailleurs", "ailleurs" means "somewhere else" or "elsewhere". It describes a destination different from the waiting room. Use it when the exact alternative place is not specified.
suis
In "Je suis nerveux", "suis" means "am" and links the speaker with the feeling described by "nerveux". Together, the expression states the speaker's current emotional state. Use "je suis" before an adjective when describing how you feel or what state you are in.
nerveux
In "Je suis nerveux", "nerveux" means "nervous" and describes the speaker's feeling about not knowing the procedure. It follows "suis" as part of a state description. Use it when explaining that an unfamiliar or uncertain situation makes you feel nervous.
quand
In "quand je ne connais pas la procédure", "quand" means "when" and introduces the situation in which the speaker feels nervous. It connects the feeling with a recurring or relevant circumstance. Use it before a clause describing when something happens.
connais
In "je ne connais pas la procédure", "connais" means "know" or "be familiar with" the procedure. The negative expression says that the speaker is unfamiliar with it. Use it with a person, place, or subject when referring to familiarity or knowledge.
procédure
In this dialogue, "procédure" means "procedure", the series of steps involved in the clinic visit. It is the thing the speaker does not know. Use it when referring to an organized process that someone may need explained.
normal
In "C'est normal", "normal" means "normal" and reassures the speaker that the feeling is understandable. It describes the situation introduced by "C'est". Use "C'est normal" when responding supportively to a common or understandable reaction.
pouvez
In "Vous pouvez demander", "pouvez" means "can" or "are able to" and gives the listener permission or ability to ask. It is used with the infinitive "demander". Use "vous pouvez + infinitive" when suggesting an available action to a person formally or to several people.
demander
In "demander au personnel", "demander" means "ask" or "request". It introduces the action of asking the staff for an explanation. Use it with a person or group after it when saying whom you ask for help or information.
au
In "demander au personnel", "au" means "to the" and identifies the staff as the people being asked. It combines the place or recipient relationship with the article before "personnel". Use it before a singular masculine noun when addressing or requesting something from that person or group.
personnel
In this dialogue, "personnel" means "staff", the people working at the clinic. It follows "au" as the recipient of the request. Use it when referring collectively to employees who can provide help or information.
expliquer
In "vous expliquer chaque étape", "expliquer" means "explain" and names the information the staff can provide. It follows the request structure "demander ... de" and has "chaque étape" as what is explained. Use it when asking someone to make a process clear.
chaque
In "chaque étape", "chaque" means "each" or "every" and refers to the steps one by one. It comes directly before the singular noun "étape". Use it when considering the members of a group individually.
étape
In "chaque étape", "étape" means "step" in a procedure. It identifies each part that the staff can explain. Use it when asking for guidance through an ordered process.
J'arriverai
In "J'arriverai tôt", "J'arriverai" means "I will arrive" and states the speaker's planned arrival. It is used with "tôt" to explain that the arrival will be early. Use it when making a plan about when you will reach a place.
tôt
In "J'arriverai tôt", "tôt" means "early" and describes the planned arrival time. It comes after the verb and modifies when the arrival will happen. Use it when saying that you will arrive before the expected or scheduled time.
pour
In "pour avoir assez de temps", "pour" introduces the purpose of arriving early. The pattern "pour + infinitive" means "in order to" do something. Use it when explaining why an action is being planned.
avoir
In "pour avoir assez de temps", "avoir" means "have" and expresses the purpose of having enough time. It remains in the infinitive after "pour". Use "pour avoir" when explaining that an action is intended to provide or allow something.
assez
In "assez de temps", "assez" means "enough" and indicates a sufficient amount. It comes before "de temps" in this quantity expression. Use "assez de + noun" when saying that the amount is sufficient for a purpose.
temps
In "assez de temps", "temps" means "time", referring to the time available for completing the paperwork. It follows the quantity expression "assez de". Use it when discussing whether there is sufficient time for an activity.
les
In "les documents", "les" means "the" before a plural noun. It introduces the specific documents that need to be completed. Use it before plural nouns when referring to known or particular items.
documents
In "remplir les documents", "documents" means "documents" or "paperwork". It refers to the written materials the visitor needs to complete before the appointment. Use it with "remplir" when talking about completing required paperwork.
plus
In "avoir plus de temps", "plus" means "more" or "extra" and indicates an increased amount of time. It is used in the pattern "plus de temps". Use this pattern when comparing the available amount with a smaller amount or emphasizing an additional amount.
devrait
In "devrait rendre le rendez-vous ...", "devrait" means "should" and expresses an expected result. It is followed by the infinitive "rendre". Use it when saying that one action or circumstance is expected to produce a result.
rendre
In "rendre le rendez-vous moins précipité", "rendre" means "make" and introduces the result that extra time is expected to create. It is followed by the object and the description of the resulting state. Use the pattern "rendre + object + adjective" when saying that something makes another thing become a certain way.
le
In "le rendez-vous", "le" means "the" before the singular noun "rendez-vous". It refers to the specific appointment being discussed. Use it before a masculine singular noun when referring to a particular item or event.
moins
In "moins précipité", "moins" means "less" and reduces the degree of the description. It modifies "précipité" to express that the appointment will feel less rushed. Use "moins + adjective" when comparing a quality with a lower degree of that quality.
précipité
In "le rendez-vous moins précipité", "précipité" means "rushed" or "hurried" and describes the appointment. With "moins", it expresses that the appointment should feel less rushed because there is more time. Use it to describe an event or process that happens with too much haste.
Grammar Points
avant de + infinitif
Avant de commencer, remplissez le formulaire.
ah-VAHN duh koh-mahn-SAY, rahm-plee-SAY luh for-moo-LAIR.Before starting, fill out the form.
After « avant de », use the infinitive when the subject stays the same.
adjectif après le nom et accord en genre
la première visite à la salle d'attente principale
lah pruh-MYAIR vee-ZEET ah lah sahl dah-TAHNT prahn-see-PAHLthe first visit to the main waiting room
« première » and « principale » are feminine forms agreeing with « visite » and « salle ».
French Vocabulary
accueil
noun
ah-KUH-y
reception
Commencez à l'accueil et montrez-leur votre carte d'assurance.
avant de
prep
ah-VAHN duh
before
Avant de voir l'infirmière.
carte d'assurance
phrase
kart dah-SUR-AHNS
insurance card
Montrez-leur votre carte d'assurance.
clinique
noun
klee-NEEK
clinic
J'ai rendez-vous à la clinique.
commencer
verb
koh-mahn-SAY
to start
Commencez
Commencez à l'accueil.
en premier
phrase
ahn pruh-MYAY
first
Mais je ne sais pas vraiment quoi faire en premier.
formulaire
noun
for-moo-LAIR
form
Je devrai remplir un formulaire.
infirmière
noun
an-feer-MYAIR
nurse
Avant de voir l'infirmière.
montrer
verb
mohn-TRAY
to show
montrez
Montrez-leur votre carte d'assurance.
remplir
verb
rahm-PEEL
to fill out
Je devrai remplir un formulaire.
rendez-vous
noun
rahn-day-VOO
appointment
J'ai rendez-vous à la clinique.
vraiment
adv
vray-MAHN
really
Mais je ne sais pas vraiment quoi faire en premier.
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I have a clinic appointment.
Show Answer
J'ai rendez-vous à la clinique.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to fill out
Show Answer
remplirclinic
Show Answer
cliniquereception
Show Answer
accueilreally