Respectfully addressing a shared kitchen problem | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a shared kitchen, two adults plan a calm message about cleaning dishes, counters, and trash without blaming anyone..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Respectfully addressing a shared kitchen problem to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La cuisine commune était encore en désordre après le dîner.

lah kwee-ZEEN koh-MOON eh-TEH ahn-KOR ahn day-ZOR-druh ah-PREH luh dee-NEH The shared kitchen was left messy again after dinner.
B

Nous devrions en parler sans accuser une seule personne.

noo duh-vree-OHN ahn par-LAY sahN zah-koo-ZAY oon sahl pair-SON We should bring it up without blaming one person.
A

Peut-être qu’un rappel sur les responsabilités de nettoyage aiderait.

puht-ETR kuhN ra-PEL sur lay ray-spon-sah-bee-lee-TAY duh NET-twah-YAZH eh-dreh Maybe a reminder about cleaning responsibilities would help.
B

Soyons précis en mentionnant la vaisselle, les plans de travail et les poubelles.

swa-YOHN pray-SEE ahn mahn-syoh-NAHN lah vah-SEL lay plahn duh trah-VY ay lay poo-BEL Make it specific by mentioning dishes, counters, and trash.
A

Est-ce qu’on devrait afficher un planning ou en parler d’abord dans le groupe de discussion ?

ess kuhN duh-vree-OHN ah-fee-SHAY uhN PLAH-neeng oo ahn par-LAY dah-BOR dahN luh GROOP duh dee-skoo-SYOHN Should we post a schedule or talk in the group chat first?
B

Commence par un message calme pour qu’il ne paraisse pas agressif.

koh-MAHNS par uhN meh-SAHZH KALM poor keel nuh pah-RESS pah ah-gray-SEEF Start with a calm message so it does not feel aggressive.
A

Le message peut demander à tout le monde de respecter l’espace commun.

luh meh-SAHZH puh duh-mahn-DAY ah too luh MOND duh res-pek-TAY less-PAHSS koh-MUH(N) The message can ask everyone to respect the shared space.
B

Utilise une formulation calme et évite les mots comme toujours et jamais.

yoo-tee-LEEZ oon for-myoo-lah-SYOHN KALM ay eh-VEET lay moh kohm too-ZHOOR ay zhah-MEH Use calm wording and avoid words like always and never.
A

Cela évite que le message ressemble à une attaque.

suh-LAH eh-VEET kuh luh meh-SAHZH ruh-SAHM-bluh ah oon ah-TAHK That keeps the message from sounding like an attack.
B

Des règles claires pour la cuisine fonctionnent mieux quand le ton reste respectueux.

day REHGL KLAIR poor lah kwee-ZEEN fohnk-SYOHN muh-YUH kahN luh TOHN rest res-pek-TUH Clear kitchen rules work better when the tone stays respectful.

Word by Word

La "La" is the definite article meaning “the” before the feminine noun in "La cuisine commune". It identifies a specific kitchen, and the same article appears lowercase in "la vaisselle".
cuisine "cuisine" means “kitchen” in "La cuisine commune". It is the noun that "commune" describes, and you can reuse it in expressions such as "la cuisine" for “the kitchen.”
commune "commune" means “shared” or “common” in "La cuisine commune". It describes a kitchen used by more than one person, so it is useful when discussing shared facilities or spaces.
était "était" says that the kitchen was in a messy state in "La cuisine commune était encore en désordre". It is a past form of "être" used here to describe a state, and similar descriptions can use "était" with an adjective or expression of condition.
encore "encore" means “again” in "était encore en désordre", showing that the messy state happened once more. It can also express “still” when a situation continues, so its meaning depends on the surrounding context.
en "en" helps form the expression "en désordre", meaning “messy” or “in a state of disorder.” In this use, it introduces a state, and the reusable pattern is "être en" followed by a condition or state.
désordre "désordre" means “disorder” or “mess” in the expression "en désordre". Together, "en désordre" describes the condition of the kitchen, and it can be reused after "être" to describe something that is messy.
après "après" means “after” in "après le dîner", placing the mess after dinner in time. It is commonly followed by a noun or event, as in "après le travail" for “after work.”
le "le" is the definite article meaning “the” before "dîner" in "le dîner". It presents dinner as a specific meal, and the same article appears capitalized as "Le" at the beginning of "Le message".
dîner "dîner" means “dinner” in "après le dîner". Here it is a noun referring to the meal, and it can be used after time expressions such as "avant le dîner" or "après le dîner".
Nous "Nous" means “we” in "Nous devrions en parler" and refers to the people discussing the shared kitchen. It is used as the subject before a verb, especially when the speaker explicitly includes themselves and others.
devrions "devrions" expresses “should” in "Nous devrions en parler", presenting a recommendation. It is a form of "devoir" followed here by the infinitive "parler", a reusable pattern for suggesting an action.
parler "parler" means “to talk” or “to speak” in "en parler". The pronoun "en" refers to the kitchen problem, and "parler de" is a common pattern for talking about a subject.
sans "sans" means “without” in "sans accuser une seule personne". It is followed here by the infinitive "accuser" to describe an action that should not accompany the discussion, and it can introduce another noun or infinitive in the same way.
accuser "accuser" means “to accuse” or “to blame” in "sans accuser une seule personne". It follows "sans" as the action being avoided, and the pattern "accuser quelqu’un" can be reused when identifying the person being blamed.
une "une" means “a” or “one” before the feminine noun "personne" in "une seule personne". It introduces one person without identifying her or them by name, and it commonly appears before a singular feminine noun.
seule "seule" means “single” or “only” in "une seule personne", emphasizing that the message should not blame just one person. It agrees with "personne" in this expression, and "un seul" or "une seule" can mark one item as the only one concerned.
personne "personne" means “person” in "une seule personne". It refers to an individual who might be blamed, and it can be used after a number or determiner when identifying people.
Peut-être "Peut-être" means “maybe” in "Peut-être qu’un rappel...", making the suggestion less definite. In this fixed expression, "Peut" contributes “can” and "être" contributes “be”, but the whole expression functions as “maybe”; it is useful at the beginning of a possible suggestion.
qu’un "qu’un" introduces the clause "qu’un rappel sur les responsabilités de nettoyage aiderait" after "Peut-être" and means “that a” here. It combines "que" with "un" through elision, and the pattern "Peut-être qu’un..." can introduce a possible idea.
rappel "rappel" means “reminder” in "un rappel sur les responsabilités de nettoyage". It names a message or prompt intended to make people remember something, and it can be followed by "sur" plus the topic of the reminder.
sur "sur" means “about” in "un rappel sur les responsabilités". It introduces the topic of the reminder, and the pattern "un rappel sur" can be reused before a subject or responsibility.
les "les" means “the” before the plural noun "responsabilités" in "les responsabilités de nettoyage". It refers to the responsibilities as a defined group, and it is used before plural nouns regardless of whether the group is masculine or feminine.
responsabilités "responsabilités" means “responsibilities” in "les responsabilités de nettoyage". The plural form refers to several duties connected with cleaning, and it can be followed by "de" plus the activity or area concerned.
de "de" links "responsabilités" with the activity in "les responsabilités de nettoyage", giving the meaning “cleaning responsibilities.” It commonly connects a noun with the activity, subject, or purpose that specifies it.
nettoyage "nettoyage" means “cleaning” in "les responsabilités de nettoyage". It identifies the activity covered by the responsibilities, and the pattern "de nettoyage" can specify cleaning-related duties or tasks.
aiderait "aiderait" means “would help” in "un rappel ... aiderait". It presents the reminder as a possible useful solution, and this form of "aider" can be used to describe a possible benefit or result.
Soyons "Soyons" means “let’s be” in "Soyons précis", inviting the speakers to make the message specific. It is a form of "être" used to propose a shared action, and "Soyons" can introduce a shared attitude or description.
précis "précis" means “specific” or “precise” in "Soyons précis". It asks the speakers to identify the concrete issues rather than speaking vaguely, and it can describe a message, explanation, or request that gives exact details.
mentionnant "mentionnant" means “mentioning” in "en mentionnant la vaisselle, les plans de travail et les poubelles". With "en", it explains how to make the message specific, and the pattern "en mentionnant" can introduce the details used to achieve a result.
vaisselle "vaisselle" means “dishes” or “dishware” in "la vaisselle". It refers collectively to the dishes that need cleaning, and it is commonly used with an article when discussing dishes as a household task.
plans de travail "plans de travail" means “counters” or “work surfaces” in the kitchen. In this expression, "plans" names the surfaces, "de" links them to "travail", and the full expression refers to surfaces used for work rather than to plans in general.
et "et" means “and” in "la vaisselle, les plans de travail et les poubelles". It joins the final item to the other examples, and it can connect nouns, phrases, or complete ideas.
poubelles "poubelles" means “trash bins” or “garbage” in the list of kitchen tasks. The plural refers to the bins or trash that need attention, and it can be included in a list of household cleaning responsibilities.
Est-ce "Est-ce" introduces the yes-or-no question "Est-ce qu’on devrait afficher un planning...". It is a fixed interrogative structure in which "Est" and "ce" work together, and it is useful at the beginning of a direct question.
qu’on "qu’on" introduces the clause "qu’on devrait afficher un planning" after "Est-ce". It combines "que" with "on" through elision; here "on" refers to “we”, and the structure is used to ask about a proposed action.
devrait "devrait" expresses “should” in "qu’on devrait afficher un planning". It is a form of "devoir" used to suggest or ask about an action, followed here by the infinitive "afficher".
afficher "afficher" means “to post” or “to display” in "afficher un planning". It describes putting the schedule where people can see it, and the pattern "afficher" followed by an object can be reused for notices, schedules, or messages.
un "un" means “a” or “one” before "planning" in "un planning". It introduces one schedule without making it previously identified, and it commonly appears before a singular masculine noun.
planning "planning" means “schedule” in "afficher un planning". It refers to an organized plan of duties or times, and it can be used as the object of verbs such as "afficher" when a schedule is being posted.
ou "ou" means “or” in "afficher un planning ou en parler". It presents two possible actions, and it can join alternatives in a question or suggestion.
d’abord "d’abord" means “first” in "en parler d’abord dans le groupe de discussion". It says that talking in the group chat would come before the other option, and it can mark the first step in a sequence.
dans "dans" means “in” in "dans le groupe de discussion". It places the conversation inside the group chat or discussion group, and it is commonly followed by a noun naming a place, container, or communication space.
groupe "groupe" means “group” in "le groupe de discussion". It identifies the shared forum where the residents can talk, and it can be followed by "de" plus the activity or purpose defining the group.
discussion "discussion" means “discussion” or “chat” in "le groupe de discussion". It specifies that the group is for conversation, and the construction "groupe de discussion" can describe an online or in-person discussion group.
Commence "Commence" means “start” or “begin” in "Commence par un message calme". It gives a direct instruction to begin with a calm message, and it can be followed by "par" plus the first step or item.
par "par" means “with” in "Commence par un message calme", identifying the first thing to use. The pattern "commencer par" means “start with” and can be followed by a noun or an action.
message "message" means “message” in "un message calme". It refers to the written communication being prepared for the group, and it can be described by an adjective such as "calme".
calme "calme" means “calm” in "un message calme". It describes the intended tone of the message, and it can modify communication, behavior, or a person when the situation is not agitated.
pour "pour" introduces the purpose clause "pour qu’il ne paraisse pas agressif", meaning “so that it does not seem aggressive.” It is useful for explaining the goal of an action, especially before "que" and a clause.
qu’il "qu’il" introduces the clause "qu’il ne paraisse pas agressif" and refers back to the message. It combines "que" with "il" through elision, and the pattern "pour qu’il..." expresses the intended result for something masculine or referred to as “it.”
ne "ne" is the first part of the negation in "ne paraisse pas agressif". It works together with "pas" to say that the message should not seem aggressive, and the pattern "ne...pas" surrounds the verb.
paraisse "paraisse" means “seem” or “appear” in "qu’il ne paraisse pas agressif". It describes how the message might be perceived, and it can be followed by an adjective describing that appearance.
pas "pas" completes the negation in "ne paraisse pas agressif", giving the meaning “does not seem aggressive.” It is used with "ne" around the verb, and the pair "ne...pas" is the standard written pattern for negation.
agressif "agressif" means “aggressive” in "ne paraisse pas agressif". It describes the impression the message should avoid giving, and it can follow a verb such as "paraître" to describe how something seems.
peut "peut" means “can” or “may” in "Le message peut demander...". It presents the request as a possible function of the message, and it is commonly followed by an infinitive such as "demander".
demander "demander" means “to ask” or “to request” in "peut demander à tout le monde de respecter...". The reusable pattern is "demander à quelqu’un de" followed by an infinitive, which identifies who is asked and what they are asked to do.
à "à" marks the people being asked in "demander à tout le monde de respecter...". It follows "demander" before the person or group receiving the request, and the pattern "demander à" can be followed by a person or group.
tout "tout" helps form the expression "tout le monde", which means “everyone” in this dialogue. It contributes the idea of the whole group rather than one individual, and "tout le monde" is a common way to address or refer to everyone.
monde "monde" is part of the fixed expression "tout le monde", meaning “everyone” here. The whole expression refers to all the people in the shared space, and it can follow verbs such as "demander à" when addressing a group.
respecter "respecter" means “to respect” in "de respecter l’espace commun". It is the action requested from everyone, and the pattern "demander de respecter" can be reused for asking people to respect a rule, place, or person.
l’espace "l’espace" means “the space” in "l’espace commun". The article "l’" is the elided form of the definite article before a vowel, and the phrase identifies the shared area that everyone should treat respectfully.
commun "commun" means “shared” or “common” in "l’espace commun". It describes a space used by everyone in the group, and it can modify other nouns referring to something jointly used.
Utilise "Utilise" means “use” in "Utilise une formulation calme". It gives a direct instruction about choosing words for the message, and it can be followed by the thing being used.
formulation "formulation" means “wording” or “phrasing” in "une formulation calme". It refers to the way the message is expressed rather than to its subject, and it is useful when discussing how to phrase a request or explanation.
évite "évite" means “avoid” in "évite les mots comme toujours et jamais". It gives a direct instruction not to use certain words, and it can be followed by the people, things, or actions to avoid.
mots "mots" means “words” in "les mots comme toujours et jamais". It introduces the specific expressions that should be avoided, and it can be followed by "comme" plus examples.
comme "comme" means “like” or “such as” in "les mots comme toujours et jamais". It introduces examples of the words being discussed, and the pattern "comme" followed by nouns or expressions is useful when giving examples.
toujours "toujours" means “always” in the example list "toujours et jamais". It is presented as a strong word that may make a complaint sound accusatory, and it can be used to describe something presented as happening every time.
jamais "jamais" means “never” in the example list "toujours et jamais". It is presented as another absolute-sounding word to avoid in a calm message, and it can be used when describing something presented as not happening at any time.
Cela "Cela" means “that” in "Cela évite que le message...", referring to the calm wording and the choice to avoid absolute words. It points back to a previous idea, and it can be used as the subject when explaining the result of an action.
que "que" introduces the clause "que le message ressemble à une attaque" after "évite". It links the action of avoiding something with the result being avoided, and this pattern can introduce a complete clause after verbs of preventing or avoiding.
ressemble "ressemble" means “resembles” or “looks like” in "ressemble à une attaque". It describes the impression created by the message, and the reusable pattern is "ressembler à" followed by the thing or impression something is like.
attaque "attaque" means “attack” in "ressemble à une attaque". It names the hostile impression that the message should not create, and it can follow "ressembler à" when describing what something appears to be like.
Des "Des" means “some” or introduces plural nouns without specifying a particular set in "Des règles claires". It presents the kitchen rules as a set of clear rules, and it is used before a plural noun.
règles "règles" means “rules” in "Des règles claires pour la cuisine". It refers to agreed instructions for using the kitchen, and it can be followed by an adjective describing the rules.
claires "claires" means “clear” in "Des règles claires". It describes rules that are easy to understand, and it can modify instructions or expectations when their meaning is explicit.
fonctionnent "fonctionnent" means “work” or “function” in "Des règles claires ... fonctionnent mieux". It says that the rules are more effective under certain conditions, and it can be used for systems, plans, methods, or rules.
mieux "mieux" means “better” in "fonctionnent mieux". It compares the effectiveness of clear rules under different tones, and it commonly follows a verb when describing improved performance or results.
quand "quand" means “when” in "quand le ton reste respectueux". It introduces the condition or time under which the rules work better, and it can begin a clause describing circumstances.
ton "ton" means “tone” in "le ton reste respectueux". It refers to the manner or attitude conveyed by the message, and it is commonly used when discussing whether communication sounds calm, hostile, or respectful.
reste "reste" means “stays” or “remains” in "le ton reste respectueux". It describes the tone continuing to have a respectful quality, and it can be followed by an adjective describing a continuing state.
respectueux "respectueux" means “respectful” in "le ton reste respectueux". It describes a tone that shows consideration for the other people, and it can follow "rester" to say that a respectful quality is maintained.

Grammar Points

sans + infinitif

Sans accuser tout le monde.

SAHN zah-koo-ZAY too luh MOND

Without blaming everyone.

After sans, use the infinitive to express an action that is not done.

éviter de + infinitif

Évite d'accuser tout le monde.

eh-VEET dah-koo-ZAY too luh MOND

Avoid blaming everyone.

The verb éviter is followed by de and an infinitive.

French Vocabulary

accuser verb
ah-koo-ZAY to blame; to accuse
commune adj
koh-MOON shared

La cuisine commune

cuisine noun
kwee-ZEEN kitchen

La cuisine commune

dîner noun
dee-NEH dinner
en désordre phrase
ahn day-ZOR-druh messy; in a mess
en parler phrase
ahn par-LAY to bring it up; to talk about it
encore adv
ahn-KOR again; still
mentionnant verb
mahn-syoh-NAHN mentioning
nettoyage noun
NET-twah-YAZH cleaning
rappel noun
ra-PEL reminder
responsabilités noun
ray-spon-sah-bee-lee-TAY responsibilities
sans prep
SAHN without

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

shared

Show Answercommune

reminder

Show Answerrappel

dinner

Show Answerdîner

without

Show Answersans