Reporting a Kitchen Sink Leak | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At home, a tenant reports a slow leak under the kitchen sink and adds concrete details for an urgent maintenance request..

EN → FR / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Reporting a Kitchen Sink Leak to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

J'ai remarqué qu'une zone humide se formait sous l'évier de la cuisine.

zhay ruh-mar-KAY kuh zohn ew-MEED suh for-MAY soo lay-VYAY duh lah kwee-ZEEN I noticed a damp patch forming under the kitchen sink.
B

Il faut s'en occuper avant que cela n'endommage le meuble.

eel foh sahn oh-kew-PAY ah-VAHN kuh suh-LAH nahn-doh-MAHZH luh MUHBL That needs attention before it damages the cabinet.
A

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

zhee ay plah-SAY uhn ray-see-PYAN, may lah fweet kohn-tee-NEW duh goo-TAY lahn-tuh-MAHN I placed a container there, but the leak is still dripping slowly.
B

Est-ce qu'il y a quelque chose de rangé là qui pourrait bloquer l'accès ?

ess kuh eel yah kel-kuh SHOHZ duh rahn-ZHAY lah kee poo-RAY bloh-KAY lahk-SAY Is anything stored there that could block access?
A

J'ai dégagé la zone, donc le technicien pourra l'inspecter facilement.

zhay day-gah-ZHAY lah zohn, dohnk luh tek-nee-SYAN poo-RAH lan-spehk-TAY fay-seel-MAHN I cleared the area, so the technician can inspect it easily.
B

Je peux la classer comme urgente, même si cela peut quand même prendre du temps à planifier.

zhuh puh lah klah-SAY kohm ew-RZHON(T), mem see suh-LAH puh kahn MEM PRAHN-druh dew TAHN ah plah-nee-FYAY I can mark it as urgent, although scheduling may still take time.
A

Veuillez mentionner que le sol commence à se déformer.

vuh-YAY mahn-syoh-NAY kuh luh sohl koh-MAHNS ah suh day-for-MAY Please mention that the floor is beginning to warp.
B

Ce détail devrait figurer dans le rapport.

suh day-TIE duh-VRAY fee-gew-RAY dahn luh rah-POR That detail should go in the report.
B

Cela a des conséquences sur la sécurité et le plan de réparation.

suh-LAH ah day kohn-say-KAHNS sewr lah say-kew-ree-TAY ay luh plahn duh ray-pah-rah-SYOHN It affects safety and the repair plan.

Word by Word

J'ai J'ai means “I have” as part of a completed action in J'ai remarqué and J'ai dégagé. It is the first-person form used with a past participle to report something the speaker did. Use it when describing an action you have completed, such as reporting that you cleared an area.
remarqué Remarqué means “noticed” in J'ai remarqué. It reports that the speaker became aware of the damp patch. Use remarquer with the thing or fact that someone noticed.
qu'une Qu'une means “that a” and introduces the fact noticed in J'ai remarqué qu'une zone humide se formait. It combines que with une before the noun zone. Use it to introduce a clause describing what someone noticed.
zone Zone means “area” or “patch” in zone humide. Here it identifies the part of the space where moisture was appearing. Use zone with a location or an adjective to identify a particular area.
humide Humide means “damp” or “wet” in zone humide. It describes the condition of the zone under the sink. Use humide for a surface or place affected by moisture.
se Se is the pronoun used in se formait to show that the zone was forming or appearing. It belongs with the verb form rather than expressing a separate object here. Use se with a verb when the subject is involved in the action described by that verb.
formait Formait means “was forming” in qu'une zone humide se formait. It presents the damp patch as developing at the time it was noticed. Use se former to describe something taking shape or appearing.
sous Sous means “under” in sous l'évier de la cuisine. It places the damp patch below the sink. Use sous with a noun to locate something beneath it.
l'évier L'évier means “the sink” in sous l'évier de la cuisine. The article l' is attached because évier begins with a vowel sound. Use l'évier when identifying the sink as a specific household fixture.
de De links évier to la cuisine in l'évier de la cuisine, meaning “the kitchen sink.” Here it expresses the relationship between the sink and the kitchen. Use de to connect a noun with a specifying noun.
la La means “the” before cuisine in de la cuisine. It marks cuisine as a specific feminine noun. Use la before a feminine singular noun when referring to a particular thing or place.
cuisine Cuisine means “kitchen” in de la cuisine. It specifies which sink is being discussed. Use cuisine when identifying the room where cooking or kitchen equipment is located.
Il Il is the impersonal subject in Il faut s'en occuper, an expression meaning that the matter needs attention. It does not refer to a specific person in this sentence. Use Il faut to state that something is necessary.
faut Faut contributes the meaning “is necessary” in Il faut s'en occuper. Together with Il, it introduces the required action of dealing with the leak. Use Il faut before an infinitive or an expression naming what is needed.
s'en occuper S'en occuper means “deal with it” or “take care of it” in Il faut s'en occuper. The expression refers back to the leak or the problem, with s' and en working together with occuper. Use Il faut s'en occuper when saying that a problem requires attention.
avant Avant means “before” in avant que cela n'endommage le meuble. It places the needed action before possible damage occurs. Use avant que before a clause describing a later event.
que Que introduces the clause cela n'endommage le meuble after avant. Here it connects “before” to the event that could damage the cabinet. Use que to introduce the content of a subordinate clause.
cela Cela means “that” or “it” in avant que cela n'endommage le meuble and Cela a des conséquences. It refers to the leak or the situation already being discussed. Use cela to point back to a previously mentioned situation.
n'endommage N'endommage means “damages” in avant que cela n'endommage le meuble. The n' is the form of ne before a vowel and appears in this clause after avant que; it does not give the sentence a negative meaning here. Use endommager with the thing that may suffer damage.
le Le means “the” before meuble in le meuble. It marks meuble as a specific masculine singular noun. Use le before a specific masculine singular noun.
meuble Meuble means “cabinet” or “piece of furniture” in le meuble. In this context it refers to the cabinet under or near the sink that could be damaged. Use meuble for a piece of furniture rather than a room or appliance.
J'y J'y means “I there” or “I to it” in J'y ai placé un récipient. Here y refers to the location under the sink. Use y before the auxiliary or verb to refer back to a previously mentioned place.
ai Ai means “have” as the auxiliary in J'y ai placé un récipient. It combines with placé to report the completed act of placing the container. Use ai with a past participle when the subject is je and the action is completed.
placé Placé means “placed” in J'y ai placé un récipient. It says that the speaker put the container in the location already mentioned. Use placer with the object that is put somewhere.
un Un means “a” or “one” before récipient in un récipient. It introduces one non-specific container. Use un before a masculine singular noun when introducing one item.
récipient Récipient means “container” in J'y ai placé un récipient. It identifies the object placed under the sink to catch the dripping water. Use récipient for an object intended to hold something.
mais Mais means “but” in mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement. It contrasts placing the container with the fact that the leak continues. Use mais to connect two contrasting facts or actions.
fuite Fuite means “leak” in la fuite continue de goutter lentement. It names the problem being reported under the sink. Use fuite when reporting escaping water or another unwanted flow.
continue Continue means “continues” in la fuite continue de goutter lentement. It shows that the dripping has not stopped. Use continuer de plus an infinitive to say that an action is still happening.
goutter Goutter means “to drip” in continue de goutter. It names the ongoing release of drops from the leak. Use goutter for liquid falling in drops.
lentement Lentement means “slowly” in goutter lentement. It describes the rate of the dripping. Use lentement to describe an action that happens at a slow pace.
Est-ce que Est-ce que is a question opener in Est-ce qu'il y a quelque chose de rangé là. It turns the following statement into a direct question without changing the main word order. Use Est-ce que at the beginning of a neutral spoken or written question.
il y a Il y a means “there is” or “there are” in Est-ce qu'il y a quelque chose de rangé là. It asks whether something is present in the area. Use il y a before the thing whose presence or absence is being discussed.
quelque Quelque contributes the meaning “some” or “any” in quelque chose. Together with chose, it forms the expression for “something” or “anything” in this question. Use quelque before chose when referring generally to an unspecified thing.
chose Chose means “thing” in quelque chose. In this expression, it refers to any unspecified object stored in the area. Use chose after quelque to speak about an unspecified thing.
rangé Rangé means “stored” or “put away” in quelque chose de rangé là. It describes an object that has been placed there. Use rangé to describe something kept or put in a particular place.
là Là means “there” in rangé là. It points to the area under or near the sink already mentioned. Use là to identify a specific nearby or previously indicated place.
qui Qui introduces the clause qui pourrait bloquer l'accès. Here it refers to quelque chose and links that thing to its possible effect. Use qui after a noun or pronoun when adding information about what it does.
pourrait Pourrait means “could” in qui pourrait bloquer l'accès. It expresses a possible risk rather than a confirmed obstruction. Use pourrait before an infinitive to describe a possible action or result.
bloquer Bloquer means “block” in pourrait bloquer l'accès. It describes preventing access to the area. Use bloquer with the person, route, opening, or access that cannot be reached.
l'accès L'accès means “access” in bloquer l'accès. It refers to the ability to reach the area for inspection or repair. Use accès with a place or area that someone needs to reach.
dégagé Dégagé means “cleared” in J'ai dégagé la zone. It says that the speaker removed obstacles from the area. Use dégager with a space when making it clear or accessible.
donc Donc means “so” or “therefore” in donc le technicien pourra l'inspecter facilement. It connects clearing the area with the practical result that inspection will be easier. Use donc to introduce a consequence or conclusion.
technicien Technicien means “technician” in le technicien pourra l'inspecter facilement. It identifies the person expected to inspect the leak or area. Use technicien when referring to a person who performs technical inspection or repair work.
pourra Pourra means “will be able to” in le technicien pourra l'inspecter facilement. It expresses the technician's expected ability to inspect the area because it has been cleared. Use pouvoir before an infinitive to describe someone’s ability or permission.
l'inspecter L'inspecter means “inspect it” in pourra l'inspecter facilement. The l' refers to the zone, and inspecter names the examination the technician will perform. Use l'inspecter when the object being inspected has already been identified.
facilement Facilement means “easily” in l'inspecter facilement. It describes the expected conditions for the technician's inspection. Use facilement to say that an action can be done without difficulty.
Je Je means “I” in Je peux la classer comme urgente. It identifies the speaker as the person who can mark the request. Use Je as the subject when stating your own action, ability, or decision.
peux Peux means “can” in Je peux la classer comme urgente. It expresses the speaker’s ability or authority to mark the request. Use pouvoir before an infinitive to say what someone can do.
classer Classer means “classify” or “mark” in classer comme urgente. It describes assigning the request an urgency category. Use classer quelque chose comme plus an adjective or category to assign it a status.
comme Comme means “as” in classer comme urgente. It introduces the status assigned to the request. Use comme after verbs such as classer when identifying how something is categorized.
urgente Urgente means “urgent” in la classer comme urgente. It describes the request as needing prompt attention, and its form matches the feminine object referred to by la. Use urgente to mark a feminine request or situation as requiring immediate attention.
même si Même si means “although” or “even if” in même si cela peut quand même prendre du temps à planifier. It introduces a qualification: the request can be marked urgent, but scheduling may still take time. Use même si to acknowledge a condition or fact that does not cancel the main statement.
peut Peut means “can” or “may” in cela peut quand même prendre du temps. It presents taking time as a possibility. Use peut before an infinitive to describe what may happen or be possible.
quand même Quand même means “still” or “nevertheless” in cela peut quand même prendre du temps. It emphasizes that scheduling may take time despite the request being marked urgent. Use quand même to maintain a statement in spite of a previous fact or expectation.
prendre Prendre means “take” in prendre du temps à planifier. It is part of the expression for an activity requiring a certain amount of time. Use prendre du temps à plus an infinitive to say that an activity takes time to complete.
du Du forms part of du temps in prendre du temps à planifier. Together with temps, it refers to an amount of time rather than a specific measured period. Use du before temps in the common expression prendre du temps.
temps Temps means “time” in prendre du temps à planifier. It describes the duration needed to arrange the scheduling. Use temps with prendre when saying that an action requires time.
à À links temps to the activity planifier in prendre du temps à planifier. It introduces the action that requires time. Use prendre du temps à plus an infinitive when identifying what takes time.
planifier Planifier means “schedule” or “plan” in prendre du temps à planifier. Here it refers to arranging the maintenance appointment. Use planifier with an appointment, task, or activity that needs to be arranged.
Veuillez Veuillez is a formal way to say “please” in Veuillez mentionner que le sol commence à se déformer. It introduces a polite instruction to include information. Use Veuillez before an infinitive in formal requests, reports, or messages.
mentionner Mentionner means “mention” in Veuillez mentionner que le sol commence à se déformer. It asks the recipient to include a specific fact in the request. Use mentionner que before the information that should be stated.
sol Sol means “floor” in le sol commence à se déformer. It identifies the surface affected by the leak. Use sol when describing the floor of a room or building.
commence Commence means “begins” in commence à se déformer. It marks the start of the floor’s warping. Use commencer à plus an infinitive to describe an action or change that is starting.
déformer Déformer means “warp” or “distort” in se déformer. It describes the floor changing shape because of the moisture. Use se déformer for a surface or object that becomes misshapen.
Ce Ce means “that” in Ce détail devrait figurer dans le rapport. It points to the specific information about the floor. Use ce before a masculine singular noun when referring to a particular thing.
détail Détail means “detail” in Ce détail devrait figurer dans le rapport. It refers to the concrete information that the floor is beginning to warp. Use détail when identifying one specific piece of information in a report or explanation.
devrait Devrait means “should” in Ce détail devrait figurer dans le rapport. It expresses what is recommended or expected concerning the report. Use devoir before an infinitive to state what should happen.
figurer Figurer means “appear” or “be included” in figurer dans le rapport. It says that the detail belongs in the report. Use figurer dans with a document, list, or record when something should be included there.
dans Dans means “in” in figurer dans le rapport. It places the detail inside the report as part of its contents. Use dans with a document or place that contains something.
rapport Rapport means “report” in dans le rapport. It identifies the document where the maintenance information should be recorded. Use rapport for a written account of facts, observations, or requested work.
a A means “has” in Cela a des conséquences sur la sécurité et le plan de réparation. It links the situation to its effects on safety and the repair plan. Use avoir with conséquences to say that something has consequences.
des Des introduces the plural noun conséquences in des conséquences. It refers to effects without specifying their number. Use des before plural nouns when referring to unspecified plural items.
conséquences Conséquences means “consequences” or “effects” in Cela a des conséquences sur la sécurité. It identifies the results the leak may have for safety and repair planning. Use conséquences when describing results that follow from a situation.
sur Sur means “on” in des conséquences sur la sécurité et le plan de réparation. It links the consequences to the areas affected by them. Use conséquences sur plus a noun to identify what is impacted.
sécurité Sécurité means “safety” in sur la sécurité. It identifies the protection of people and the surrounding area as an affected concern. Use sécurité when discussing whether a situation creates a risk.
et Et means “and” in la sécurité et le plan de réparation. It joins the two areas affected by the leak. Use et to connect related words, phrases, or consequences.
plan Plan means “plan” in le plan de réparation. It refers to the proposed organization of the repair work. Use plan with de plus a noun to identify what the plan concerns.
réparation Réparation means “repair” in le plan de réparation. It specifies that the plan concerns fixing the leak and its effects. Use réparation when referring to work intended to restore something that is damaged.

Grammar Points

s'occuper de quelque chose → s'en occuper

Il faut s'en occuper.

eel foh sahn oh-kew-PAY

We need to deal with it.

With s'occuper de, de + a thing becomes en: s'en occuper.

même si + indicatif

Même si la fuite continue, le technicien planifie la réparation.

mem see lah fweet kohn-tee-NEW, luh tek-nee-SYAN plah-nee-FEE lah ray-pah-rah-SYOHN

Even if the leak continues, the technician is planning the repair.

Même si is followed by the indicative and introduces a condition that does not change the main action.

French Vocabulary

continuer verb
kohn-tee-NEW to continue continue

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

endommager verb
ahn-doh-MAH-ZHAY to damage n'endommage

Il faut s'en occuper avant que cela n'endommage le meuble.

évier noun
ay-VYAY sink l'évier

J'ai remarqué qu'une zone humide se formait sous l'évier de la cuisine.

fuite noun
fweet leak la fuite

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

goutter verb
goo-TAY to drip

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

lentement adv
lahnt-MAHN slowly

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

meuble noun
MUHBL cabinet; piece of furniture le meuble

Il faut s'en occuper avant que cela n'endommage le meuble.

placer verb
plah-SAY to place placé

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

récipient noun
ray-see-PYAN container un récipient

J'y ai placé un récipient, mais la fuite continue de goutter lentement.

s'occuper de phrase
soh-kew-PAY duh to take care of; to deal with s'en occuper

Il faut s'en occuper avant que cela n'endommage le meuble.

se former verb
suh for-MAY to form se formait

J'ai remarqué qu'une zone humide se formait sous l'évier de la cuisine.

zone humide noun
zohn ew-MEED damp patch

J'ai remarqué qu'une zone humide se formait sous l'évier de la cuisine.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to place

Show Answerplacé

slowly

Show Answerlentement

to continue

Show Answercontinue

to drip

Show Answergoutter