Requesting privacy at a clinic reception | Learn French in English

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Use Requesting privacy at a clinic reception to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Je ne suis pas à l'aise pour parler de détails sensibles à l'accueil.

zhuh nuh swee pah ah LEHZ poor pahr-LAY duh day-TY sah(n)-SEEBL ah lah-KUR-Y I am not comfortable discussing sensitive details at the reception desk.

Nous pouvons aller dans un espace privé pour tout ce qui est personnel.

noo poo-VON ah-LAY dah(n)-ZUN eh-SPAHS pree-VAY poor too suh kee eh pair-soh-NEL We can move to a private area for anything personal.

Cela m'aiderait, parce que la salle d'attente est tout près.

suh-LAH meh-duh-RAY, PARS-kuh lah sahl dah-TAHNT eh too PREH That would help, because the waiting room is very close.

Votre vie privée est importante, et ces détails ne devraient pas être abordés en public.

VOH-truh vee pree-VAY eh an-por-TAH(n), ay say day-TY nuh duh-VRAY pah EH-truh ah-bor-DAY ah(n) poo-BLEEK Your privacy matters, and those details should not be discussed in public.

Pourrais-je inscrire la plupart des informations générales sur les formulaires papier à la place ?

poor-REH zhuh an-SKREER lah ploo-PAHR day-zan-for-ma-SYON zhay-nay-RAHL syr lay for-myoo-LAIR pah-PYAY ah lah PLASS Could I put most of the background on the written forms instead?

Vous pouvez le faire, même si le professionnel de santé pourra encore vous poser des questions en privé.

voo poo-VAY luh fair, mem SEE luh pro-fay-syoh-NEL duh sahn-TAY poo-RAH ahn-KOR voo poh-ZAY day kes-TYON ah(n) pree-VAY You can, although the clinician may still ask questions in private.

Cela rendrait la conversation beaucoup plus facile pour moi.

suh-LAH rahn-DRAY lah kon-vair-sa-SYON boh-KOO ploo fah-SEEL poor MWAH That would make the conversation much easier for me.

Je noterai votre préférence avant que l'on vous appelle.

zhuh noht-RAY VOH-truh pray-fay-RAHNS ah-VAHN kuh lohn voo zah-PELL I will note your preference before you are called.

Word by Word

Je “Je” means “I” here: it identifies the person speaking. It commonly comes before a verb, as in “Je suis” in this dialogue.

ne “ne” is the first part of the negation in “Je ne suis pas à l'aise”; here it helps express that the speaker is not comfortable. In this pattern, it appears around the verb together with “pas”.

suis “Suis” means “am” here, in the expression “Je suis”. It is a form of “être” used to describe the speaker’s state or situation.

pas “Pas” completes the negation in “ne suis pas”, giving the meaning “am not”. A common reuse pattern is “ne + verb + pas” for a negative statement.

à l'aise “À l'aise” means comfortable or at ease in “Je ne suis pas à l'aise”. The whole expression describes how someone feels; “à” and “l'aise” work together here, so it is useful to reuse “être à l'aise” with a person as the subject.

pour “Pour” introduces the activity that the speaker is not comfortable doing: “pour parler de détails sensibles”. With an infinitive such as “parler”, it can indicate what someone is comfortable or uncomfortable doing.

parler “Parler” means to speak or discuss here, specifically in “parler de détails sensibles”. A useful pattern is “parler de” followed by the topic being discussed.

de “De” introduces the topic after “parler”: “parler de détails sensibles” means discussing sensitive details. Reuse it in the pattern “parler de + topic”.

détails “Détails” means details here, referring to sensitive information the speaker does not want to discuss at the reception desk. It can be used after “de”, as in “parler de détails”.

sensibles “Sensibles” describes the “détails” as sensitive or delicate in this context. It follows the noun in “détails sensibles”, and the same pattern can describe other details that require care.

à “À” means “at” in “à l'accueil”, locating the discussion at the reception desk. It commonly introduces a place in expressions such as “être à” followed by a location.

l'accueil “L'accueil” means the reception desk or reception area in this clinic context. It is the place where the speaker is standing, as shown by “à l'accueil”.

Nous “Nous” means “we” here and identifies the clinic staff member together with others or the institution. It normally appears before the verb, as in “Nous pouvons”.

pouvons “Pouvons” means “can” in “Nous pouvons aller”, expressing that the speakers have the possibility of moving. It is a form of “pouvoir” used with “nous”; a common pattern is “pouvoir + infinitive”.

aller “Aller” means “to go” here, in “pouvons aller dans un espace privé”. It follows “pouvons” as the action that is possible and can be followed by a destination introduced by “dans”.

dans “Dans” means “into” or “in” here and introduces the destination “un espace privé”. It commonly appears before a place when describing movement to or location inside that place.

un “Un” means “a” here and introduces one private area: “un espace privé”. It is placed before the noun it introduces.

espace “Espace” means space or area here, specifically a place where a private conversation can take place. It follows “un” and is described by “privé” in “un espace privé”.

privé “Privé” means private here and describes the area offered for personal matters. It follows “espace” in the phrase “un espace privé”.

tout “Tout” means everything or all in “tout ce qui est personnel”, referring to all personal matters. It is part of the reusable pattern “tout ce qui...” for everything that meets a stated description.

ce “Ce” means “that” in the construction “ce qui est personnel”, referring generally to what is personal. Together with “qui”, it introduces the thing being described by “est personnel”.

qui “Qui” means “that which” in “ce qui est personnel”; it links the general reference “ce” to the description that follows. The pattern “ce qui + verb” can refer to what does or is something.

est “Est” means “is” in “ce qui est personnel”, describing what counts as personal. It is a form of “être” used before the description “personnel”.

personnel “Personnel” means personal here and describes the matters that may be discussed in the private area. It appears after “est” in “ce qui est personnel”.

Cela “Cela” means “that” or “it” here and refers to the proposed move to a private area. It is the subject of “Cela m'aiderait”, a useful way to react to a suggestion.

m'aiderait “M'aiderait” means “would help me” in response to the proposed private area. The form contains “me” before “aiderait”, and the pattern “cela m'aiderait” can express that a proposed action would be helpful.

parce que “Parce que” means “because” and introduces the reason for the speaker’s reaction: “parce que la salle d'attente est tout près”. The two components work together as a conjunction before a full clause.

la “La” means “the” here and introduces “salle”, the waiting room. It is placed before the singular noun it determines.

salle “Salle” means room here, in the expression “la salle d'attente” for the waiting room. It is followed by “d'attente”, which specifies what kind of room it is.

d'attente “D'attente” means “of waiting” in “la salle d'attente”, giving the established meaning “waiting room”. It follows “salle” to form the name of the room where people wait.

près “Près” means near or close in “est tout près”, describing the waiting room as very close. A common reuse pattern is “être près” or “être tout près” when talking about location.

Votre “Votre” means “your” here and refers respectfully to the listener’s privacy. It appears before “vie privée” in “Votre vie privée est importante”.

vie “Vie” means life here, as part of the expression “vie privée”, meaning privacy or private life. It is followed by “privée”, which describes the kind of life being discussed.

privée “Privée” means private here and describes “vie” in “Votre vie privée”. The full expression refers to the listener’s privacy.

importante “Importante” means important here and describes the listener’s privacy in “Votre vie privée est importante”. It follows “est” as the description of “vie privée”.

et “Et” means “and” and joins the statement about privacy to the statement about discussing details in public. It connects two related parts of the same response.

ces “Ces” means “these” or “those” here and points back to the details being discussed. It appears before the plural noun “détails” in “ces détails”.

devraient “Devraient” means “should” in “ces détails ne devraient pas être abordés en public”, expressing what is considered appropriate. It is used with an infinitive phrase here, “être abordés”.

être “Être” means “to be” here as part of “être abordés”, which expresses that the details should be discussed or addressed. It follows “devraient” in the pattern “devoir + infinitive”.

abordés “Abordés” means discussed or addressed here, referring to “ces détails”. In “ne devraient pas être abordés”, it describes the action that should not take place in public.

en “En” means “in” here and introduces the setting “en public”. It is used with “public” to describe discussion taking place in a public setting.

public “Public” means public here, in the expression “en public”. This expression describes something done where other people may hear or observe it.

Pourrais “Pourrais” means “could” in the polite question “Pourrais-je inscrire...?”, asking whether the speaker is permitted or able to do something. It is a form of “pouvoir” followed by the subject “je” after the verb in this question.

inscrire “Inscrire” means to write down or enter information here, specifically on the paper forms. A useful pattern is “inscrire une information sur un formulaire”.

plupart “Plupart” means most or the majority in “la plupart des informations générales”. It is commonly used with “la” and followed by “de” plus the thing that makes up most of a group.

des “Des” means “of the” in “la plupart des informations”, identifying the information that makes up most of the whole. In this expression, it follows “la plupart” before the noun phrase.

informations “Informations” means information here, referring to the background details the speaker wants to put on the forms. It is the object of “inscrire” in “inscrire la plupart des informations générales”.

générales “Générales” means general here and describes the background information in “informations générales”. It distinguishes the broad background information from the more sensitive details mentioned earlier.

sur “Sur” means “on” here and introduces the forms where the information would be written: “sur les formulaires papier”. It commonly indicates the surface or document receiving written information.

les “Les” means “the” here and introduces the plural noun “formulaires”. It identifies the specific forms being discussed.

formulaires “Formulaires” means forms here, specifically the documents on which the speaker could write the background information. It appears in “sur les formulaires papier”.

papier “Papier” means paper here and specifies the type of forms: “formulaires papier”. This expression refers to forms completed in written paper format.

à la place “À la place” means “instead” here, showing that writing on the forms is proposed as an alternative to discussing the information at the reception desk. The full expression is used after the alternative action, as in “inscrire ... à la place”.

Vous “Vous” means “you” here and addresses the patient respectfully. It is the subject of “Vous pouvez le faire” and can also refer to more than one person.

pouvez “Pouvez” means “can” or “may” here, giving permission to complete the proposed action. It is a form of “pouvoir” used with “vous”, followed here by “le faire”.

le “Le” means “it” here and refers to the action of putting the information on the forms. In “pouvez le faire”, it comes before “faire” to avoid repeating that action.

faire “Faire” means “to do” here, with “le” referring to the action already proposed. The reusable pattern “pouvoir le faire” means being able or permitted to do it.

même si “Même si” means “although” here and introduces a qualification: the forms can be used, although the clinician may still ask questions privately. The two components work together before the qualifying clause.

professionnel “Professionnel” means professional here, referring to the healthcare professional who may ask further questions. It is part of the expression “professionnel de santé”.

santé “Santé” means health here, completing “professionnel de santé”, meaning healthcare professional. It follows “de” in this established professional description.

pourra “Pourra” means “will be able to” or “may” here, indicating that the healthcare professional may still ask questions privately. It is a form of “pouvoir” followed by the infinitive “poser”.

encore “Encore” means “still” here, showing that the clinician may ask questions even after most information has been written on the forms. It is placed before the action “poser des questions”.

poser “Poser” means “to ask” in the expression “poser des questions”. A common reuse pattern is “poser une question” or “poser des questions” to ask someone for information.

questions “Questions” means questions here, referring to what the healthcare professional may still ask in private. It follows “poser” in the common expression “poser des questions”.

rendrait “Rendrait” means “would make” here in “Cela rendrait la conversation beaucoup plus facile”, describing the expected effect of the proposed arrangement. It is a form of “rendre” followed by what is affected and the resulting description.

conversation “Conversation” means conversation here, referring to the discussion with the clinic staff or clinician. It is the thing that would become easier in “rendrait la conversation ... facile”.

beaucoup “Beaucoup” means “much” here and strengthens the comparison “beaucoup plus facile”, meaning much easier. It commonly appears before “plus” to intensify a comparative.

plus “Plus” means “more” here and forms the comparison “plus facile”, meaning easier. The pattern “plus + adjective” compares the degree of a quality.

facile “Facile” means easy here, with “plus facile” meaning easier. It describes the conversation after the proposed privacy arrangement.

moi “Moi” means “me” here and emphasizes who would find the conversation easier: the speaker. It follows “pour” in the expression “pour moi”.

noterai “Noterai” means “will note” here, referring to recording the patient’s preference before the call. It is a form of “noter” used for a future action by the speaker.

préférence “Préférence” means preference here, referring to the patient’s wish to handle most background information on written forms and discuss sensitive details privately. It is the object of “noterai” in “noterai votre préférence”.

avant que “Avant que” means “before” here and introduces the event that must happen after the preference is noted: “l'on vous appelle”. The two components work together to connect the two events in time.

l'on “L'on” is the impersonal subject in “avant que l'on vous appelle”, meaning that someone or the staff will call you. It appears before the verb “appelle” in this clause.

appelle “Appelle” means “calls” here, with “l'on” as the caller and “vous” as the person called. In the dialogue, this call is the event that happens after the preference is noted.

Grammar Points

même si + indicatif

Même si votre vie privée est importante, vous pouvez poser une question en privé.

mem SEE VOH-truh vee pree-VAY eh an-por-TAH(n), voo poo-VAY poh-ZAY oon kes-TYON ah(n) pree-VAY

Even if your privacy is important, you can ask a question in private.

Après « même si », on utilise généralement l’indicatif pour présenter une condition réelle ou possible.

conditionnel présent : rendrait

Un espace privé rendrait l’accueil plus personnel.

uhn eh-SPAHS pree-VAY rahn-DRAY lah-KUR-Y ploo pair-soh-NEL

A private area would make the reception desk more personal.

« Rendrait » est le conditionnel présent de « rendre » ; il exprime une conséquence hypothétique ou une suggestion.

French Vocabulary

à l'aise adj

ah LEHZ comfortable

accueil noun

ah-KUR-Y reception desk l'accueil

détail noun

day-TY detail détails

en public phrase

ah(n) poo-BLEEK in public

espace privé phrase

eh-SPAHS pree-VAY private area un espace privé

important adj

an-por-TAH(n) important importante

parler de verb

pahr-LAY duh to talk about

personnel adj

pair-soh-NEL personal

salle d'attente phrase

sahl dah-TAHNT waiting room la salle d'attente

sensible adj

sah(n)-SEEBL sensitive sensibles

tout près adv

too PREH very close

vie privée phrase

vee pree-VAY privacy Votre vie privée

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

personal

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personnel

detail

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détails

sensitive

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sensibles

important

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importante