About This Lesson
Use Checking an unfamiliar bank charge to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
J’ai remarqué une opération sur mon relevé que je ne reconnais pas.
zhay ruh-mahr-KAY oon oh-pay-rah-SYON syur mohn ruhl-VAY kuh zhuh nuh ruh-kuh-NAY pah. I noticed a charge on my statement that I don't recognize.
B
Nous pouvons ouvrir un litige après avoir vérifié la description du commerçant.
noo poo-VON oo-VREER uhn lee-TEEZH ah-PRAY ah-VWAR vay-ree-FYAY lah day-skreep-SYON doo kuh-mair-SAHN. We can open a dispute after we check the merchant description.
A
La description est vague, donc je ne peux pas savoir d’où vient cette opération.
lah day-skreep-SYON ay VAG, donk zhuh nuh puh pah sah-VWAR doo VYEN set oh-pay-rah-SYON. The description is vague, so I can't tell where it came from.
B
Certains prestataires de paiement utilisent un nom différent de celui que les clients voient dans le magasin.
sair-TAHN pray-stah-TAIR duh pay-MAHN oo-tee-lee-Z uh n NOHN dee-fay-RAHN duh suh-LWEE kuh lay klee-AHN VWAH dahn luh mah-gah-ZAN. Some processors use a name that looks different from the shop customers see.
A
Je vérifierai mes reçus récents avant de déposer un litige officiel.
zhuh vay-ree-fyay-RAY may ruh-SOO ray-SAHN ah-VAHN duh day-poh-ZAY uhn lee-TEEZH oh-fee-SYEL. I'll check my recent receipts before filing a formal dispute.
B
Cela peut éviter des retards si vous reconnaissez l’opération.
suh-LAH puh ay-vee-TAY day ruh-TAR see voo ruh-kuh-NAY-SAY loh-pay-rah-SYON. That can prevent delays if you recognize the charge.
A
Si ce n’est toujours pas clair, je veux qu’on enquête sur l’opération.
see suh nay too-ZHOOR pah KLAIR, zhuh vuh kon ahn-KET syur loh-pay-rah-SYON. If it still isn't clear, I want the transaction investigated.
B
Nous consignerons votre demande et commencerons l’examen.
noo kon-see-nyuh-RON voh-truh duh-MAHND ay koh-mahn-suh-RON layg-zah-MAHN. We'll document your concern and start the review.Word by Word
J’ai
In “J’ai remarqué”, “J’ai” means “I have” and works with “remarqué” to express that I noticed something. Use “J’ai” with a past participle to report something already done. Here, the speaker uses it to report noticing an unfamiliar transaction.
remarqué
In “J’ai remarqué”, “remarqué” means “noticed”; it is the form of remarquer used with “J’ai”. The reusable pattern is remarquer something, as in noticing an item on a statement. This is useful when reporting something you have just observed.
une
“Une” means “a” or “one” before the feminine noun “opération” in “une opération”. It introduces one unspecified transaction. Use “une” before a feminine singular noun when referring to one such item.
opération
In this banking context, “opération” means “transaction”, specifically the charge appearing on the statement. The phrase “une opération sur mon relevé” identifies where the transaction appears. Use it when discussing a banking operation or account entry.
sur
In “sur mon relevé”, “sur” means “on” and shows that the transaction appears on the statement. The reusable pattern is “sur” followed by a document or surface. This is useful when locating information on a statement.
mon
“Mon” means “my” before the masculine singular noun “relevé” in “mon relevé”. It marks the statement as belonging to the speaker. Use “mon” before a masculine singular noun when referring to something that belongs to you.
relevé
In “mon relevé”, “relevé” means “statement”, here a bank statement. The phrase “sur mon relevé” refers to information recorded in that statement. Use it when checking account activity or other statement entries.
que
In “que je ne reconnais pas”, “que” links “opération” to the clause describing it: the transaction is one the speaker does not recognize. It introduces information that identifies or describes a noun. A common reusable pattern is a noun followed by “que” and a clause.
je
“Je” means “I” and is the subject of “ne reconnais pas” in “je ne reconnais pas”. It identifies the speaker as the person who does not recognize the transaction. Use “je” before a verb when speaking about your own action or state.
ne
In “je ne reconnais pas”, “ne” is the first part of the French negation surrounding “reconnais”. It works together with “pas” to say that the speaker does not recognize the transaction. Use the paired pattern “ne” + verb + “pas” for a basic negative statement.
reconnais
In “je ne reconnais pas”, “reconnais” means “recognize” and describes the speaker’s failure to identify the transaction. It is the form of reconnaître used with “je”. Use reconnaître with the thing or person being identified, especially when checking an unfamiliar charge.
pas
In “je ne reconnais pas”, “pas” completes the negation and makes the meaning “do not recognize”. Its meaning here depends on the paired “ne”, not on “pas” alone. Use “ne” and “pas” together around the verb for this negative pattern.
Nous
“Nous” means “we” and is the subject of “pouvons ouvrir” in “Nous pouvons ouvrir un litige”. It refers to the support side speaking collectively. Use “nous” before a verb when the speaker includes themselves with other people.
pouvons
In “Nous pouvons ouvrir”, “pouvons” means “can” or “are able to”; it is the form of pouvoir used with “nous”. It is followed here by the infinitive “ouvrir”. Use “pouvoir” + an infinitive to express ability or a possible action.
ouvrir
In “ouvrir un litige”, “ouvrir” means “open”, in the sense of initiating a dispute case. It is an infinitive after “pouvons”. Use “ouvrir” with a case or file when starting a formal process.
un
“Un” means “a” or “one” before the masculine noun “litige” in “un litige”. It introduces one dispute that could be opened. Use “un” before a masculine singular noun when referring to one unspecified item.
litige
In “ouvrir un litige”, “litige” means “dispute”, here a formal dispute about a bank charge. The phrase describes starting a process to challenge the transaction. Use it when discussing a disagreement that may require formal review.
après
In “après avoir vérifié”, “après” means “after” and places the checking before the possible opening of the dispute. It introduces a completed action in relation to another action. A reusable pattern is “après avoir” followed by a past participle.
avoir
In “après avoir vérifié”, “avoir” means “to have” and helps express “after having checked”. It is an infinitive followed by “vérifié”. Use “après avoir” + a past participle to indicate that one action happens after another.
vérifié
In “après avoir vérifié”, “vérifié” means “checked” or “verified”. Together with “avoir”, it describes checking the merchant description before opening a dispute. Use “avoir vérifié” with the object that was checked.
la
“La” means “the” before the feminine noun “description” in “la description”. It refers to a specific description, namely the one shown for the transaction. Use “la” before a known feminine singular noun.
description
In “la description du commerçant”, “description” means the merchant description attached to the transaction. It is the information the support agent wants to check. Use it when referring to wording or details that identify a charge.
du
In “du commerçant”, “du” means “of the” and introduces the merchant connected with the description. It is the combined form used in this exact phrase. Use “du” before a masculine singular noun when expressing this “of the” relationship.
commerçant
In “la description du commerçant”, “commerçant” means “merchant”. It identifies the business or seller associated with the description. Use it when discussing the merchant connected with a payment or transaction.
est
In “La description est vague”, “est” means “is” and links the description to the quality “vague”. It is the form of être used with the singular subject “la description”. Use a noun + “est” + an adjective to describe a state or quality.
vague
In “La description est vague”, “vague” means “vague” or insufficiently specific. It explains why the speaker cannot determine where the transaction came from. Use it to describe information that does not identify something clearly.
donc
In “donc je ne peux pas savoir”, “donc” means “so” or “therefore”. It connects the vague description with the resulting inability to identify the source. Use it to introduce a conclusion or consequence.
peux
In “je ne peux pas savoir”, “peux” means “can” or “am able to”; it is the form of pouvoir used with “je”. It is followed by the infinitive “savoir”. Use “je peux” or “je ne peux pas” + an infinitive to describe your ability or inability to do something.
savoir
In “je ne peux pas savoir d’où vient cette opération”, “savoir” means “know” or “determine”. It introduces the information the speaker cannot establish: where the transaction comes from. Use “savoir” with a question clause such as “d’où vient...” when determining a source.
d’où
In “d’où vient cette opération”, “d’où” means “from where” and asks about the source of the transaction. It introduces the source question after “savoir”. Use “d’où” with a verb when asking or explaining where something comes from.
vient
In “d’où vient cette opération”, “vient” means “comes” and describes the source of the transaction. It is the form of venir used with “cette opération”. Use “d’où vient” to ask where something originates.
cette
“Cette” means “this” before the feminine noun “opération” in “cette opération”. It points to the particular transaction under discussion. Use “cette” before a feminine singular noun when identifying a specific item.
Certains
In “Certains prestataires”, “Certains” means “some” and introduces a subset of payment providers. It does not refer to all providers. Use “certains” before a plural masculine noun when identifying some members of a group.
prestataires
In “prestataires de paiement”, “prestataires” means “service providers”; in this context, they are payment processors. The phrase identifies the companies that may use a different name. Use it when discussing providers responsible for a service.
de
In “prestataires de paiement”, “de” links the providers with the service they provide and means “of” or “for” in this compound. It connects two nouns. A reusable pattern is a provider or service followed by “de” and the relevant field.
paiement
In “prestataires de paiement”, “paiement” means “payment”. It specifies the area of service provided. Use it in expressions describing payment-related services or processes.
utilisent
In “utilisent un nom”, “utilisent” means “use”; it is the form of utiliser used with “Certains prestataires”. It describes what the providers do with a name. Use “utiliser” + an object to describe using a tool, label, or resource.
nom
In “utilisent un nom différent”, “nom” means “name”, specifically the name shown for the processor or payment. The sentence explains why a statement entry may look unfamiliar. Use “un nom” when referring to a name or label used to identify something.
différent
In “un nom différent de celui que les clients voient”, “différent” means “different” and compares the processor’s name with the name customers see in the shop. The reusable pattern is “différent de” + a reference point. Use it when two names, descriptions, or items do not match.
celui
In “celui que les clients voient”, “celui” means “the one” and stands for the previously mentioned masculine noun “nom”, avoiding its repetition. The clause after it specifies which name is meant. Use “celui que” when referring back to one masculine item identified by a clause.
les
“Les” means “the” before the plural noun “clients” in “les clients”. It refers to the customers as a group. Use “les” before a known plural noun.
clients
In “les clients voient”, “clients” means “customers” or “clients”, here the people who see the shop’s name. They are contrasted with the payment processors. Use it when referring to people receiving or making use of a service.
voient
In “que les clients voient”, “voient” means “see”; it is the form of voir used with “les clients”. It describes the name visible to customers in the shop. Use “voir” with the thing that is visible or observed.
dans
In “dans le magasin”, “dans” means “in” and locates the customers’ view inside the shop. It is followed by the place “le magasin”. Use “dans” + a place to indicate where something happens or is seen.
le
“Le” means “the” before the masculine noun “magasin” in “le magasin”. It refers to a specific shop in the explanation. Use “le” before a known masculine singular noun.
magasin
In “dans le magasin”, “magasin” means “shop” or “store”. It identifies the physical place where customers see the merchant’s name. Use it when referring to a retail location.
vérifierai
In “Je vérifierai mes reçus récents”, “vérifierai” means “will check”; it is the future form of vérifier with the subject “je”. It expresses the speaker’s planned action before filing a dispute. Use “Je vérifierai” + an object when promising or stating a future check.
mes
“Mes” means “my” before the plural noun “reçus” in “mes reçus”. It marks the receipts as belonging to the speaker. Use “mes” before a plural noun for things that belong to you.
reçus
In “mes reçus récents”, “reçus” means “receipts”, the records the speaker will check. They may help identify the unfamiliar transaction. Use it when referring to payment receipts or proof of purchase.
récents
In “mes reçus récents”, “récents” means “recent” and describes the receipts from the latest period. It narrows the search to newer records. Use it after a plural noun when describing records or events from a recent time.
avant
In “avant de déposer”, “avant” means “before” and places the receipt check before filing the dispute. It introduces the timing relationship. A reusable pattern is “avant de” followed by an infinitive.
déposer
In “déposer un litige officiel”, “déposer” means “file” or “submit”, referring to formally starting the dispute. It is an infinitive after “avant de”. Use “déposer” with a formal request, complaint, or dispute when submitting it.
officiel
In “un litige officiel”, “officiel” means “official” or “formal” and describes the type of dispute being filed. It distinguishes the formal process from preliminary checking. Use it before a noun when describing something recognized as formal or official.
Cela
In “Cela peut éviter des retards”, “Cela” means “that” and refers to checking the receipts mentioned in the previous line. It makes that earlier action the subject of the next statement. Use “Cela peut” to describe a possible effect of something already discussed.
peut
In “Cela peut éviter”, “peut” means “can” or “may”; it is the form of pouvoir used with “Cela”. It is followed by the infinitive “éviter”. Use “Cela peut” + an infinitive to describe a possible result.
éviter
In “éviter des retards”, “éviter” means “prevent” or “avoid”. It describes the benefit of recognizing the charge before a formal dispute is opened. Use “éviter” with an unwanted result such as delays.
des
“Des” means “some” before the plural noun “retards” in “des retards”. It refers to possible delays without specifying particular ones. Use “des” before a plural noun when referring to unspecified items.
retards
In “éviter des retards”, “retards” means “delays”. These are delays that may be avoided if the charge is recognized. Use it when discussing a process that takes longer than expected.
si
In “si vous reconnaissez l’opération”, “si” means “if” and introduces the condition for avoiding delays. It connects a possible condition with its result. Use “si” before a clause that states a condition.
vous
In “si vous reconnaissez l’opération”, “vous” means “you”. It addresses the customer formally or addresses more than one person. Use “vous” with the appropriate verb form in formal or plural address.
reconnaissez
In “vous reconnaissez l’opération”, “reconnaissez” means “recognize”; it is the form of reconnaître used with “vous”. It describes whether the customer can identify the transaction. Use “vous reconnaissez” + an object when asking whether someone identifies something.
l’opération
In “reconnaissez l’opération”, “l’opération” means “the transaction”. The initial “l’” is used before the vowel sound of “opération”. Use it when referring back to the specific banking transaction already under discussion.
ce
In “ce n’est toujours pas clair”, “ce” means “it” or “this” and refers to the matter being discussed. It serves as the subject of the statement about clarity. Use “ce” in the pattern “ce n’est pas” + an adjective to describe a situation.
n’est
In “ce n’est toujours pas clair”, “n’est” means “is not” as part of the negation around “clair”. It combines the negative marker with the form “est”. Use “n’est pas” before an adjective to say that something is not a certain way.
toujours
In “n’est toujours pas clair”, “toujours” means “still”. It shows that the situation remains unclear after the receipts have been checked. Use it in a negative statement to emphasize that a condition continues.
clair
In “ce n’est toujours pas clair”, “clair” means “clear” or understandable. It describes whether the source of the transaction has become understandable. Use it with être when assessing whether information or a situation is clear.
veux
In “je veux qu’on enquête”, “veux” means “want”; it is the form of vouloir used with “je”. It introduces the speaker’s request for an investigation. Use “je veux que” before a clause expressing the action you want someone to take.
qu’on
In “je veux qu’on enquête”, “qu’on” means “that someone” or “that we” and introduces the requested action. Here, “on” can refer to the support team or another responsible person. Use “je veux que” + “on” + a verb to request action by people understood from the context.
enquête
In “qu’on enquête sur l’opération”, “enquête” means “investigate” and expresses the requested examination of the transaction. The phrase keeps the preposition “sur” before the matter being investigated. Use “enquêter sur” + an issue or transaction when asking for an investigation.
consignerons
In “Nous consignerons votre demande”, “consignerons” means “will document” or “will record”; it is the future form of consigner with “nous”. It states what the support team will do with the customer’s request. Use “Nous consignerons” + an object when promising to record information.
votre
“Votre” means “your” before the singular noun “demande” in “votre demande”. It addresses one customer formally or more than one customer. Use “votre” before a singular noun for something belonging to or submitted by the person addressed.
demande
In “votre demande”, “demande” means the customer’s request or concern brought to the support desk. It is what the support team will record. Use it when referring to a request or matter submitted for attention.
et
In “et commencerons l’examen”, “et” means “and” and joins the two actions the support team will take. It connects documenting the request with starting the review. Use “et” to link related words, phrases, or actions.
commencerons
In “Nous commencerons l’examen”, “commencerons” means “will start” or “will begin”; it is the future form of commencer with “nous”. It states the next action of the support team. Use “commencer” + a noun for an activity, process, or review that is about to begin.
l’examen
In “commencerons l’examen”, “l’examen” means “the review”. The initial “l’” is used before the vowel sound of “examen”. Use it when referring to the specific review of the transaction or the customer’s concern.
Grammar Points
Le futur simple : infinitif + -ai / -ons
Je vérifierai les reçus récents. Nous consignerons la demande.
zhuh vay-ree-fyay-RAY lay ruh-SOO ray-SAHN. noo kon-see-nyuh-RON lah duh-MAHND.I will check the recent receipts. We will record the request.
Le futur simple exprime une action à venir. Les terminaisons varient selon le sujet : je -ai, nous -ons.
French Vocabulary
commerçant
noun
kuh-mair-SAHN
merchant
du commerçant
description
noun
day-skreep-SYON
description
la description du commerçant
litige
noun
lee-TEEZH
dispute
un litige
opération
noun
oh-pay-rah-SYON
transaction
une opération sur mon relevé
ouvrir
verb
oo-VREER
to open
ouvrir un litige
prestataire
noun
pray-stah-TAIR
service provider
prestataires
Certains prestataires de paiement
reconnaître
verb
ruh-kuh-NETR
to recognize
reconnais
je ne reconnais pas
relevé
noun
ruhl-VAY
statement
mon relevé
remarquer
verb
ruh-mahr-KAY
to notice
remarqué
J’ai remarqué
savoir
verb
sah-VWAR
to know; to be able to tell
je ne peux pas savoir
vague
adj
VAG
vague; unclear
La description est vague
vérifier
verb
vay-ree-FYAY
to check; to verify
vérifié
après avoir vérifié
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to recognize
Show Answer
reconnaisto notice
Show Answer
remarquéto open
Show Answer
ouvrirmerchant