Explaining a device defect and requesting a replacement | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At a shop service counter, a customer explains an intermittent screen fault and asks for a replacement rather than a repair..

EN → FR / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Explaining a device defect and requesting a replacement to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

J’ai acheté cet appareil récemment, mais l’écran clignote parfois.

zhay ah-shuh-TAY set ah-pah-RAY ray-sah-MAHN, meh lay-KRAHN klee-NYOHt par-FWAH. I bought this device recently, but the screen flickers sometimes.
B

Les pannes intermittentes peuvent être difficiles à reproduire, alors nous allons le tester ici.

lay PAHN an-tair-mee-TAHNT puhv EH-truh dee-fee-SEEL ah ruh-proh-DWEER, ah-LOHR noo zah-LOHN luh TEHST-TAY ee-SEE. Intermittent faults can be hard to reproduce, so we will test it here.
A

J’ai enregistré une courte vidéo où l’on voit le problème pendant une utilisation normale.

zhay ahn-ruh-zhee-STRAY ewn KOORT vee-day-OH oo lohn vwah luh proh-BLEHM pahn-DAHN ewn ewn-tee-lee-zah-SYOHN nor-MAHL. I recorded a short video of it happening during normal use.
B

La vidéo sera utile si le problème ne se manifeste pas pendant le test.

lah vee-day-OH suh-RAH ewn-TEEL see luh proh-BLEHM nuh suh mah-nee-FEHST pah pahn-DAHN luh TEHST. The video will help if the fault does not show up during the test.
A

Je préférerais un remplacement plutôt qu’une réparation.

zhuh pray-fay-ruh-RAY uhn rahm-plahs-MAHN plew-TOH KEWN ray-pah-rah-SYOHN. I would prefer a replacement instead of a repair.
B

Nous pouvons noter cette préférence, mais c’est l’inspection qui déterminera la prochaine étape.

noo poo-VOHN noh-TAY set pray-fay-RAHNS, meh say lan-spehk-SYOHN kee day-tair-mee-nuh-RAH lah proh-SHEN ay-TAHP. We can record that preference, but the inspection decides the next step.
A

Veuillez noter que le problème a commencé juste après l’installation.

vuh-YAY noh-TAY kuh luh proh-BLEHM ah koh-mahn-SAY zhewst ah-PRAY lan-stah-lah-SYOHN. Please note that the problem started right after setup.
B

Je vais ajouter cela au dossier du service après-vente.

zhuh vay ah-zhoo-TAY suh-LAH oh doh-SYAY dew sair-VEES ah-PRAY-VAHNT. I will add that to the service record.

Word by Word

J’ai In “J’ai acheté” and “J’ai enregistré”, “J’ai” means “I have” and helps express what I bought or recorded. It is used before a past participle in these dialogue forms. New example: “J’ai envoyé le formulaire” means “I sent the form”.
acheté “Acheté” means “bought” in “J’ai acheté cet appareil”. With “J’ai”, it describes the completed purchase. New example: “J’ai acheté une nouvelle batterie” means “I bought a new battery”.
cet “Cet” means “this” before “appareil” in “cet appareil”. It is the form used before this masculine singular noun. New example: “cet écran” means “this screen”.
appareil “Appareil” means “device” in “cet appareil”. It is a common word for an electronic or other device. New example: “un appareil photo” means “a camera”.
récemment “Récemment” means “recently” in “J’ai acheté cet appareil récemment”. It places the purchase in the near past. New example: “Je l’ai vu récemment” means “I saw it recently”.
mais “Mais” means “but” and contrasts the recent purchase with the screen problem: “J’ai acheté cet appareil récemment, mais l’écran clignote parfois”. It commonly links two contrasting statements. New example: “Je veux venir, mais je travaille” means “I want to come, but I am working”.
l’écran “L’écran” means “the screen” in “l’écran clignote parfois”. The initial l’ is the article before the vowel sound at the start of “écran”. New example: “Je regarde l’écran” means “I look at the screen”.
clignote “Clignote” means “flickers” in “l’écran clignote parfois”. It describes the screen repeatedly flashing or blinking. New example: “Le voyant clignote” means “The indicator light is flashing”.
parfois “Parfois” means “sometimes” in “l’écran clignote parfois”. It shows that the flickering happens occasionally rather than continuously. New example: “Le problème revient parfois” means “The problem comes back sometimes”.
Les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “pannes” in “Les pannes intermittentes”. It introduces the faults being discussed. New example: “Les problèmes sont connus” means “The problems are known”.
pannes “Pannes” means “faults” or “malfunctions” in “Les pannes intermittentes”. It refers here to problems with a device. New example: “Nous avons signalé deux pannes” means “We reported two faults”.
intermittentes “Intermittentes” means “intermittent” in “Les pannes intermittentes”, describing faults that occur only from time to time. It agrees with the plural noun “pannes” in this expression. New example: “des coupures intermittentes” means “intermittent outages”.
peuvent “Peuvent” means “can” in “Les pannes intermittentes peuvent être difficiles”. It expresses what these faults may be like. New example: “Ces erreurs peuvent revenir” means “These errors can come back”.
être “Être” means “be” in “peuvent être difficiles”. It follows “peuvent” to connect the faults with the description “difficiles”. New example: “Cela peut être utile” means “That can be useful”.
difficiles “Difficiles” means “hard” or “difficult” in “peuvent être difficiles à reproduire”. It says that reproducing the faults requires effort. New example: “Ces étapes sont difficiles à suivre” means “These steps are difficult to follow”.
à In “difficiles à reproduire”, “à” links the description “difficiles” to the action “reproduire”. Together, the expression says that the faults are difficult to reproduce. New example: “facile à utiliser” means “easy to use”.
reproduire “Reproduire” means “reproduce” in “difficiles à reproduire”, referring to making the same fault happen again for testing. It is used after “difficiles à” in this expression. New example: “Nous essayons de reproduire le problème” means “We are trying to reproduce the problem”.
alors “Alors” means “so” in “alors nous allons le tester ici”. It introduces the action that follows from the difficulty of reproducing the faults. New example: “Il pleut, alors je reste ici” means “It is raining, so I am staying here”.
nous “Nous” means “we” in “nous allons le tester ici”. It identifies the people who will carry out the test. New example: “Nous pouvons vérifier le dossier” means “We can check the file”.
allons “Allons” is used in “nous allons le tester” to express “we are going to test it”. The pattern “nous allons” is followed by an infinitive for a planned or imminent action. New example: “Nous allons vérifier l’appareil” means “We are going to check the device”.
le In “nous allons le tester ici”, “le” means “it” and refers to the device or problem being tested. Here it is placed before “tester” as the object of that action, not as the article “the”. New example: “Nous allons le réparer” means “We are going to repair it”.
tester “Tester” means “test” in “nous allons le tester ici”. It refers to checking the device to see whether the fault appears. New example: “Nous devons tester la batterie” means “We need to test the battery”.
ici “Ici” means “here” in “nous allons le tester ici”. It indicates the place where the test will take place. New example: “Vous pouvez attendre ici” means “You can wait here”.
enregistré “Enregistré” means “recorded” in “J’ai enregistré une courte vidéo”. It describes the video that the customer made. New example: “J’ai enregistré le son” means “I recorded the sound”.
une “Une” means “a” in “une courte vidéo”. It introduces one unspecified video. New example: “une nouvelle panne” means “a new fault”.
courte “Courte” means “short” in “une courte vidéo”. It describes the limited length of the video and agrees with “vidéo” in this expression. New example: “une courte réponse” means “a short answer”.
vidéo “Vidéo” means “video” in “une courte vidéo”. Here it is evidence showing the problem during normal use. New example: “J’ai envoyé une vidéo” means “I sent a video”.
où In “une courte vidéo où l’on voit le problème”, “où” means “in which” and introduces what can be seen in the video. It links “vidéo” with the following information. New example: “un rapport où l’on trouve les détails” means “a report in which the details can be found”.
l’on In “où l’on voit le problème”, “l’on” is the subject form meaning “one” or, in this context, “we can see”. It presents the problem as visible in the video. New example: “un document où l’on voit la date” means “a document in which one can see the date”.
voit “Voit” means “sees” in “où l’on voit le problème”. It says that the problem is visible in the video. New example: “On voit la différence” means “You can see the difference”.
problème “Problème” means “problem” in “l’on voit le problème”. Here it refers to the device fault shown in the video. New example: “Le problème revient” means “The problem comes back”.
pendant “Pendant” means “during” in “pendant une utilisation normale”. It places the problem within the period of normal use. New example: “pendant le test” means “during the test”.
utilisation “Utilisation” means “use” in “une utilisation normale”. It refers to operating the device. New example: “pendant l’utilisation de l’appareil” means “during use of the device”.
normale “Normale” means “normal” in “une utilisation normale”. It describes ordinary use rather than an unusual test situation. New example: “dans des conditions normales” means “under normal conditions”.
La “La” means “the” before the feminine noun “vidéo” in “La vidéo sera utile”. It identifies the video already mentioned. New example: “La réparation est terminée” means “The repair is finished”.
sera “Sera” means “will be” in “La vidéo sera utile”. It describes the video’s future usefulness if the fault does not appear during testing. New example: “Le document sera nécessaire” means “The document will be necessary”.
utile “Utile” means “useful” in “La vidéo sera utile”. It says that the video can help provide evidence of the fault. New example: “Cette information est utile” means “This information is useful”.
si “Si” means “if” in “si le problème ne se manifeste pas pendant le test”. It introduces the condition under which the video will help. New example: “Appelez-nous si le problème revient” means “Call us if the problem comes back”.
ne In “ne se manifeste pas”, “ne” is part of the French negative expression with “pas”. Together, “ne ... pas” says that the problem does not appear during the test. New example: “Le voyant ne clignote pas” means “The indicator light is not flashing”.
se In “le problème ne se manifeste pas”, “se” belongs to the expression “se manifester”, meaning “to show up” or “to manifest itself”. It marks the problem as appearing on its own. New example: “Le défaut se manifeste après quelques minutes” means “The fault appears after a few minutes”.
manifeste “Manifeste” in “se manifeste” means “shows up” or “appears”. The expression refers to the fault becoming observable during the test. New example: “Le problème se manifeste rarement” means “The problem rarely appears”.
pas In “ne se manifeste pas”, “pas” completes the negative expression “ne ... pas”. The full expression says that the problem does not show up during the test. New example: “Cela ne fonctionne pas” means “It does not work”.
test “Test” means “test” in “pendant le test”. It refers to the inspection or trial carried out at the service counter. New example: “Le test commence maintenant” means “The test starts now”.
Je “Je” means “I” in “Je préférerais un remplacement”. It identifies the customer expressing a personal preference. New example: “Je souhaite un échange” means “I would like an exchange”.
préférerais “Préférerais” means “would prefer” in “Je préférerais un remplacement”. It expresses a polite or non-forceful preference. The reusable pattern is “Je préférerais” followed by the preferred option. New example: “Je préférerais attendre” means “I would prefer to wait”.
un “Un” means “a” in “un remplacement”. It introduces one replacement as the customer’s preferred solution. New example: “un autre appareil” means “another device”.
remplacement “Remplacement” means “replacement” in “Je préférerais un remplacement”. It refers to receiving another device instead of having this one repaired. New example: “demander un remplacement” means “to request a replacement”.
plutôt In “plutôt qu’une réparation”, “plutôt” contributes the meaning “rather”, expressing a preference for one option over another. The full comparison is “un remplacement plutôt qu’une réparation”. New example: “Je prends le train plutôt que le bus” means “I will take the train rather than the bus”.
qu’une “Qu’une” means “than a” in “plutôt qu’une réparation”. It introduces the repair as the option that is not preferred. The pattern “plutôt que” can compare one noun or action with another. New example: “Je préfère attendre plutôt que partir” means “I prefer to wait rather than leave”.
réparation “Réparation” means “repair” in “plutôt qu’une réparation”. It is the alternative to the requested replacement. New example: “La réparation prendra deux jours” means “The repair will take two days”.
pouvons “Pouvons” means “can” in “Nous pouvons noter cette préférence”. It expresses that the service staff are able to record the customer’s preference. New example: “Nous pouvons vérifier le numéro” means “We can check the number”.
noter “Noter” means “note” or “record” in “Nous pouvons noter cette préférence”. It refers to writing the preference into the service information. New example: “Veuillez noter cette information” means “Please note this information”.
cette “Cette” means “this” in “cette préférence”. It points to the preference just expressed by the customer. New example: “cette demande” means “this request”.
préférence “Préférence” means “preference” in “noter cette préférence”. It refers to the customer’s choice of a replacement rather than a repair. New example: “indiquer sa préférence” means “to state one’s preference”.
c’est In “c’est l’inspection qui déterminera la prochaine étape”, “c’est” means “it is” and highlights the inspection as the factor that will decide what happens next. This form commonly introduces the element being emphasized. New example: “C’est le responsable qui répondra” means “It is the manager who will answer”.
l’inspection “L’inspection” means “the inspection” in “c’est l’inspection qui déterminera la prochaine étape”. It refers to the examination of the device that will guide the decision. New example: “L’inspection commence à neuf heures” means “The inspection starts at nine o’clock”.
qui In “l’inspection qui déterminera la prochaine étape”, “qui” links “l’inspection” to the action “déterminera”. It introduces the clause explaining what the inspection will do. New example: “le test qui montrera le défaut” means “the test that will show the fault”.
déterminera “Déterminera” means “will determine” in “l’inspection qui déterminera la prochaine étape”. It says that the inspection will decide the next action. New example: “Le résultat déterminera la solution” means “The result will determine the solution”.
prochaine “Prochaine” means “next” in “la prochaine étape”. It identifies the step that follows the inspection. New example: “la prochaine réunion” means “the next meeting”.
étape “Étape” means “step” in “la prochaine étape”. Here it refers to the next stage in handling the service request. New example: “Quelle est la prochaine étape ?” means “What is the next step?”
Veuillez “Veuillez” gives a formal, polite instruction in “Veuillez noter que...”, meaning “Please note that...”. It is used before an infinitive in formal requests. New example: “Veuillez patienter” means “Please wait”.
que In “Veuillez noter que le problème a commencé...”, “que” introduces the information the listener is asked to note. It connects “noter” with the following statement. New example: “Je confirme que la vidéo est jointe” means “I confirm that the video is attached”.
a In “le problème a commencé”, “a” means “has” and works with “commencé” to describe when the problem started. The pattern “a” plus a past participle is used for a completed event. New example: “Le défaut a disparu” means “The fault disappeared”.
commencé “Commencé” means “started” in “le problème a commencé”. It identifies the beginning of the problem after installation. New example: “Le test a commencé” means “The test started”.
juste In “juste après l’installation”, “juste” means “right” or “immediately”, emphasizing the close timing. The full expression says that the problem began immediately after installation. New example: “juste avant le rendez-vous” means “right before the appointment”.
après “Après” means “after” in “juste après l’installation”. It places the beginning of the problem later than the installation. New example: “après le test” means “after the test”.
l’installation “L’installation” means “the setup” or “the installation” in “juste après l’installation”. It refers to setting up the device before normal use. New example: “L’installation a pris dix minutes” means “The installation took ten minutes”.
vais In “Je vais ajouter cela”, “vais” is part of the expression “je vais” meaning “I am going to” or “I will”. It introduces an action the speaker intends to do next. New example: “Je vais vérifier le dossier” means “I am going to check the file”.
ajouter “Ajouter” means “add” in “Je vais ajouter cela au dossier”. It refers to putting the customer’s information into the service record. New example: “Je vais ajouter une remarque” means “I am going to add a note”.
cela “Cela” means “that” in “Je vais ajouter cela”. It refers to the information just given about when the problem started. New example: “Je vais noter cela” means “I am going to note that”.
au “Au” means “to the” in “ajouter cela au dossier”. It is the combined form used before the masculine noun “dossier” after “ajouter”. New example: “ajouter le fichier au message” means “to add the file to the message”.
dossier “Dossier” means “record” or “file” in “au dossier du service après-vente”. Here it is the service record containing information about the request. New example: “consulter le dossier” means “to consult the file”.
service après-vente “Service après-vente” means “after-sales service” as a whole in “le dossier du service après-vente”. “Service” refers to the support department or service, while “après-vente” specifies that it operates after the sale. This expression is used for help, repairs, exchanges, and follow-up after purchase.

Grammar Points

plutôt que + nom

un remplacement plutôt qu’une réparation

uhn rahm-plahs-MAHN plew-TOH KEWN ray-pah-rah-SYOHN

a replacement rather than a repair

This fixed structure expresses a preference or contrast between two noun phrases.

futur simple : déterminera

L’inspection déterminera la prochaine étape.

lan-spehk-SYOHN day-tair-mee-nuh-RAH lah proh-SHEN ay-TAHP

The inspection will determine the next step.

The future simple describes an action that will happen later; -era marks the third-person singular.

French Vocabulary

appareil noun
ah-pah-RAY device

cet appareil

clignoter verb
klee-NYOH-TAY to flicker clignote
courte adj
KOORT short
difficile adj
dee-fee-SEEL difficult difficiles
écran noun
ay-KRAHN screen

l’écran

enregistrer verb
ahn-ruh-zhee-STRAY to record enregistré
intermittent adj
an-tair-mee-TAHN intermittent intermittentes
panne noun
PAHN fault pannes

Les pannes intermittentes

récemment adv
ray-sah-MAHN recently
reproduire verb
ruh-proh-DWEER to reproduce
se manifester verb
suh mah-nee-FEHS-TAY to show up se manifeste
vidéo noun
vee-day-OH video

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

screen

Show Answerécran

recently

Show Answerrécemment

to record

Show Answerenregistré

fault

Show Answerpannes