Shared hallway safety | Learn French in English

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Use Shared hallway safety to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Certaines boîtes ont été laissées dans le couloir commun.

sehr-TEHN bwat ohn ay-TAY leh-SAY dahn luh koo-LWAR koh-MUH(N) Some boxes have been left in the shared hallway.

Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès, surtout en cas d'urgence.

suh-LAH poo-RAY bloh-KAY lahk-SAY, syoo-TOO ahn kahz doo-RZHONSS That could block access, especially in an emergency.

Je ne sais pas vraiment à qui elles appartiennent, alors je ne les ai pas déplacées.

zhuh nuh say pah vray-MAHN ah kee el ah-pahr-TYEN, ah-LOR zhuh nuh lay ay pah day-plah-SAY I am not sure whose they are, so I have not moved them.

Nous devrions envoyer un message neutre aux résidents.

noo duh-vree-OHN ahn-vwah-YAY uhn meh-SAHZH NUHTR oh ray-zee-DAHN We should send a neutral message to the residents.

Le message devrait mettre l'accent sur la sécurité plutôt que sur la recherche d'un responsable.

luh meh-SAHZH duh-VRAY mehtr lahk-SAHN syoor lah say-kyoo-ree-TAY plyoo-TOH kuh syoor lah ruh-SHER-sh duhn reh-spohn-SAHBL The message should focus on safety rather than blame.

Cette façon de présenter les choses suscite généralement une meilleure réaction.

set fah-SOHN duh pray-zahn-TAY lay SHOZ syoo-SEET zhay-nay-ral-MAHN oon meh-YUR ray-ak-SYOHN That framing usually gets a better response.

Si personne ne les réclame, le gestionnaire de l'immeuble pourra décider de la suite.

see pair-SONN nuh lay ray-KLAM, luh zhay-styoh-NAIR duh lee-MUHL poo-RAH day-see-DAY duh lah SWEET If nobody claims them, management can decide the next step.

Cela permet de garder une démarche équitable et documentée.

suh-LAH pair-MEH duh gar-DAY oon day-MARSH ay-kee-TAHBL ay doh-kyoo-mahn-TAY That keeps the process fair and documented.

Word by Word

Certaines “Certaines” means “some” here, referring to the boxes in “Certaines boîtes”. It is used before a feminine plural noun; a new example is “Certaines personnes arrivent tôt.”

boîtes “Boîtes” means “boxes” in “Certaines boîtes”. It names the objects left in the shared hallway, and can be reused with a quantity or description, such as a new example “deux boîtes en carton.”

ont “Ont” means “have” as part of “ont été laissées”, describing what has happened to the boxes. It is used with “été laissées” here; a new example is “Les clés ont disparu.”

été “Été” means “been” in “ont été laissées”. Together with “ont” and “laissées”, it helps express that the boxes were left somewhere; a new example is “La porte a été fermée.”

laissées “Laissées” means “left” in “ont été laissées”. Its ending matches “boîtes”, and the phrase can be reused for objects left in a place, such as a new example “Les affaires ont été laissées dehors.”

dans “Dans” means “in” and places “Certaines boîtes” inside “le couloir commun”. It commonly introduces a location, as in a new example “dans la salle.”

le “Le” means “the” before “couloir” in “le couloir commun”. It introduces a masculine singular noun, and the same article appears before “message” in a new example “le message.”

couloir “Couloir” means “hallway” or “corridor” in “le couloir commun”. It refers to the shared passage in the building and can be used with a location, such as a new example “au bout du couloir.”

commun “Commun” means “shared” or “common” in “le couloir commun”. It identifies the hallway as used by several residents, and can describe another shared place in a new example “un espace commun.”

Cela “Cela” means “that” and refers to the boxes being left in the hallway. In “Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès”, it introduces the situation being evaluated; a new example is “Cela pose un problème.”

pourrait “Pourrait” expresses that something could happen in “Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès”. It presents a possible consequence rather than a certainty, and can be reused before an infinitive, as in a new example “Cela pourrait changer la situation.”

bloquer “Bloquer” means “to block” in “pourrait bloquer l'accès”. It describes preventing access, and commonly takes the thing or route being obstructed as its object, as in a new example “bloquer une porte.”

l'accès “L'accès” means “access” in “bloquer l'accès”. It refers to the ability to enter or pass through, and can be used after “bloquer” or with a place, as in a new example “l'accès au bâtiment.”

surtout “Surtout” means “especially” in “surtout en cas d'urgence”. It highlights the emergency situation as particularly important, and can emphasize one point in a list or explanation, as in a new example “surtout le soir.”

en “En” is part of “en cas d'urgence”, meaning “in the event of an emergency”. This expression introduces a situation or circumstance, and can be reused with another noun, as in a new example “en cas de problème.”

cas “Cas” means “case” in the fixed expression “en cas d'urgence”. The full expression refers to an event or circumstance, and “en cas de” is a reusable pattern, as in a new example “en cas de retard.”

d'urgence “D'urgence” means “of an emergency” in “en cas d'urgence”. It specifies the circumstance in which access might be blocked, and the same pattern can identify another type of situation, as in a new example “en cas d'incendie.”

Je “Je” means “I” in “Je ne sais pas vraiment”. It marks the speaker as the person who does not know, and commonly comes before a verb, as in a new example “Je comprends.”

ne “Ne” is the first part of the negation in “ne sais pas”, whose full meaning is “do not know”. It normally works with “pas” around the verb in this construction; a new example is “Je ne comprends pas.”

sais “Sais” means “know” in “Je ne sais pas vraiment”. It expresses the speaker’s knowledge about who the boxes belong to, and can be reused with a question or clause, as in a new example “Je sais où il est.”

pas “Pas” is the second part of the negation in “ne sais pas”, making the meaning “do not know”. It works with “ne” around the verb here; a new example is “Je ne sais pas.”

vraiment “Vraiment” means “really” in “ne sais pas vraiment”, softening the statement to “I am not really sure”. It commonly modifies the strength or certainty of an expression, as in a new example “Je ne comprends pas vraiment.”

à “À” is part of “à qui elles appartiennent”, identifying the person or entity to whom the boxes belong. It is used with “appartenir” in this construction; a new example is “À qui appartient ce sac ?”

qui “Qui” means “who” or “whom” in “à qui elles appartiennent”. With “à”, it asks whose property something is, and the reusable pattern is “À qui appartient... ?”

elles “Elles” means “they” and refers back to the feminine plural noun “boîtes”. In “elles appartiennent”, it is the subject of the statement about ownership; a new example is “Elles sont dans le couloir.”

appartiennent “Appartiennent” means “belong” in “à qui elles appartiennent”. The construction “appartenir à” identifies the owner, as in a new example “Ces clés appartiennent à Marie.”

alors “Alors” means “so” in “alors je ne les ai pas déplacées”. It links the uncertainty about ownership to the decision not to move the boxes, and can introduce a consequence in a new example “Alors, que faisons-nous ?”

les “Les” means “them” in “je ne les ai pas déplacées”, referring to “boîtes”. It is placed before the auxiliary in this verb construction, and a new example is “Je les ai vues.”

ai “Ai” means “have” in “je ne les ai pas déplacées”. Together with “déplacées”, it describes an action the speaker has not carried out, and a new example is “Je n'ai pas trouvé les clés.”

déplacées “Déplacées” means “moved” in “je ne les ai pas déplacées”. Its ending matches the feminine plural object “boîtes”, and it can describe moving objects from one place to another, as in a new example “Les chaises ont été déplacées.”

Nous “Nous” means “we” in “Nous devrions envoyer”. It identifies the speakers as a group proposing an action, and commonly comes before a verb, as in a new example “Nous pouvons attendre.”

devrions “Devrions” means “should” in “Nous devrions envoyer un message”. It presents sending the message as a recommendation, and is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in a new example “Nous devrions agir.”

envoyer “Envoyer” means “to send” in “envoyer un message”. It takes the item being sent as its object, and can be reused with a recipient introduced by “à”, as in a new example “envoyer un courriel à un voisin.”

un “Un” means “a” in “un message neutre”. It introduces one unspecified masculine singular noun, and can be reused before another such noun, as in a new example “un avis.”

message “Message” means “message” in “un message neutre”. It refers to the communication intended for the residents, and can be used with verbs such as “envoyer” in a new example “recevoir un message.”

neutre “Neutre” means “neutral” in “un message neutre”. It describes a message that avoids blaming a particular person, and can describe a tone or wording in a new example “un ton neutre.”

aux “Aux” means “to the” in “aux résidents”. It is the contracted form used before the plural noun “résidents”, and introduces the recipients of the message; a new example is “écrire aux voisins.”

résidents “Résidents” means “residents” in “aux résidents”. It refers to the people living in the building, and can follow a communication verb, as in a new example “informer les résidents.”

devrait “Devrait” means “should” in “Le message devrait mettre l'accent sur la sécurité”. It expresses what the message is recommended to do, and is followed here by an infinitive construction; a new example is “Le texte devrait rester clair.”

mettre l'accent sur “Mettre l'accent sur” means “to focus on” or “to emphasize” in “mettre l'accent sur la sécurité”. The expression combines “mettre” for “put”, “l'accent” for “emphasis”, and “sur” for “on”; it is reusable with the topic after “sur”, as in a new example “mettre l'accent sur la prévention.”

la “La” means “the” before “sécurité” in “la sécurité”. It introduces a feminine singular noun, and the same article can appear before another feminine noun, as in a new example “la situation.”

sécurité “Sécurité” means “safety” in “la sécurité”. It is the topic the message should emphasize, and can be used with a place or group, as in a new example “la sécurité des résidents.”

plutôt “Plutôt” means “rather” in “plutôt que”, which sets safety against the search for someone responsible. It commonly appears in the comparison pattern “plutôt que” before the alternative, as in a new example “agir plutôt que parler.”

que “Que” completes “plutôt que”, meaning “rather than” in “plutôt que sur la recherche d'un responsable”. It introduces the alternative that should receive less emphasis, and the full pattern can be reused before a noun or verb.

recherche “Recherche” means “search” or “pursuit” in “la recherche d'un responsable”. It refers to trying to identify someone responsible, and the pattern “la recherche de” can introduce what is being sought, as in a new example “la recherche d'une solution.”

d'un “D'un” means “of a” in “la recherche d'un responsable”. It connects the search to one person described by “responsable”, and is used before a masculine singular noun; a new example is “la recherche d'un accord.”

responsable “Responsable” means “person responsible” in “la recherche d'un responsable”. Here it refers to identifying someone to blame for the boxes, and it can also describe responsibility in a new example “la personne responsable.”

Cette “Cette” means “this” in “Cette façon de présenter les choses”. It points to the particular way of framing the message, and introduces a feminine singular noun, as in a new example “cette démarche.”

façon “Façon” means “way” or “manner” in “Cette façon de présenter les choses”. It describes how something is done or expressed, and commonly appears with “de” followed by an infinitive, as in a new example “une façon de résoudre le problème.”

de “De” links “façon” to the infinitive “présenter” in “façon de présenter les choses”. It introduces the action that defines the way, and this pattern can be reused as “une manière de + infinitive.”

présenter “Présenter” means “to present” or “to frame” in “présenter les choses”. It describes how the situation is communicated, and can take “les choses” or another topic as its object, as in a new example “présenter une proposition.”

choses “Choses” means “things” in “présenter les choses”. Here it refers broadly to the situation being explained to residents, and the expression can describe how information is framed, as in a new example “voir les choses autrement.”

suscite “Suscite” means “elicits” or “generates” in “suscite généralement une meilleure réaction”. It describes the framing causing a response, and can be reused with a response or reaction as its object, as in a new example “Cette annonce suscite des questions.”

généralement “Généralement” means “usually” or “generally” in “suscite généralement une meilleure réaction”. It presents the better response as a usual result rather than a guarantee, and can modify a statement about a recurring effect, as in a new example “Les gens répondent généralement rapidement.”

une “Une” means “a” in “une meilleure réaction”. It introduces one unspecified feminine singular noun, and can be reused before another feminine noun, as in a new example “une réponse.”

meilleure “Meilleure” means “better” in “une meilleure réaction”. It compares the expected response with another possible response, and can modify a feminine noun in a new example “une meilleure solution.”

réaction “Réaction” means “reaction” or “response” in “une meilleure réaction”. It refers to how residents respond to the message, and can be used after a verb describing an effect, as in a new example “provoquer une réaction.”

Si “Si” means “if” in “Si personne ne les réclame”. It introduces the condition under which management may decide what happens next, and commonly begins a conditional clause, as in a new example “Si vous avez une question, écrivez-nous.”

personne “Personne” means “nobody” in “Si personne ne les réclame”. With “ne”, it states that no person claims the boxes, and the reusable pattern is “personne ne + verb.”

réclame “Réclame” means “claims” in “personne ne les réclame”. It describes a person identifying the boxes as theirs, and can take the claimed item as an object, as in a new example “Elle réclame son sac.”

gestionnaire “Gestionnaire” means “manager” in “le gestionnaire de l'immeuble”. It refers to the person responsible for managing the building, and can be followed by “de” plus the place or activity managed, as in a new example “le gestionnaire du site.”

de l'immeuble “De l'immeuble” means “of the building” in “le gestionnaire de l'immeuble”. It identifies which building the manager is responsible for, and the pattern “de l'immeuble” can describe another relation to the building, as in a new example “l'entrée de l'immeuble.”

pourra “Pourra” means “will be able to” in “pourra décider de la suite”. It presents management’s future ability or authority to decide, and is followed here by an infinitive; a new example is “Le responsable pourra répondre demain.”

décider “Décider” means “to decide” in “pourra décider de la suite”. It describes choosing what action comes next, and can be followed by “de” plus the matter decided, as in a new example “décider de partir.”

suite “Suite” means “next step” or “continuation” in “décider de la suite”. It refers to what will happen after the residents have had an opportunity to claim the boxes, and can be used in “la suite de la procédure.”

permet “Permet” means “allows” or “makes it possible” in “Cela permet de garder une démarche équitable”. It introduces an outcome enabled by the proposed process, and commonly follows the pattern “permettre de + infinitive.”

garder “Garder” means “to keep” in “permet de garder une démarche équitable et documentée”. It describes maintaining the process in a particular condition, and can be followed by an object plus an adjective, as in a new example “garder la porte ouverte.”

démarche “Démarche” means “process” or “approach” in “une démarche équitable et documentée”. It refers to the way the issue is handled, and can describe an organized course of action, as in a new example “une démarche claire.”

équitable “Équitable” means “fair” or “equitable” in “une démarche équitable”. It describes a process that treats the residents fairly, and can modify a decision, rule, or process in a new example “une solution équitable.”

et “Et” means “and” in “équitable et documentée”. It joins two descriptions of the same “démarche”, and can connect comparable words or phrases, as in a new example “clair et précis.”

documentée “Documentée” means “documented” in “une démarche équitable et documentée”. It describes a process for which the relevant steps or facts are recorded, and its ending matches the feminine singular noun “démarche”; a new example is “une décision documentée.”

Grammar Points

plutôt que + infinitif

Décider plutôt que réclamer.

day-see-DAY plyoo-TOH kuh ray-klah-MAY

To decide rather than claim.

Après « plutôt que », l’infinitif permet de comparer deux actions.

mettre l'accent sur + nom

Mettre l'accent sur la sécurité.

MEH-tr lahk-SAHN syoor lah say-kyoo-ree-TAY

To focus on safety.

Cette expression se construit avec « sur » avant le nom ou le groupe nominal.

French Vocabulary

accès noun

ak-SAY access

Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès, surtout en cas d'urgence.

appartenir verb

ah-pahr-tuh-NEER to belong appartiennent

Je ne sais pas vraiment à qui elles appartiennent.

bloquer verb

bloh-KAY to block

Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès, surtout en cas d'urgence.

boîte noun

bwat box boîtes

Certaines boîtes ont été laissées dans le couloir commun.

commun adj

koh-MUH(N) shared; common

Certaines boîtes ont été laissées dans le couloir commun.

couloir noun

koo-LWAR hallway

Certaines boîtes ont été laissées dans le couloir commun.

déplacer verb

day-plah-SAY to move déplacées

Je ne les ai pas déplacées.

envoyer verb

ahn-vwah-YAY to send

Nous devrions envoyer un message neutre aux résidents.

laisser verb

leh-SAY to leave laissées

Certaines boîtes ont été laissées dans le couloir commun.

message noun

meh-SAHZH message

Nous devrions envoyer un message neutre aux résidents.

surtout adv

syoo-TOO especially

Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès, surtout en cas d'urgence.

urgence noun

oor-ZHAHNS emergency

Cela pourrait bloquer l'accès, surtout en cas d'urgence.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

shared; common

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commun

box

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boîtes

emergency

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urgence

to block

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bloquer