French for English speakers Street · Lesson 2

I got lost!

Lost in France — Est-ce l'école primaire ? (Is this the elementary school?) — for asking directions politely.

Conversation

Pronunciation Translations Tips

Pishi

Excusez-moi, est-ce l'école primaire ?

Excuse me, is this the elementary school?

Tip: <école primiare> can be translated as primary school
Lindo

Non, c'est le collège.

No. This is the middle school.

Tip: <collège> Is a false friend, and does not mean "college"
Pishi

Où est-ce que je peux trouver l'école primaire, alors ?

Where is the elementary school, then?
Lindo

Derrière la salle de sport.

Behind the sports hall.

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you ask 'is this ...?' in French?

Est-ce + noun? or C'est + noun? (rising intonation). Est-ce l'école primaire? = 'is this the elementary school?'.

French school levels?

L'école primaire (primary), le collège (middle school, ages 11-15), le lycée (high school, ages 15-18), l'université (university).

Excusez-moi vs Pardon?

Both 'excuse me'. Excusez-moi to get attention politely. Pardon for bumping into someone or interrupting briefly.