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Lesson 102 of 240

New here? This is lesson 102 of a free 240-lesson French course.

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High-speed rail in French

Sam needs two TGV tickets to Lyon this morning. At the station, Gaspard tries to sit on the ticket machine, and Inès texts: a window seat if they can.

You'll ask for a return, pick second class, find the platform, and check a window seat.

The train may be late. You still buy the tickets and wait on the platform.

By the end of this lesson

Buy a TGV ticket, find the platform, and pick a seat.

  • Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon.I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.
  • En seconde, s'il vous plaît.Second class, please.
  • Voiture 12, place 45.Carriage 12, seat 45.
  • Le TGV part de quel quai ?Which platform does the TGV leave from?
  • Le train a du retard.The train is delayed.
  • C'est une place fenêtre ?Is it a window seat?

Scene — the ticket machine

The station for trains to Lyon, late morning. Sam stands at a ticket machine with his mustard backpack. Gaspard leans over the screen on two hooves.

Inès has already texted: she wants a window. A clerk waits at the next desk.

A wide view of the busy station hall with Sam at a ticket machine, Gaspard leaning at the screen, and a clerk waiting at the next desk.

Learn — returns and platforms

Six lines cover a return to Lyon, second class, a carriage and seat number, the platform, a delay, and a window seat.

  1. A low view up at Gaspard trying to perch on the ticket machine while Sam reaches toward the screen.

    Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon.

    I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.

    When to use it: Use this at the desk when you want a return to that city.

    Aller-retour is the return ticket you ask for at the desk.

    Say it: The on in Lyon is a nasal sound.

  2. An over-the-shoulder view of Sam pointing at a blank class option on the ticket machine as Gaspard leans in.

    En seconde, s'il vous plaît.

    Second class, please.

    When to use it: Add this to put the ticket in second class.

    Staff get vous, so this please stays in the vous form.

    Say it: The last t in plaît is silent.

  3. A close-up of a clerk holding out blank tickets across the service desk toward Sam's hand.

    Voiture 12, place 45.

    Carriage 12, seat 45.

    When to use it: Read this carriage and seat off your ticket.

    Carriage first, then the numbered seat on that car.

  4. Sam leaving the ticket desk toward the platform gates with one hand raised at an overhead display.

    Le TGV part de quel quai ?

    Which platform does the TGV leave from?

    When to use it: Ask staff which platform your high-speed train uses.

    At a station this word is the platform you wait on.

  5. A high view of Gaspard at an overhead display and a clerk shrugging while a train sits idle beyond the gates.

    Le train a du retard.

    The train is delayed.

    When to use it: Say this when the board shows your train is late.

    The delay phrase keeps du in the middle as one piece.

    Say it: The vowel in train is nasal; the n is not said on its own.

  6. A train window on the platform in sharp detail with Sam holding a blank ticket and looking toward it in the background.

    C'est une place fenêtre ?

    Is it a window seat?

    When to use it: Ask this to check the seat is on the window side.

    Une goes with place, which is feminine.

    Say it: The t in C'est links into une.

Story — two tickets to Lyon

Watch Sam buy two returns at the window. Gaspard will not stay off the machine.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. The hall is busy. Sam steps up to the window.
  2. SamBonjour.Hello.
  3. ClerkBonjour.Hello.
  4. SamJe voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon.I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.
  5. Gaspard tries to perch on the ticket machine. The clerk waits.
  6. ClerkPour deux. En première ou en seconde ?For two. First class or second class?
  7. SamEn seconde, s'il vous plaît.Second class, please.
  8. ClerkVoiture 12, place 45. Et place 46.Carriage 12, seat 45. And seat 46.
  9. Sam's phone buzzes. Inès wants a window if they can.
  10. SamC'est une place fenêtre ?Is it a window seat?
  11. ClerkOui, et la 46 aussi.Yes, and 46 too.
  12. SamLe TGV part de quel quai ?Which platform does the TGV leave from?
  13. ClerkC'est le quai cinq.It's platform five.
  14. Gaspard is off the machine, reading the board.
  15. GaspardLe train a du retard.The train is delayed.
  16. ClerkBon voyage.Safe travels.

Practice — class and window

Eleven short tasks wait at the ticket window. You'll listen, build, fill a gap, and pick the right line.

They stay small, so you can book the train without rushing.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What do you say?

    You already asked for a return. Now choose the class, politely, for the clerk.

  3. Fill the gap

    I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.

    Je voudrais un aller-retour ____ Lyon.

  4. What does it mean?

    Le train a du retard.

  5. Pick the reply

    Clerk says:

    Voiture 12, place 45. Et place 46.

    Carriage 12, seat 45. And seat 46.

    And you reply with:

  6. Build the line

    The train is delayed.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Swap the word

    You have your tickets. Ask which platform the high-speed train leaves from.

    Le ____ part de quel quai ?

  8. What do you say?

    You walk up to the ticket window in the morning. The clerk looks at you.

  9. True or false?

    You say this to wish someone a good trip.

  10. Fill the gap

    Carriage 12, seat 45.

    Voiture 12, ____ 45.

  11. Build the line

    Which platform?

     ?

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — buy the tickets

Now you're Sam at the ticket window. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear it. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. ClerkBonjour.Hello.
  2. Sam (you)Ask for a return ticket for your weekend with Inès.

    Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon.

    I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

FrenchEnglish
Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon.I'd like a return ticket to Lyon.
En seconde, s'il vous plaît.Second class, please.
Voiture 12, place 45.Carriage 12, seat 45.
Le TGV part de quel quai ?Which platform does the TGV leave from?
Le train a du retard.The train is delayed.
C'est une place fenêtre ?Is it a window seat?
Next: lesson 103Hail a taxi

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A quick Yak Cards round keeps the platform and seat lines ready.

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