French - Basic Problem Statements

Lesson 23 of 159

Learner pointing to a map and a broken phone — practicing basic problem statements in French for travel and daily life.

Goal: Say there’s a problem and describe it simply

Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Hello — ready to point out problems in French? This short lesson helps you name common issues so you can get help quickly. Have fun — a little trouble-telling goes a long way!

Level A1: Lesson 23 — In this lesson you will practice simple phrases to say there is a problem and describe common issues (e.g., J'ai un problème, Ça ne marche pas, Je suis perdu, J’ai mal à ___). These CEFR-aligned phrases are great for travel, shops, and asking for help.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and say basic problem statements in French (Level A1).
  • Use short frames to report lost items, health problems, or malfunctioning things.
  • Practice hearing these phrases in a short conversation and speaking them aloud.
A short street scene where a traveler asks for help, using French problem phrases like 'Je suis perdu' and 'J'ai un problème'.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

J'ai un problème.

I have a problem.

Meaning: I have a problem.

When to use: Use this to tell someone you need help right away or that something is wrong.

J'ai un problème avec ma réservation.
I have a problem with my reservation.
J'ai un problème, pouvez-vous m'aider ?
I have a problem, can you help me?

Il y a un problème.

Something is wrong.

Meaning: Something is wrong.

When to use: Say this to describe that a situation or thing is not okay, more general than 'I'.

Il y a un problème avec la connexion Wi‑Fi.
There is a problem with the Wi‑Fi connection.
Il y a un problème dans la chambre, la porte ne ferme pas.
There is a problem in the room, the door won't close.

Ça ne marche pas.

It doesn't work.

Meaning: It doesn't work.

When to use: Use for machines, devices, apps, or services that are not functioning.

Le distributeur ne donne pas d'argent — ça ne marche pas.
The ATM won't give money — it doesn't work.
Je tourne la clé mais la serrure ne marche pas — ça ne marche pas.
I turn the key but the lock doesn't work — it doesn't work.

J'ai perdu ___.

I lost ___.

Meaning: I lost ___.

When to use: Add what you lost (mon, ma, mes, le, la) to say you can't find an item.

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget the correct possessive (mon/ma/mes) after 'J'ai perdu'.

J'ai perdu mon portefeuille.
I lost my wallet.
J'ai perdu mes clés hier soir.
I lost my keys last night.

Je suis perdu.

I'm lost.

Meaning: I'm lost.

When to use: Say this when you don't know where you are or how to reach a place.

Tip: If a woman speaks, she may say 'Je suis perdue' — don't forget the final 'e' for feminine.

Excusez-moi, je suis perdu — où est la gare ?
Excuse me, I'm lost — where is the station?
Je suis perdu, pouvez-vous montrer sur la carte ?
I'm lost, can you point on the map?

Je me sens mal.

I feel sick.

Meaning: I feel sick.

When to use: Use to say you are not feeling well physically and might need help or rest.

Je me sens mal depuis ce matin.
I have felt sick since this morning.
Je me sens mal, est-ce qu'il y a une pharmacie ?
I feel sick, is there a pharmacy?

Il n'y a pas de ___.

There is no ___.

Meaning: There is no ___.

When to use: State that something needed is missing or unavailable (use 'pas d'' before vowels).

Tip: Before a vowel use 'pas d'___' (e.g. 'Il n'y a pas d'eau'), not 'pas de eau'.

Il n'y a pas de pain à l'hôtel ce matin.
There is no bread at the hotel this morning.
Il n'y a pas d'eau chaude dans ma chambre.
There is no hot water in my room.

Je peux pas ouvrir ___.

I can't open ___.

Meaning: I can't open ___.

When to use: Say this when you cannot physically open something (door, file, app).

Je peux pas ouvrir la porte, la clé tourne mais rien.
I can't open the door, the key turns but nothing.
Je peux pas ouvrir le fichier PDF sur mon téléphone.
I can't open the PDF file on my phone.

Je peux pas utiliser ___.

I can't use ___.

Meaning: I can't use ___.

When to use: Use this to say an object, machine, or service is unusable for you.

Je peux pas utiliser la machine à laver, elle est cassée.
I can't use the washing machine, it's broken.
Je peux pas utiliser le Wi‑Fi de l'hôtel.
I can't use the hotel's Wi‑Fi.

J’entends pas ___.

I can't hear ___.

Meaning: I can't hear ___.

When to use: Say this when you do not hear a sound, announcement, or person.

J’entends pas l'annonce à la gare.
I can't hear the announcement at the station.
J’entends pas le son de la vidéo.
I can't hear the sound of the video.

Je vois pas ___.

I can't see ___.

Meaning: I can't see ___.

When to use: Use this for visibility issues (small text, dark screen, blocked view).

Je vois pas l'écran, il est trop brillant.
I can't see the screen, it's too bright.
Je vois pas le panneau, il est couvert d'affiches.
I can't see the sign, it's covered with posters.

Je peux pas lire ___.

I can't read ___.

Meaning: I can't read ___.

When to use: Say this when text is unclear, too small, or in the wrong language.

Je peux pas lire ce petit texte sur le formulaire.
I can't read this small text on the form.
Je peux pas lire le menu, les caractères sont flous.
I can't read the menu, the letters are blurry.

J’ai mal à ___.

My ___ hurts.

Meaning: My ___ hurts.

When to use: Say which body part hurts (use au/à la/aux as needed: 'J’ai mal au bras', 'à la tête').

Tip: Remember the correct article: 'J’ai mal au bras' (au), 'J’ai mal à la jambe' (à la), 'J’ai mal aux pieds' (aux).

J’ai mal à la tête depuis ce matin.
My head has hurt since this morning.
J’ai mal au ventre après le repas.
My stomach hurts after the meal.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David meet near a café where small problems happen.

Two people in a café talk about a phone that doesn't work and a lost item, illustrating how to report problems in French.

Who says they are lost?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Bonjour — j'ai un problème avec mon téléphone, ça ne marche pas.

Hello — I have a problem with my phone, it doesn't work.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Oh non. Tu entends les notifications ?

Oh no. Can you hear the notifications?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Non, j’entends pas. Et en plus j’ai perdu mes clés.

No, I can't hear. And on top of that I lost my keys.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Je peux pas ouvrir la porte sans les clés.

I can't open the door without the keys.

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Et maintenant je suis perdue ici — tu peux m'aider ?

And now I'm lost here — can you help me?

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Bien sûr. Il n'y a pas de problème, on va chercher une solution.

Of course. There's no problem, we'll find a solution.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

How do you say 'I have a problem' in French?

Which phrase means 'It doesn't work'?

You cannot see the screen. What would you say?

Which sentence means 'There is no hot water'?

The door won't open and I don't have my key. I can't open the door.

La porte ne s'ouvre pas et je n'ai pas ma clé. ______________

I'm looking at the map and I don't know where to go. I'm lost.

Je regarde la carte et je ne sais pas où aller. ______________

The text is unreadable on the phone. I can't read the screen.

Le texte est illisible sur le téléphone. ______________

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

J'ai un problème.

I have a problem.

Say this phrase out loud:

Il y a un problème.

Something is wrong.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ça ne marche pas.

It doesn't work.

Say this phrase out loud (add what you lost):

J'ai perdu ___.

I lost ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je suis perdu.

I'm lost.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je me sens mal.

I feel sick.

Say this phrase out loud (complete with the missing item):

Il n'y a pas de ___.

There is no ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add the object):

Je peux pas ouvrir ___.

I can't open ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add the object):

Je peux pas utiliser ___.

I can't use ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add the sound or source):

J’entends pas ___.

I can't hear ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add what you can't see):

Je vois pas ___.

I can't see ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add what you can't read):

Je peux pas lire ___.

I can't read ___.

Say this phrase out loud (add the body part):

J’ai mal à ___.

My ___ hurts.