Tu sais, ___.
You know, ___.
Tu sais, je n'ai pas encore décidé.
You know, I haven't decided yet.
Tu sais, c'est un peu compliqué en ce moment.
You know, it's a bit complicated right now.
French - Hesitation
Lesson 91 of 159
Goal: Soft ways to pause, fix what you said, and sound natural
Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.
Bonjour! Ready for a short, friendly practice with little phrases that keep conversation flowing? In this lesson you'll hear, repeat, and use hesitation phrases that act like social glue.
Level A2: This short lesson helps you practice four useful French hesitation phrases: Tu sais, ___; C'est plutôt ___; Ou quelque chose comme ça; and Attends, je veux dire ___. You'll practice hearing them in a mini-conversation, try quick quizzes, and speak each phrase aloud. It's CEFR-aligned and just the right size for Lesson 91—no pressure, just tiny language nudges.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
- Understand when to soften or correct what you say in a casual conversation.
- Use four hesitation phrases to buy time, approximate an idea, or self-correct.
- Practice listening, choosing the right phrase in context, and speaking aloud.
- Level A2: build natural-sounding spoken English with social glue phrases.
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.
C'est plutôt ___.
It's more like ___.
Ce n'est pas une erreur grave, c'est plutôt un oubli.
It's not a serious mistake, it's more like an oversight.
Il n'est pas fâché, c'est plutôt surpris.
He's not angry; it's more like surprised.
Ou quelque chose comme ça.
Or something like that.
On pourrait prendre un taxi, ou quelque chose comme ça.
We could take a taxi, or something like that.
Il a dit vers midi, ou quelque chose comme ça.
He said around noon, or something like that.
Attends, je veux dire ___.
Wait, I mean ___.
Attends, je veux dire, nous partons demain, pas aujourd'hui.
Wait, I mean, we're leaving tomorrow, not today.
Attends, je veux dire que j'aime l'idée, mais pas maintenant.
Wait, I mean that I like the idea, but not now.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At a café, deciding whether to walk or stay inside
What are Anna and David hesitating about?
Anna
Tu sais, on pourrait aller au parc cet après-midi.
You know, we could go to the park this afternoon.
David
Attends, je veux dire, il risque de pleuvoir.
Wait, I mean, it might rain.
Anna
C'est plutôt une petite balade, pas une longue randonnée.
It's more like a short walk, not a long hike.
David
Tu sais, oui… ou quelque chose comme ça.
You know, yes… or something like that.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which French phrase means 'You know, ___.'?
Which phrase would you use to soften a correction: 'It's more like...'?
Which phrase best translates to 'Or something like that.'?
Which phrase would you use to pause and correct what you just said?
—We start the meeting at ten? —Wait, I mean, ten thirty would be better.
—On commence la réunion à dix heures? —__, à dix heures trente serait mieux.
It's not a drama, it's more like a small mistake.
Ce n'est pas un drame, ___ une petite erreur.
You know, I'm looking for a funny movie or something like that.
Tu sais, je cherche un film drôle ___.
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:
Tu sais, ___.
You know, ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
C'est plutôt ___.
It's more like ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
Ou quelque chose comme ça.
Or something like that.
Say this phrase out loud:
Attends, je veux dire ___.
Wait, I mean ___.