French · A2 · Speaking · about 5 min
Ask for a ticket to Paris, check whether a return is possible, then find the departure platform.
‘Aller-retour’ is a return ticket. ‘Voie’ identifies the track shown on the departure board.
Say thisUn billet pour Paris, s'il vous plaît.
MeaningOne ticket to Paris, please.
When to use itStart the conversation naturally.
Say thisJe peux prendre un aller-retour ?
MeaningCan I get a return ticket?
When to use itAdd the detail the other person needs.
Say thisLe train part de quelle voie ?
MeaningWhich track does the train leave from?
When to use itFinish with a clear, polite line.
| Say this | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Un billet pour Paris, s'il vous plaît. | One ticket to Paris, please. | Start the conversation naturally. |
| Je peux prendre un aller-retour ? | Can I get a return ticket? | Add the detail the other person needs. |
| Le train part de quelle voie ? | Which track does the train leave from? | Finish with a clear, polite line. |
SituationYou need a one-way ticket to Paris. Which request fits?
Say thisUn aller simple pour Paris, s'il vous plaît.
Why‘Aller simple’ is a one-way ticket; ‘aller-retour’ is a return ticket.
SituationYou want the next departure. Which question asks for its time?
Say thisÀ quelle heure part le prochain train ?
Why‘À quelle heure’ asks for a time; ‘le prochain train’ is the next train.
SituationThe departure board changes. How do you check the platform?
Say thisDe quelle voie part le train maintenant ?
Why‘Voie’ is the track number shown for a departure.
SituationYou must change trains on the way. How do you ask where?
Say thisOù dois-je changer de train ?
Why‘Changer de train’ means to change trains; ‘où’ asks where.
SituationThe announcement is unclear. How do you ask whether this is the train to Paris?
Say thisC'est bien le train pour Paris ?
Why‘C'est bien le train pour Paris ?’ is a natural way to confirm the train's destination.
| Situation | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need a one-way ticket to Paris. Which request fits? | Un aller simple pour Paris, s'il vous plaît. | ‘Aller simple’ is a one-way ticket; ‘aller-retour’ is a return ticket. |
| You want the next departure. Which question asks for its time? | À quelle heure part le prochain train ? | ‘À quelle heure’ asks for a time; ‘le prochain train’ is the next train. |
| The departure board changes. How do you check the platform? | De quelle voie part le train maintenant ? | ‘Voie’ is the track number shown for a departure. |
| You must change trains on the way. How do you ask where? | Où dois-je changer de train ? | ‘Changer de train’ means to change trains; ‘où’ asks where. |
| The announcement is unclear. How do you ask whether this is the train to Paris? | C'est bien le train pour Paris ? | ‘C'est bien le train pour Paris ?’ is a natural way to confirm the train's destination. |
Ask for a ticket to Paris, check whether a return is possible, then find the departure platform.
You need a ticket to Paris. What do you say first?
You need a one-way ticket to Paris. Which request fits?
Un billet pour Paris, s'il vous plaît.
One ticket to Paris, please.
Start the conversation naturally.
Je peux prendre un aller-retour ?
Can I get a return ticket?
Add the detail the other person needs.
Le train part de quelle voie ?
Which track does the train leave from?
Finish with a clear, polite line.