French A1.3 Listening Practice: Say What You Can Do
French A1 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for say what you can do.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A1.3
Audio
1m 19s
Transcript
19 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Say what you can do and ask whether someone else can do it.
Use je peux plus an infinitive in a short spoken response and one changed version.
New pattern
je peux plus an infinitive
Practice aloud after listening
Je peux confirmer. Je peux réserver.
I can confirm. I can book.
A short French listening chapter with transcript.
Say what you can do and ask whether someone else can do it.
Read while you listen.
1. Alain · Native Speaker 1
C'est important. Imagine a bright yellow paper tag on your suitcase before a train journey.
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2. Hélène · Teacher
SNCF asks passengers to identify their luggage with a name and contact details.
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3. Alain · Native Speaker 1
C'est important.
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4. Hélène · Teacher
Oui, c'est important.
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5. Alain · Native Speaker 1
That gives staff a way to identify the owner. What if an agent asks us to check the name on this yellow tag?
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6. Hélène · Teacher
You can step in right away. Think of the word confirmation, and you get the French verb: confirmer.
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7. Alain · Native Speaker 1
We can sort out a seat reservation later. Right now I want to check the name on this bag.
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8. Hélène · Teacher
A reservation is about a place. This time the useful answer is about the name on the bag.
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9. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je peux confirmer.
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10. Hélène · Teacher
C'est normal.
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11. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Listen to that sound: the rounded vowel in peux, and then the crisp final beat in confirmer.
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12. Hélène · Teacher
Je peux confirmer.
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13. Alain · Native Speaker 1
A tiny label saves everyone from guessing. Your bag looks rather like mine, so I am glad they have names.
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14. Hélène · Teacher
Two identical bags, two different owners. Colour is no help with that problem.
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15. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Time for a quick challenge. Imagine an agent points to your tag on the rack. Say: I can confirm.
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16. Hélène · Teacher
Je peux confirmer.
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17. Alain · Native Speaker 1
The name matches. That settles which bag is mine.
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18. Hélène · Teacher
Now try a changed version. You want to tell someone you can book a seat. Say: I can reserve.
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19. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je peux réserver.
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