French A1.17 Listening Practice: Make The Whole Thought Negative
French A1 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for make the whole thought negative.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A1.17
Audio
1m 16s
Transcript
21 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Say what you do not want, know, or see.
Use ne...pas around the finite verb in a short spoken response and one changed version.
New pattern
ne...pas around the finite verb
Practice aloud after listening
Je ne le veux pas. Elle ne peut pas venir.
I do not want it. She cannot come.
A short French listening chapter with transcript.
Say what you do not want, know, or see.
Read while you listen.
1. Hélène · Teacher
Je ne veux pas. Imagine a café customer choosing water rather than an expensive bottled drink.
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2. Alain · Native Speaker 1
C'est un bon café ici, je suis prêt !
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3. Hélène · Teacher
French bars and restaurants must offer customers free drinking water on request. That does not make bottled water free.
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4. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Oui, l'eau, water, est un droit ici.
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5. Hélène · Teacher
Tu veux le café cher ?
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6. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Non, je ne veux pas.
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7. Hélène · Teacher
The small negative words surround the finite verb.
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8. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je veux. Mais ici : je ne veux pas.
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9. Hélène · Teacher
The expensive drink is still on the table. Our customer can politely refuse that particular choice.
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10. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je ne le veux pas.
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11. Hélène · Teacher
A refusal does not mean refusing the whole meal. The customer is choosing water instead.
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12. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Oui, c'est normal : je ne le veux pas.
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13. Hélène · Teacher
And a clear answer saves the waiter from guessing.
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14. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je ne veux pas. Je ne le veux pas.
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15. Hélène · Teacher
A separate negative example: your friend cannot join the café visit. Say: She cannot come.
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16. Hélène · Teacher
Elle ne peut pas venir.
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17. Hélène · Teacher
Now, tell the waiter: I do not want it.
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18. Hélène · Teacher
Je ne le veux pas.
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19. Alain · Native Speaker 1
Je veux l'eau, pas le café cher.
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20. Hélène · Teacher
Et pour l'eau ?
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21. Alain · Native Speaker 1
L'eau ? Oui, je veux l'eau.
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