School rules (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
School rules
School rules are an important part of daily life in French schools, just like in British schools. Understanding how to talk about what students can and cannot do, as well as school regulations, will help you discuss educational experiences and compare different school systems.
Essential vocabulary
| French | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| arriver | to arrive | Regular -er verb |
| classe (f) | class | Feminine noun |
| cours (m) | lesson | Masculine noun |
| en retard | late | Useful phrase |
| heure (f) | hour, time | Feminine noun |
| il est interdit de | it's forbidden to | + infinitive |
| il faut | you have to/must | + infinitive |
| juste | fair | Adjective |
| manger | to eat | Regular -er verb |
| on doit | you must | + infinitive |
| on ne peut pas | you can't | + infinitive |
| on peut | you can | + infinitive |
| portable (m) | mobile phone | Masculine noun |
| porter | to wear | Regular -er verb |
| règle (f) | rule | Feminine noun |
| tard | late | Adverb |
| tôt | early | Adverb |
| uniforme scolaire (m) | school uniform | Masculine noun |
| utiliser | to use | Regular -er verb |
| établissement (m) | establishment | Masculine noun |
| règlement (m) | rule, regulation | Masculine noun |
Notice that many school-related nouns are feminine in French (la classe, la règle, l'heure), while others are masculine (le cours, le portable, l'uniforme). Learning the gender alongside the vocabulary will help you use correct articles and adjectives.
Expressing what can and cannot be done
French has several ways to express rules, obligations, and prohibitions. These structures are essential for discussing school regulations and daily routines.
Key structures
Learning these five main structures will allow you to express any rule or regulation in French. Each has its own level of formality and specific usage context.
Structure 1: Il faut + infinitive
This means "you must" or "it's necessary to" and expresses strong obligation:
- Il faut arriver à l'heure (You must arrive on time)
- Il faut suivre les règles (You must follow the rules)
- Il faut porter l'uniforme scolaire (You must wear the school uniform)
Structure 2: On peut + infinitive
This means "you can" and shows what is allowed:
- On peut utiliser les ordinateurs (You can use the computers)
- On peut manger à la cantine (You can eat in the canteen)
Structure 3: On ne peut pas + infinitive
This means "you can't" and shows what is not allowed:
- On ne peut pas manger dans les salles de classe (You can't eat in the classrooms)
- On ne peut pas utiliser son portable en cours (You can't use your mobile phone in lessons)
Structure 4: On doit + infinitive
This means "you must" and expresses obligation:
- On doit faire ses devoirs (You must do your homework)
- On doit respecter les professeurs (You must respect the teachers)
Structure 5: Il est interdit de + infinitive
This means "it's forbidden to" and is the most formal way to express prohibition:
- Il est interdit de courir dans les couloirs (It's forbidden to run in the corridors)
- Il est interdit de parler pendant les examens (It's forbidden to talk during exams)
Key Grammar Point: All these structures are followed by the infinitive form of the verb (the form ending in -er, -ir, or -re). Never use a conjugated verb after these expressions.
Example sentences with translations
Here are practical examples showing how these structures work in different tenses, helping you understand their flexibility in real conversations.
Present Tense Examples
- Dans mon école, il faut porter un uniforme (In my school, you have to wear a uniform)
- Les élèves ne peuvent pas utiliser leur portable pendant les cours (Students can't use their mobile phones during lessons)
- Il est interdit de manger en classe (It's forbidden to eat in class)
- On doit arriver avant huit heures (You must arrive before eight o'clock)
Past Tense Examples
- L'année dernière, on pouvait utiliser son portable pendant la récréation (Last year, you could use your mobile phone during break)
- Il était interdit de sortir pendant les cours (It was forbidden to leave during lessons)
- Il fallait porter l'uniforme tous les jours (You had to wear the uniform every day)
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Understanding the correct pronunciation and grammar rules will help you sound more natural when discussing school regulations.
Pronunciation guides
Pronunciation Key Points:
- règle: [REH-gluh] - Remember the 'è' makes an "eh" sound
- interdit: [an-ter-DEE] - The final 't' is silent
- établissement: [eh-ta-blees-MAHN] - The final 't' is silent
- uniforme: [oo-nee-FORM] - Stress on the final syllable
Grammar notes
Essential Grammar Rules:
- Il faut is an impersonal expression that doesn't change form
- On peut/on ne peut pas uses the verb "pouvoir" (to be able to)
- Il est interdit de is always followed by an infinitive
- Remember that on (one/you) takes the same verb form as il/elle
Translation exercises
Practice using these structures by working through these translation exercises. Check your answers against the solutions provided.
Translation Practice
French to English:
- Il est interdit de parler pendant l'examen.
- On doit respecter le règlement de l'école.
English to French: 3. You can't eat in the classroom. 4. Students must arrive on time.
Answers:
- It's forbidden to talk during the exam.
- You must respect the school rules.
- On ne peut pas manger dans la salle de classe.
- Les élèves doivent arriver à l'heure.
Key Points to Remember:
- Il faut + infinitive expresses strong obligation or necessity
- On peut/on ne peut pas shows what is and isn't allowed
- Il est interdit de is the formal way to say something is forbidden
- School vocabulary often uses feminine nouns like la règle and la classe
- Practice using these structures to discuss rules in different contexts, not just school!