Where to stay (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Where to stay
This revision note covers essential French vocabulary and phrases for discussing accommodation and places to stay during holidays. You'll learn how to talk about different types of accommodation, use time markers effectively, and handle common hotel situations.
Useful vocabulary
| French | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| le logement | accommodation | (m) |
| l'appartement | flat | (m) |
| le camping | camping | (m) |
| la chambre | room/bedroom | (f) |
| complet/complète | full | |
| le déjeuner | lunch | (m) |
| le départ | departure | (m) |
| dormir | to sleep | |
| la fenêtre | window | (f) |
| l'hôtel | hotel | (m) |
| libre | free, available | |
| le petit-déjeuner | breakfast | (m) |
| le repas | meal | (m) |
| l'addition | bill | (f) |
| inclus(e) | included | |
| la météo | weather forecast | (f) |
Learning Strategy: Notice the gender patterns in accommodation vocabulary. Words ending in -ment are typically masculine (le logement, l'appartement), while many room-related words like la chambre are feminine.
Time markers and tenses
Understanding when things happen is crucial when discussing holidays and accommodation. French uses specific time markers to indicate different time periods, and these work with different tenses.
Present tense
Use these expressions to talk about what usually happens or what you always do:
- toujours (always)
- normalement (normally)
Example: Present Tense Usage
Je passe toujours mes vacances dans un hôtel. (I always spend my holidays in a hotel.)
This shows how toujours combines with present tense to express habitual actions.
Past tense
When talking about what happened before, these expressions are helpful:
- l'été dernier (last summer)
- il y a deux semaines (two weeks ago)
Example: Past Tense Usage
L'été dernier, j'ai fait du camping. (Last summer, I went camping.)
Notice how l'été dernier requires the past tense j'ai fait.
Future tense
For discussing future plans, use these time markers:
- l'année prochaine (next year)
- dans trois semaines (in three weeks' time)
Example: Future Tense Usage
L'année prochaine, je vais passer une semaine dans un appartement. (Next year I'm going to spend a week in a flat.)
Here l'année prochaine works with the future tense je vais passer.
At the hotel
When staying in hotels, you'll encounter various situations that require specific vocabulary. Here are essential phrases organised by common scenarios you might face.
Checking availability
When you need to find out if rooms are available:
- Avez-vous une chambre libre? (Do you have a room available?)
Reporting problems
If something isn't working in your room:
- La télé dans ma chambre ne marche pas. (The TV in my room doesn't work.)
Asking about location
To find out where your room is located:
- Ma chambre est au premier étage. (My room is on the first floor.)
Discussing length of stay
When explaining how long you're staying:
- Je vais passer une semaine ici. (I'm spending a week here.)
Giving opinions
To express what you think about the accommodation:
- C'est très intéressant. (It's very interesting.)
Asking questions
When you need information about facilities:
- Le petit-déjeuner est inclus? (Is breakfast included?)
- Où est le restaurant? (Where is the restaurant?)
Hotel Conversation Example
Guest: Avez-vous une chambre libre? (Do you have a room available?)
Receptionist: Oui, nous avons une chambre au deuxième étage. (Yes, we have a room on the second floor.)
Guest: Le petit-déjeuner est inclus? (Is breakfast included?)
Receptionist: Oui, c'est inclus dans le prix. (Yes, it's included in the price.)
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Essential Grammar Points
Gender patterns: Notice that most accommodation words ending in -ment are masculine (le logement, l'appartement), while chambre and fenêtre are feminine.
Pronunciation: The silent 's' in 'toujours' - pronounce it as "too-ZHOOR". Remember that 'hôtel' has a silent 'h' and sounds like "oh-TELL".
Tense formation: When using the past tense with 'faire' (to do/make), remember it becomes 'j'ai fait' (I did/made). This is useful for saying 'j'ai fait du camping' (I went camping).
Translation practice
Translation Exercise
French to English
- Je crois que les vacances sont très importantes.
- On choisit toujours un hôtel cher.
English to French 3. Last year we spent very interesting days in Tunisia. 4. My brother is going to do a world tour in the future.
Answers
- I think that holidays are very important.
- We always choose an expensive hotel.
- L'année dernière nous avons passé des jours très intéressants en Tunisie.
- Mon frère va faire un tour du monde à l'avenir.
Key Points to Remember:
- Accommodation vocabulary includes both masculine words (le logement, l'hôtel) and feminine words (la chambre, l'addition)
- Time markers help you structure when things happen - learn the key ones for present (toujours), past (l'été dernier), and future (l'année prochaine)
- Hotel phrases cover essential situations like checking availability, reporting problems, and asking about services
- Tense consistency is important - match your time markers with the correct verb tenses
- Practice regularly with translation exercises to build confidence in using accommodation vocabulary in context