Arranging to go out (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Arranging to go out
Essential vocabulary for going out
Learning the right vocabulary is essential for making plans with French speakers. The following tables contain the most common words you'll need when arranging to go out.
Pay attention to the gender markers (m) for masculine and (f) for feminine - these will help you use the correct articles (le/la/un/une).
Places to visit
| French | English |
|---|---|
| centre commercial (m) | shopping centre |
| château (m) | castle |
| cinéma (m) | cinema |
| musée (m) | museum |
| parc (m) | park |
| piscine (f) | swimming pool |
| plage (f) | beach |
| stade (m) | stadium |
| ville (f) | town |
Activities and descriptions
| French | English |
|---|---|
| inviter | to invite |
| rencontrer | to meet (up) |
| sortie (f) | outing |
| sortir | to go out |
| disponible | available |
| foule (f) | crowd |
| pièce (f) | play |
Example sentences in context
Here are practical examples showing how to use this vocabulary in real conversations:
Practical Usage Examples
- Je veux aller au cinéma ce soir. (I want to go to the cinema tonight.)
- Tu es disponible pour sortir demain? (Are you available to go out tomorrow?)
- On peut se rencontrer au parc. (We can meet at the park.)
- Il y a une grande foule à la plage. (There's a big crowd at the beach.)
Asking questions in French
When arranging to go out, you need to know different ways to ask questions in French. There are four main methods, each with different levels of formality and usage.
Method 1: Using est-ce que
Est-ce que is the most common and easiest way to form questions. Add est-ce que to the start of any statement to make it a question.
Est-ce que is the safest method for beginners - it works in all situations and is never incorrect!
- Est-ce que tu veux aller en ville? (Do you want to go into town?)
Method 2: Voice inflexion
Use your voice to show you're asking a question by going up in tone at the end. This is the most casual method.
- Tu veux aller en ville? (Do you want to go into town?)
Method 3: Using si on va...?
Use si on va...? to suggest doing something together. This phrase means "shall we go...?" and is perfect for making suggestions.
- Si on va au stade? (Shall we go to the stadium?)
Method 4: Verb and noun inversion
Reverse the verb and noun, add a hyphen, and raise your tone at the end. This is the most formal method.
- Veux-tu sortir demain? (Do you want to go out tomorrow?)
Ways to respond
Knowing how to respond appropriately is just as important as asking questions. Here are the most useful phrases for accepting and declining invitations.
Accepting invitations
When you want to accept an invitation, use these enthusiastic responses:
- Oui je veux bien! (Yes, I'd love to!)
- Oui bien sûr! (Yes, of course!)
Declining invitations politely
When you need to decline, always start with Je suis désolé(e) (I'm sorry) to be polite:
- Je suis désolé(e), je ne peux pas venir parce que... (I'm sorry, I can't come because...)
Use Il me faut (I have to) to give your reasons:
- Il me faut faire mes devoirs. (I have to do my homework.)
- Il me faut aller voir ma tante. (I have to visit my aunt.)
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these translation exercises:
Translation Practice
French to English
- Tu veux aller à la piscine ce soir?
- Je suis désolé, il me faut faire mes devoirs.
English to French
- Do you want to go to the cinema?
- Yes, of course!
Answers
- Do you want to go to the swimming pool tonight?
- I'm sorry, I have to do my homework.
- Est-ce que tu veux aller au cinéma? / Tu veux aller au cinéma?
- Oui bien sûr!
Pronunciation tip
Remember that in French, you can often say on instead of nous (we) in casual conversation. This makes speaking more natural and easier, especially when making suggestions like "On va au cinéma?" (Shall we go to the cinema?).
Exam guidance
In listening exercises, developing good listening strategies will improve your performance significantly.
Key listening points to focus on:
- Question words and phrases (est-ce que, si on va, comment, où, quand)
- Time expressions (ce soir, demain, cet après-midi)
- Places mentioned (use your vocabulary knowledge)
- Whether the response is positive or negative (listen for oui/non, désolé)
Key Points to Remember:
- Est-ce que is the easiest way to form questions - just add it to the beginning
- Use your voice to show you're asking a question by going up in tone
- Si on va...? means "Shall we go...?" and is great for making suggestions
- Always be polite when declining - use Je suis désolé(e) (I'm sorry)
- Learn excuse phrases with Il me faut (I have to) for giving reasons
- Practice both accepting and declining invitations to sound natural