To make a simple service enquiry, greet politely, use vous, say what you want with je voudrais, and ask one clear question at a time. The same short toolkit works at a shop, a sports centre, a library or a station.
This lesson comes after explaining a change to a plan in everyday routines and arrangements. It is common in role-plays and in listening texts that record a phone call or a counter conversation.
What goes into a good enquiry?
An opening. Bonjour Madame or Bonjour Monsieur, and at the end Merci, au revoir.
A polite request. Je voudrais des renseignements sur… (I would like some information about…), Je voudrais deux billets, s’il vous plaît. Pourriez-vous me dire… (could you tell me…) is a longer polite form.
Clear questions. The most useful question words are À quelle heure (what time), Combien coûte (how much does it cost), Où (where), Quel jour (which day) and Est-ce qu’il y a… (is there…). Add Est-ce qu’il faut… (is it necessary to…) for rules.
The vous form. Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ? Avez-vous les horaires ? Remember that vous takes the -ez verb ending in most verbs, for example vous ouvrez, vous avez, vous pouvez.
Worked example
Task: you are phoning a sports centre to ask about swimming lessons for teenagers. Write what you say.
Bonjour Madame, je voudrais des renseignements sur les cours de natation pour adolescents. À quelle heure commence le cours du mercredi ? Combien coûte l’inscription ? Est-ce qu’il faut apporter un bonnet de bain ? Merci, au revoir.
Step 1, the opening: Bonjour Madame is polite and sets the tone for vous.
Step 2, the request: je voudrais des renseignements sur… says the purpose in a single sentence.
Step 3, three questions: time, cost and what to bring. Each uses a different question pattern, and each is short enough to say aloud.
Step 4, the close: Merci, au revoir finishes calmly. If you can, listen to the answer and respond to it before you ask the next question.
The mistake to watch for
A common slip is to use the friendly register with a stranger.
Mistaken answer: Salut. Je veux la natation. Tu as les horaires ?
The student had the information but used tu, je veux and no greeting.
The correction is Bonjour Madame. Je voudrais des renseignements sur la natation. Avez-vous les horaires, s’il vous plaît ?
The meaning has not changed, but the register now fits a counter. Ask yourself: would I say this to a teacher I have just met?
Check yourself
1. Make this polite: “Je veux deux billets.”
Show answer
Use the conditional and add a courtesy phrase: Je voudrais deux billets, s’il vous plaît.
2. Change to the vous form: “Tu ouvres à quelle heure ?”
Show answer
Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ? or, with inversion, À quelle heure ouvrez-vous ? Both are correct.
3. You want to join a library. Write two questions you could ask the librarian.
Show answer
Two possible questions: Combien coûte l’abonnement ? and Est-ce qu’on peut emprunter des livres en anglais ? Any two clear questions with a correct question pattern are fine.
Where this leads next
Next, combine time and reason in a short response so that your answers carry both information and explanation. When you are ready to mix the skills, use the integrated practice set.
Role-plays are easier when someone answers back. In online one-to-one French tuition, a teacher can play the receptionist or the shop assistant and let you practise live.