French · BeginnerChoisir un cadeauBuying a Gift

Follow along

106 lines
00:00Intro
Emma, look at this big paper bag! Did you buy gifts again?
Ah, Léo! I love spoiling my friends for their birthdays.
You are so right! But finding a good idea is sometimes difficult.
Luckily, we are here to guide our listeners today.
Welcome everyone to our easy French podcast!
Today, we are going to learn six useful phrases for gifts.
The phrase of the day is: To choose a gift.
An essential phrase to give a nice surprise to your loved ones.
And we are also going to talk about good manners in France!
Here are simple customs to be a perfect guest.
So, listen carefully to our dialogue today!
Here we go for a lesson full of good cheer!
So Léo, tell me! Have you ever had trouble choosing a gift?
Oh yes, Emma! Last Saturday, I was invited to dinner at my colleague Julie's place.
What a great idea! Was it your first visit to her place?
Indeed, it was my first visit! I wanted to bring a nice present.
That is very kind! Where did you go to find this present?
I went to a home decor shop, on Saturday afternoon.
And did you easily find what you were looking for?
Not at all! I didn't know what to pick among all the items.
Was there too much choice in the aisles?
Certainly, there were candles, frames, and cushions everywhere!
And what did you buy in the end?
I bought a huge wall clock, in neon yellow metal!
A neon yellow clock? What a strange idea, Léo!
When Julie opened the package, she opened wide astonished eyes.
Did she find that color a bit too flashy?
Her apartment is very calm and all white. It was far too flashy of an object!
Poor Léo! But did she still appreciate your gesture?
Luckily, we laughed together! She said: "It's difficult to choose a gift!"
Of course! For a first dinner, there are customs in France.
What does French tradition advise to thank your host?
We often bring a box of chocolates, good tea, or a candle.
And for flowers, are there important rules?
Careful! In France, you must never give chrysanthemums.
Those flowers are reserved for cemeteries and All Saints' Day!
And we also avoid carnations, which bring bad luck according to custom.
That is valuable advice for all our listeners!
With fine chocolates, you always succeed in making someone happy.
It's the best method to choose a gift without stress!
Let's discover now our five other essential phrases.
With great pleasure! What is our second phrase?
The second phrase is: To have a good idea. In English, it's "To have a good idea".
It's the spark that helps us find the perfect surprise!
When you search for a long time, you say: "I hope to have a good idea!"
That is very useful! And what is our third phrase of the day?
The third phrase is: To wrap a gift. In English, it's "To wrap a gift".
We use this expression to wrap the item with pretty paper.
In shops, the shopkeeper asks: "Would you like to have it gift-wrapped?"
That is convenient, because the shop prepares the wrapping for free!
Let's move on now to our fourth phrase.
The fourth phrase is: To offer flowers. In English, it's "To offer flowers".
That is a thoughtful gesture to say thank you after an invitation.
For my part, I love giving fresh flowers for a nice celebration.
But choose plant varieties well, without forbidden flowers!
Of course! And what is our fifth phrase?
The fifth phrase is: To keep the receipt. In English, it's "To keep the receipt".
That is a wise precaution for a piece of clothing or a book!
One must keep the cash receipt to make an exchange in the shop.
One can also ask for a receipt without the price for the recipient.
Perfectly! And to finish, what is the sixth phrase?
The sixth phrase is: To make someone happy. In English, it's "To make someone happy".
That is the main goal of every present that we offer!
No matter the price, the goal is to bring joy with heart.
Tell me Léo, for gifts, are you Team Léo or Team Emma?
Me, I am part of Team Léo! I buy at the last minute, on instinct.
What a rush! Me, I am totally on Team Emma!
You prepare your purchases several weeks before the celebration?
Absolutely! I make a list, compare prices, and buy ribbons.
That is very orderly, but spontaneity also has its charm!
Without doubt! And now, Léo, do you want to do a little guessing game?
With joy, I love your questions about French society!
In your opinion, how many French people keep their receipt after the holidays?
Hmm, I would say forty percent of people?
It's more! I read that sixty percent of French people like to keep the receipt.
Sixty percent? That is a forward-thinking and very wise majority!
And I heard that seven out of ten French people prefer an outing over an object.
Seven out of ten? That proves the value of moments shared together!
It's time for our practice! Here are six everyday situations.
I am ready and very motivated, Emma! Give me the first example.
Situation number one. It's your mom's birthday. You say: To choose a gift.
It's simple! I say with tenderness: Today, I am going to choose a gift for her!
Situation number two. You think about a good friend. You say: To have a good idea.
Without hesitation, I exclaim with joy: I finally just had a great idea!
Situation number three. You are at the store checkout. You say: To wrap a gift.
I ask politely: Could you gift-wrap this for this birthday?
Situation number four. You are invited to neighbors' place. You say: To offer flowers.
I reply with a smile: I'll stop by the florist to offer fresh flowers!
Situation number five. You buy a sweater for your brother. You say: To keep the receipt.
In that case, I say cautiously: I will definitely keep the receipt in case of an exchange!
Situation number six. You give a package to a dear friend. You say: To make someone happy.
I say with enthusiasm: This little package is here to make you happy!
Bravo Léo! You answered perfectly in all situations!
Thanks Emma! These short phrases are easy to memorize for beginners.
We are already reaching the end of our episode on gifts.
Time flies at full speed when we learn together!
Here is the speaking challenge for our listeners today.
What is this practical mission to practice speaking?
In front of your mirror, repeat three times out loud: "I will choose a gift to make someone happy!"
Pronounce every word with confidence and a big smile!
Tell us in the comments: are you instinctive Team Léo, or prepared Team Emma?
Keep in mind Emma's advice: a candle or good chocolates!
Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Thank you all for your loyalty and great enthusiasm!
See you very soon for a new easy French conversation!
Goodbye and have a wonderful day!

Key phrases

6 to keep
Choisir un cadeauChoose a gift
Je dois choisir un cadeau pour l’anniversaire de ma sœur.I have to choose a gift for my sister's birthday.
Avoir une bonne idéeHave a good idea
J’aimerais avoir une bonne idée pour son cadeau.I'd like to have a good idea for their gift.
Faire un paquet cadeauWrap a gift
Tu peux m’aider à faire un paquet cadeau ce soir ?Can you help me wrap a gift tonight?
Offrir des fleursGive flowers
Je vais offrir des fleurs à ma grand-mère demain.I'm going to give my grandmother flowers tomorrow.
Garder le ticketKeep the receipt
Pense à garder le ticket au cas où.Remember to keep the receipt just in case.
Faire plaisirMake someone happy
Ce petit cadeau va lui faire plaisir.This little gift will make them happy.

À toi

Your turn
dire à voix haute
Today's small task

Say “Choisir un cadeau” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.Say “Choisir un cadeau” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.

cocoaChoisir un cadeau
0:0010:24