Chapter 16: Finding a Place to Stay 271

would call down to the desk and say Il nous faut. . . . (eel nooh foh. . . .) (We need. . . .) and add the articles from the following list, as appropriate:

une/des couverture(s) (ewn/dey kooh-vehr-tewr) (a blanket/blankets)

un/des oreiller(s) (uhN/dey-zoh-reh-yey) (a pillow/pillows)

une/des serviette(s) (ewn/dey sehr-vee-eht) (a towel/towels)

des cintres (dey sahN-truh) (hangers)

une/des ampoule(s) (ewn/dey-zahN-poohl) (a light bulb/light bulbs)

du savon (dew sah-vohN) (soap)

du papier hygiénique/de toilette (dew pah-pyey ee-zhee-ey-neek/duh twah-leht) (toilet paper)

In Chapter 7, we discuss the impersonal expression il faut (eel foh) (it is necessary) followed by the infinitive. However, you can personalize this construction by adding an indirect object pronoun of your choice in front of the verb: me (muh) (to me), te (tuh) (to you), lui (lwee) (to him/to her), nous (nooh) (to us), vous (vooh) (to you), and leur (luhr) (to them). (Check out the indirect object pronouns in Chapter 13.) Look at the following examples but note that you cannot translate these examples literally:

Il me faut des serviettes. (eel muh foh dey sehr-vee-eht.) (I need towels.)

Il nous faut du savon. (eel nooh foh dew sah-vohN.) (We need soap.)

Checking Out of a Hotel

For whatever reason, the checkout time is hardly ever convenient, but you probably realize that rooms have to be cleaned before the next guest arrives. Of course, before leaving, you have to pay your bill or at least verify it to see whether you have accrued any additional charges during your stay. The following phrases can come in handy when it’s time to check out:

À quelle heure faut-il libérer la chambre? (ah kehl uhr foh-teel lee-bey- rey lah shahN-bruh?) (At what time do I/we have to check out?)

Ces frais supplémentaires sont corrects/incorrects. (sey freh sew-pley- mahN-tehr sohN koh-rehkt/aN-koh-rehkt.) (These additional charges are correct/incorrect.)

J’ai une question en ce qui concerne la note. (zhey ewn kehs-tyohN ahN skee kohN-sehrn lah nohht.) (I have a question regarding the bill.)

Je voudrais un reçu. (zhuh vooh-dreh uhN ruh-sew.) (I’d like a receipt.)

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272 Part III: French on the Go

You may have to remove your belongings from your room before you’re ready to depart from your location. Fortunately, many hotels allow you to leave your luggage in the lobby or some other place until you leave. To find out whether your hotel offers this service, ask Je peux laisser mes bagages ici jusqu’à . . . .?

(zhuh puh ley-sey mey bah-gahzh ee-see zhews-kah. . .?) (Can I leave my luggage here until. . . ?)

Talkin’ the Talk

Judy Cole’s plane is leaving in the evening. So she wants to spend her last day in town and get the luggage later. (Track 20)

Judy: À quelle heure faut-il libérer la chambre?

ah kehl uhr foh-teel lee-bey-rey lah shahN-bruh?

At what time do we have to vacate the room (check out)?

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Words to Know

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274 Part III: French on the Go

There seems to be a mistake on your hotel bill, so you are going over the details with the desk clerk. You had a room for two with twin beds and a bathtub, on the second floor, facing the street, for two nights. Correct him as needed by circling the correct response and clarifying any answers as needed.

L’employé: Je vérifie. Une chambre double?

A.You: Oui/Non. _________________________

L’employé: Avec douche?

B.You: Oui/Non. ________________________

L’employé: Au rez-de-chaussée?

C.You: Oui/Non. _________________________

L’employé: Côté rue?

D.You: Oui/Non. ______________________

L’employé: Pour trois nuits?

E.You: Oui/Non. _______________________

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