French Communication: Permissions, Obligations, Chores, and Excuses

Vocabulary flashcards covering French phrases for asking and granting permission, expressing obligation with devoir and il faut que, household chore vocabulary, and reproaching or justifying actions.

Tu veux bien que je sorte?

Is it OK with you if I go out? (used to ask for permission)

Ça te dérange si…?

Do you mind if . . . ? (used to ask for permission)

Ça va pour cette fois.

OK, just this once. (used to grant permission)

Tu n'as pas le droit de…

You're not allowed to . . . (used to refuse permission)

Il faut que tu…

You have to . . . (used to express obligation)

devoir

An irregular verb meaning 'must' or 'to have to'

dû

The past participle of the verb devoir

Tu devrais

You should (a form of the verb devoir)

dises la vérité

tell the truth

manges mieux

eat better

respectes tes profs et tes parents

respect your teachers and your parents

aides les personnes âgées

help elderly people

partages tes affaires

share your things

prennes tes propres décisions

make up your own mind

conduises prudemment

drive safely

sois attentionné(e)

be considerate

sois prudent(e)

be careful/aware

sois plus responsable

be more responsible

sois tolérant(e)

be tolerant

sois poli(e)

be polite

enlever la neige

to shovel or remove snow

laver les vitres

to wash the windows

faire la lessive

to do the laundry

faire la poussière

to dust

nettoyer le parquet

to clean the hardwood floor

faire le repassage

to do the ironing

arroser le jardin

to water the garden

tondre la pelouse

to mow the lawn

ramasser les feuilles

to rake leaves

sortir le chien

to walk or take out the dog

débarrasser la table

to clear the table

donner à manger au chat

to feed the cat

faire la cuisine

to cook

faire la vaisselle

to do the dishes

faire son lit

to make one's bed

garder les enfants

to babysit or look after the children

mettre la table

to set the table

nettoyer la salle de bains

to clean the bathroom

passer l'aspirateur

to vacuum

Vous (ne) devriez (pas)…

You should(n't) . . . (used to reproach someone)

Tu as tort de…

You're wrong to . . . (used to reproach someone)

Ce n'est pas bien de…

It's not good to . . . (used to reproach someone)

Tu ferais bien de ne pas…

You'd do well not to . . . (used to reproach someone)

Je suis quand même libre, non?

I'm free, aren't I? (used to justify your actions)

Tout le monde fait pareil.

Everybody does it. (used to justify your actions)

Je ne suis pas le/la seul(e) à…

I'm not the only one who . . . (used to justify your actions)

Pense aux autres.

Think about other people. (used to reject others' excuses)

Ce n'est pas une raison.

That's no reason. (used to reject others' excuses)

Ce n'est pas parce que tout le monde le fait que tu dois le faire.

Just because everyone does it doesn't mean you have to do it (used to reject others' excuses)