Learning French: vocabulary to use at the post office in France
Practise key post-office phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
We take a sneak peek at phrases to use at the post office in France, as featured in the Little Language School’s online French course
Henry Saint John / Shutterstock, Little Language School
If you ever need to send a parcel or a postcard while in France, you may have to pay a visit to a French post office (bureau de poste).
La Poste can be recognised by its abstract blue bird logo, usually on a bright yellow background - and do not forget that postboxes in France are yellow.
We take a sneak peek at some basic French post-themed phrases and exercises featured in the Little Language School’s online course.
Helpful vocabulary exercise
Here are some key terms and phrases that could come in handy when visiting a French post office:
Une lettre - A letter
Un colis - A parcel
Une carte postale - A postcard
Un timbre - A stamp
Je peux envoyer cette lettre en Angleterre ? - Can I send this letter to England?
En recommandé ? - By recorded delivery?
Avec avis de réception ? - With notification of it being signed for?
Je peux envoyer ce colis au Royaume-Uni ? - Can I send this parcel to the UK?
Suivi ? - With tracking?
Je peux retirer un colis ? - Can I collect a parcel?
Vous avez un code ? - Do you have a code?
Votre nom et une pièce d'identité s’il vous plaît. - Your name and ID please?
Je peux avoir un carnet de timbres s’il vous plaît ? - Can I have a book of stamps please?
Vous voulez un carnet de six ou de 12 ? - Would you like a book of six or 12?
Why not click onto the French Post Office site and explore. You will see lots of the vocab we have covered.
Whilst you are at the post office, take some time to listen and watch other people. There are also lots of notices in the post office. How many can you understand? You might like to take a photo of it on your phone and work it out later.
Put yourself to the test: You will need a piece of card or paper - any colour will do. Write the vocab in two columns. Now place the paper/card on top of the vocabulary - anywhere you like - and try to recall what is covered up! Speak out loud. You could cover all the French or just half of the words.
Read also: Why La Poste is removing yellow post boxes across France
It's an excellent way to learn vocabulary. If you are really brave you might like to record yourself saying the French and then the English with a slight gap between each phrase – that way you can listen, repeat and test yourself - when walking the dog for example.
Going to the post office
This poor person cannot get their phrases right – a horrible franglais mixture! Could you say all the phrases in English and then in French – without looking at your vocabulary?
Read also: You can now recycle old eyeglasses at many La Poste branches in France
1. Je peux envoyer this letter en Italy, avec avis de receipt please ?
Click to show answer
A) Solution: Je peux envoyer cette lettre en Italie, avec avis de réception s’il vous plaît ?
2. Je peux send ce parcel aux United-States ?
Click to show answer
A) Solution: Je peux envoyer ce colis aux Etats-Unis ?
3. Je peux collect un parcel, please ?
Click to show answer
A) Solution: Je peux retirer un colis s’il vous plaît ?
4. Je peux avoir a book of six stamps, please ?
Click to show answer
A) Solution: Je peux avoir un carnet de six timbres s’il vous plaît ?
This lesson is an extract from Module 5 of the Little Language School online French course. These exercises are intended for use alongside a selection of explanatory videos.
Learn simple practical French with this digital course for beginners. Connexion readers can save €60 with this partner offer.
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Learning French: how to tell the time in France
