Lift Talk in a French Apartment Block
Floors, holding doors, breakdowns and small talk with neighbours in the lift of a French apartment building.
In France the ground floor is le rez-de-chaussée (RDC on the buttons) and 'le premier étage' is the first floor up, so floor numbers are one lower than in North America. Lifts in older Paris buildings can be tiny, sometimes room for two people, and many blocks have a gardien or gardienne (caretaker) and a syndic (managing agent) to call when the lift breaks down. Neighbours say vous to each other, and a simple 'Bonjour' when you step into a lift is expected.
- 1
Vous montez ?
Are you going up?
- 2
Quel étage ?
Which floor?
- 3
Au troisième, s'il vous plaît.
Third floor, please.
- 4
Vous pouvez me tenir la porte ?
Could you hold the door for me?
- 5
Il y a de la place pour une personne de plus ?
Is there room for one more?
- 6
Allez-y, je prends le suivant.
Go ahead, I'll take the next one.
- 7
L'ascenseur est en panne.
The lift is out of order.
- 8
Il va falloir prendre l'escalier.
We'll have to take the stairs.
- 9
L'ascenseur est bloqué.
The lift is stuck.
- 10
Appuyez sur le bouton d'alarme.
Press the alarm button.
- 11
Ne vous inquiétez pas, le technicien arrive bientôt.
Don't worry, the technician will be here soon.
- 12
Je suis un peu claustrophobe.
I'm a bit claustrophobic.
- 13
Je descends au rez-de-chaussée.
I'm going down to the ground floor.
- 14
Pardon, je peux sortir ?
Excuse me, can I get out?
- 15
Bonne journée !
Have a nice day!
- 16
Vous venez d'emménager ?
Have you just moved in?
- 17
J'habite au troisième, porte de gauche.
I live on the third floor, the door on the left.
- 18
J'appuie sur quel bouton ?
Which button do I press?
- 19
C'est un peu juste avec la poussette.
It's a bit tight with the pushchair.
- 20
Je vais prévenir la gardienne.
I'll let the caretaker know.