Building a Shelf, French DIY Style
Buy wood at the DIY store, get it cut to size and build a shelf with the tools and words French DIY fans use.
Bricolage, DIY, is a national hobby in France, and big stores like Leroy Merlin and Castorama sell wood, screws and tools and will cut boards to your measurements at the « découpe » counter. Many towns also have shared workshops and tool libraries where you can borrow a drill. Staff in store use vous; a neighbour lending a hand will quickly use tu.
- 1
Je veux fabriquer une étagère.
I want to build a shelf.
- 2
Où est le rayon bois ?
Where is the wood section?
- 3
Vous pouvez me couper cette planche ?
Could you cut this board for me?
- 4
Quatre-vingts centimètres de long, s'il vous plaît.
Eighty centimetres long, please.
- 5
Il me faut quelles vis ?
Which screws do I need?
- 6
T'as une perceuse ?
Have you got a drill?
- 7
Tu peux me prêter ton tournevis ?
Can you lend me your screwdriver?
- 8
Passe-moi le marteau.
Pass me the hammer.
- 9
Il faut d'abord mesurer.
We need to measure first.
- 10
Tiens-la bien droite.
Hold it straight.
- 11
C'est pas droit.
It's not level.
- 12
Je vais poncer les bords.
I'm going to sand the edges.
- 13
Attention aux doigts !
Mind your fingers!
- 14
Mets tes lunettes de protection.
Put your goggles on.
- 15
Quel bazar, y a de la sciure partout !
What a mess, there's sawdust everywhere!
- 16
Du chêne ou du pin ?
Oak or pine?
- 17
Je la vernis demain.
I'll varnish it tomorrow.
- 18
Je suis pas très bricoleur.
I'm not very good at DIY.
- 19
Tu l'as fait toi-même ?
You did it yourself?
- 20
J'en suis fier.
I'm proud of it.