French · Intermediate (B1) · Chapter 4 of 12
Feelings and relationships
Sentiments et relations
React to news and talk about feelings with the subjunctive (je suis triste que tu partes), say “each other” and give a friend advice.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- React to good and bad news
- Express feelings with que + subjunctive or de + infinitive
- Say “each other” with reciprocal verbs
- Give a friend advice with tu devrais
Listen
In a café in Tours, Clara tells her friend Sofiane some big news. They also talk about her boyfriend, Florian. Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Clara
Sofiane, j'ai une grande nouvelle : je vais vivre à Montréal. Je pars en septembre.
Sofiane, I've got big news: I'm going to live in Montréal. I'm leaving in September.
Sofiane
À Montréal ? C'est vrai ? Je suis vraiment surpris que tu partes si loin.
In Montréal? Really? I'm really surprised that you're going so far away.
Clara
Oui, j'ai trouvé un travail dans une grande agence. Je suis très contente.
Yes, I've found a job with a big agency. I'm very happy.
Sofiane
Je suis content pour toi, mais je suis triste que tu ne sois plus là.
I'm happy for you, but I'm sad that you won't be here any more.
Clara
Moi aussi, je suis triste de partir. Mais on s'appellera souvent, d'accord ?
I'm sad to leave too. But we'll call each other often, OK?
Sofiane
Bien sûr. Et Florian, il vient avec toi ?
Of course. And Florian, is he coming with you?
Clara
Non, il ne peut pas quitter son travail. J'ai peur qu'on se dispute à cause de la distance.
No, he can't leave his job. I'm afraid we'll argue because of the distance.
Sofiane
Mais vous vous entendez très bien, tous les deux. Et vous vous parlerez tous les jours.
But you two get on really well. And you'll talk to each other every day.
Clara
Oui, mais il est un peu inquiet, et ça m'inquiète aussi.
Yes, but he's a bit worried, and that worries me too.
Sofiane
Tu devrais lui parler franchement. Il pourra peut-être venir te voir en décembre ?
You should talk to him openly. Maybe he can come and see you in December?
Clara
Oui, c'est une bonne idée. Et toi aussi, tu viendras ?
Yes, that's a good idea. And you'll come too?
Sofiane
Avec plaisir. C'est dommage que tu partes, mais je suis fier de toi.
With pleasure. It's a shame you're leaving, but I'm proud of you.
Understand
Feelings + que + subjunctive
When you say how you feel about what someone else does, use a feeling + + the subjunctive: , , , (I'm afraid that), (it's a shame that).
If the person who feels is also the person who acts, use + infinitive instead: (I'm sad to leave), never .
The subjunctive has no future tense: can mean “that you're leaving” or “that you'll leave”.
| Feeling | Someone else: + subjunctive | The same person: + infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| être content(e) | ||
| / |
Each other: reciprocal verbs
With a plural subject (, , , , or meaning “we”), a reflexive verb can mean “each other”: (we call each other), (you talk to each other), (they see each other).
Some of these verbs are best learnt as phrases: (to get on well), (to argue). Like all reflexive verbs, they take in the passé composé: But when the verb takes before the person (, ), the participle doesn't agree:
- On s'appellera tous les jours.We'll call each other every day.
- Vous vous entendez bien.You get on well.
- Ils se sont disputés hier soir.They argued last night.
- Elles se voient tous les samedis.They see each other every Saturday.
Advice and comfort
To give a friend advice, use + infinitive (you should). With , say . These are forms of that you'll learn properly in the next chapter. They are softer than (you must).
To comfort someone, say (don't worry) or (it'll be fine). means “I'm happy for you”.
- Tu devrais lui parler.You should talk to him.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, ça va aller.Don't worry, it'll be fine.
More in the grammar: The conditional: je voudrais, si j'avais… · The subjunctive: que je sois, que tu fasses
New words
- la nouvellepiece of news · : good news
- vivreto live ·
- vraimentreally
- surpris / surprisesurprised
- content / contentehappy, pleased · : happy for you
- tristesad
- avoir peurto be afraid · + subjunctive
- se disputerto argue
- à cause debecause of
- s'entendre biento get on well
- inquiet / inquièteworried · : that worries me
- tu devraisyou should · with
- c'est dommage queit's a shame that · + subjunctive
- fier / fièreproud · : proud of you
Practise
1.“I'm sad that you're leaving.” Which sentence is correct?
2.Complete with the subjunctive of .
I'm glad you're coming in December.
3.“I'm happy to leave.” (The same person is happy and leaves.)
4.Complete with the futur simple of : “We'll call each other often.”
We'll call each other often.
5.Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.You should talk to him openly.
6.Match the French with the English.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
Je suis content pour toi.
I'm happy for you.
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.