Learn how to ride the train in France
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| INTRODUCTION |
| In France, riding the rails is one of the best way to get around, not only locally but also for long-distance destination. In fact, traveling by train is one of the best ways to see everything France has to offer. |
| GRAMMAR POINT |
| In France, one can buy train tickets at the ticket gate window, a vending machine, on the internet, and on the train, though this last option is more expensive. When traveling long distances, there are several types of tickets, which we'll take a look at in a minute, but first, let's work on asking for the ticket. We can accomplish this by asking "Ticket to (destination), please." Now, of course, we need a destination. So let's use Dijon. |
| Let’s say the city name one more time: Dijon |
| This city is located in the eastern part of France and is well known for its mustard. |
| So to ask for one ticket to Dijon in French, we say Un billet pour Dijon SVP, "One ticket to Dijon, please." |
| Un billet pour Dijon SVP |
| Now let's hear it once again: Un billet pour Dijon SVP |
| The first word, un, means "a." |
| Un |
| Un |
| And, un |
| It is followed by billet, which in English means "ticket." |
| Billet |
| Billet |
| And, billet. |
| So to recap here, we have un billet. Literally, this means "a ticket." |
| Let’s take a look at the next word, which is pour, which means "for." |
| Pour |
| And, pour. |
| This followed by Dijon, our destination. Lastly, we have SVP. |
| So all together, we have Un billet pour Dijon, SVP. Literally, this means "One ticket for Dijon, please." |
| Now if you want to buy more than one ticket-for example, if you wanted to buy two tickets-you can accomplish this by saying Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Now let's hear it once again: Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Notice that we simply substitute un with deux. |
| However, just the destination may not be enough, as there are several types of seats on trains in France. There are first-class seats and second-class seats. |
| Once we have established the destination, it is time to select the type of seat you want. |
| In French, "first class" is première classe. |
| première classe |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: première classe |
| Now here it is once again: première classe |
| The first word, première, means "first." |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: Première |
| première |
| It is followed by classe, which in French is "class." |
| Classe |
| Classe |
| And, classe |
| So all together, we have première classe. Literally, this means "first class." |
| "Second class" is seconde classe. |
| seconde classe |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: seconde classe |
| Now let's hear it once again: seconde classe |
| The first word, seconde, means "second." |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: seconde |
| seconde |
| It is followed by classe, which in French is "class," as we have just learned. |
| The difference between first and second class in French train is not that big compared to the price difference. If you would like to economize, second class is quite good, especially now that France has high speed trains to most destinations and the trips are so short. It can take less than 4 hours to cross the entire country. |
| Sleeper trains, however, do offer substantial differences in quality based on what class you reserve in, so be sure to study up on all the options before you make a decision. |
Outro |
|---|
| Okay, to close out this lesson, we'd like you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for shouting it aloud. You have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so bonne chance, that means “good luck” in French. Ok, here we go! |
| “One ticket for Dijon, please.” - Un billet pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Un billet pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Un billet pour Dijon, SVP. |
| “Two tickets for Dijon, please.” - Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| Deux billets pour Dijon, SVP. |
| This is the end of today’s lesson. See you soon! À bientôt! |
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