French for the Repair Café: Asking If a Replacement Part Is Still Available
Learn polite, tentative French questions to ask whether a spare part exists or can be ordered, without assuming shop policy.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
At a repair café in France, you often need a specific replacement part: a knob for an old coffee maker, a belt for a turntable, a seal for a pressure cooker. You do not want to sound demanding or assume the volunteer has it in stock. This lesson teaches you how to ask, in polite and tentative French, whether a part is still available or can be ordered. The key is to use soft question forms and phrases like 'Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?' and 'on peut la commander ?' while showing awareness that the item may be old. You will practice a short dialogue and learn to avoid common mistakes, such as translating 'available' literally or using overly direct questions.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a specific replacement part is still available in French.
- ask if a part can be ordered without assuming the shop or repair café will do it.
- describe an item as an old model to explain why the part might be hard to find.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?
Does this part still exist?
ess-kuh set pyess eg-zeest ahn-kor
Use this when you have the old part in hand or a clear reference. It is neutral and polite, and 'encore' signals you know it might be discontinued.
On peut la commander ?
Can we order it?
ohn puh lah koh-mahn-day
This uses 'on' as a gentle 'we' and asks about possibility without demanding. It is common in France and avoids the more direct 'Pouvez-vous la commander ?'.
C'est un modèle ancien.
It's an old model.
say tuhn moh-del ahn-syen
Say this to explain why the part may be scarce. It prepares the listener and invites advice rather than a simple yes or no.
Vous auriez peut-être une piste ?
Would you perhaps have a lead?
voo zoh-ryay puh-tet ewn peest
Use this if the volunteer does not have the part. It asks for suggestions, not a guarantee, and keeps the tone collaborative.
Je ne voudrais pas abuser, mais est-ce que vous savez où je pourrais en trouver ?
I don't want to impose, but do you know where I could find one?
zhuh nuh voo-dreh pah ah-boo-zay, may ess-kuh voo sah-vay oo zhuh poo-reh ahn troo-vay
A longer, very polite formula for when you need to ask for a source. It softens the request and shows respect for the volunteer's time.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Est-ce que + subject + verb + encore ?' is a simple way to ask if something still exists or is still done. For example: 'Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?' (Does this part still exist?) or 'Est-ce que vous avez encore ce modèle ?' (Do you still have this model?). The word 'encore' is crucial: it shows you expect the answer might be no. To ask about ordering, use 'On peut + infinitive ?' as in 'On peut la commander ?' (Can we order it?). This is softer than 'Pouvez-vous la commander ?' because it does not put the other person on the spot. You can also use 'Il est possible de + infinitive' for a more formal tone: 'Il est possible de la commander ?' Both are correct; 'on peut' is more conversational.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a repair café or a small shop and you have a broken appliance or a part in hand. Start with a greeting: 'Bonjour, excusez-moi de vous déranger.' Then show the part and say 'C'est un modèle ancien' to explain why you are asking. After that, ask 'Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?' If the answer is no, follow with 'On peut la commander ?' or 'Vous auriez peut-être une piste ?' Avoid asking 'C'est disponible ?' as a direct translation of 'Is it available?'—it sounds like you are asking about a hotel room or a product on a shelf. For a part, 'existe encore' or 'est encore disponible' is more natural. If you need to be very polite, use the conditional: 'Je voudrais savoir si...' (I would like to know if...).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, excusez-moi de vous déranger. J'ai un vieux robot ménager et il me manque le couvercle du bol.
Hello, sorry to bother you. I have an old food processor and I'm missing the lid of the bowl.bohn-zhoor, ex-koo-zay mwah duh voo day-rahn-zhay. zhay uhn vyuh roh-boh may-na-zhay ay eel muh mahnk luh koo-ver-sel duh bolBonjour. Montrez-moi ça. Ah, c'est un modèle ancien, en effet. Est-ce que vous avez la référence ?
Hello. Show me that. Ah, it is an old model indeed. Do you have the reference number?bohn-zhoor. mohn-tray-mwah sah. ah, say tuhn moh-del ahn-syen, ahn eh-fay. ess-kuh voo zah-vay lah ray-fay-rahnsNon, je ne l'ai pas. Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?
No, I don't have it. Does this part still exist?nohn, zhuh nuh lay pah. ess-kuh set pyess eg-zeest ahn-korJe ne pense pas en stock, mais on peut peut-être la commander. Je vais vérifier.
I don't think so in stock, but maybe we can order it. I'll check.zhuh nuh pahns pah ahn stok, may ohn puh puh-tet lah koh-mahn-day. zhuh vay vay-ree-fyayA little context goes a long way
In France, politeness at a repair café often includes a brief apology for taking time ('excusez-moi de vous déranger') and using 'vous' with volunteers you don't know. The conditional ('je voudrais', 'vous auriez') softens requests. Avoid direct translations like 'Est-ce que c'est disponible ?' for a part; it sounds like you are asking about a room or a product in stock. Instead, use 'existe encore' or 'est encore disponible'. Also, repair cafés are volunteer-run and may not have ordering policies; ask 'On peut la commander ?' as a question, not an assumption.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'Is it available?' as 'Est-ce que c'est disponible ?' when asking about a specific replacement part.
Try this instead: For a part, say 'Est-ce que cette pièce est encore disponible ?' or 'Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?'. 'C'est disponible ?' is better for a service or a room, e.g., 'Est-ce que la salle est disponible ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a volunteer if a specific part still exists, using 'encore'?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?
This uses the 'Est-ce que' question form and 'encore' to show you know it might be discontinued. You could also say 'Est-ce que cette pièce est encore disponible ?' which is equally correct.
2You want to ask if the part can be ordered, but without demanding. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
On peut la commander ?
This uses 'on' as a soft 'we' and asks about possibility. 'Est-ce qu'on peut la commander ?' is also fine. Avoid 'Pouvez-vous la commander ?' unless you are sure the person has the authority.
3How do you explain that your appliance is an old model, to prepare the volunteer?
Show a sample answer
C'est un modèle ancien.
This simple sentence sets the context. You could add 'malheureusement' for a touch of regret: 'C'est malheureusement un modèle ancien.'
Ask politely with 'Est-ce que cette pièce existe encore ?' and 'On peut la commander ?', and always mention 'C'est un modèle ancien' to explain why the part may be hard to find. Avoid direct translations of 'available' and use the conditional for extra politeness.
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