French for Describing a Problem and Proposing a Solution
Learn intermediate French phrases to name an issue and suggest a practical fix, using structures like 'Le problème, c'est que...' and 'On pourrait...'.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, you already know how to describe what is happening and why. This lesson focuses on the next conversational move: naming a problem clearly and putting a realistic solution on the table. In French, this is often done with fixed frames such as 'Le problème, c'est que...' (The problem is that...) and 'On pourrait...' (We could...). You will practise choosing between definite and indefinite articles, using the conditional for polite suggestions, and softening disagreement so that a proposal sounds collaborative rather than bossy.
By the end, you can…
- name a problem clearly using 'Le problème, c'est que...' or 'Il y a un souci avec...'
- propose one or more solutions with 'On pourrait...', 'Une solution serait de...' or 'Il faudrait...'
- respond to someone else's proposal by agreeing, asking a follow-up question or suggesting an alternative
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Le problème, c'est qu'il y a trop de circulation devant l'école.
The problem is that there is too much traffic in front of the school.
luh proh-BLEM say keel yah troh duh seer-koo-lah-SYON duh-vahn lay-KOL
A very common spoken frame. 'Le problème, c'est que...' introduces the issue; the que becomes qu' before a vowel sound.
Il y a un souci avec les horaires du bus.
There is an issue with the bus timetable.
eel yah un soo-SEE ah-vek lay zoh-REHR dew BEWSS
'Un souci' is a softer, more conversational word for a problem than 'un problème'. Useful in everyday spoken French.
On pourrait organiser un covoiturage.
We could organise a carpool.
on poo-REH or-gah-nee-ZAY un koh-vwah-tew-RAZH
'On pourrait' + infinitive is the standard polite way to float a suggestion. 'On' here means 'we' in relaxed speech.
Une solution serait de réduire le nombre de voitures.
One solution would be to reduce the number of cars.
ewn soh-lew-SYON suh-REH duh ray-DWEER luh NON-bruh duh vwah-TEWR
A more formal, structured way to present a proposal, common in meetings or written French.
Je propose qu'on en parle au conseil municipal.
I suggest we talk about it at the town council.
zhuh proh-POHZ kon ahn PARL oh kon-SAY mee-new-see-PAL
'Proposer que' triggers the subjunctive: 'qu'on en parle'. Use this when you want to suggest a formal next step.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is: problem frame + solution frame. Name the issue with 'Le problème, c'est que...' or 'Il y a un souci avec...', then offer a fix with 'On pourrait...', 'Une solution serait de...' or 'Il faudrait...'. For example: 'Le problème, c'est que le local est trop petit. On pourrait le déplacer.' Notice that 'on pourrait' is followed by the infinitive, while 'une solution serait de' is also followed by the infinitive. 'Il faudrait' adds a sense of necessity without sounding like a direct order.
When to use it
Use 'On pourrait...' in friendly or collaborative conversations where you want to sound open. Use 'Je propose que...' plus the subjunctive in more formal settings such as a meeting or a letter. If you disagree with a proposal, soften it with 'Oui, mais...' or 'Peut-être, mais...' before offering your alternative: 'Oui, mais on pourrait aussi...'. Avoid bare imperatives like 'Il faut faire ceci', which can sound blunt in French conversation. In Quebec, 'un souci' is understood but 'un problème' is equally common; 'covoiturage' is standard in both France and Canada.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Le problème, c'est qu'il y a trop de bouchons le matin.
The problem is that there is too much traffic in the morning.luh proh-BLEM say keel yah troh duh boo-SHON luh mah-TANOui, c'est vrai. On pourrait encourager le vélo.
Yes, that's true. We could encourage cycling.wee say VREH. on poo-REH ahn-koo-rah-ZHAY luh vay-LOHBonne idée. Une solution serait d'ajouter des pistes cyclables.
Good idea. One solution would be to add cycle lanes.bon ee-DAY. ewn soh-lew-SYON suh-REH dah-zhoo-TAY day peest see-KLABLD'accord, mais il faudrait aussi en parler à la mairie.
Agreed, but we would also need to talk about it with the town hall.dah-KOR, may eel foh-DREH oh-SEE ahn par-LAY ah lah may-REEA little context goes a long way
In French conversation, directly naming a problem can sound abrupt if it is not softened. Phrases like 'Il y a un petit souci' or 'Je me demande si...' are common ways to raise an issue politely. In formal meetings, 'Je propose que...' plus the subjunctive signals a structured, respectful suggestion. In Quebec, 'on' is very frequent for 'we', and 'c'est correct' can mean 'that's fine' rather than 'it's correct'.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je propose de parler au conseil' when you mean a formal proposal, or using 'Il faut' as a direct command in a polite discussion.
Try this instead: For a formal proposal, use 'Je propose que nous en parlions au conseil' with the subjunctive. In polite conversation, replace 'Il faut...' with 'Il faudrait...' or 'On pourrait...' to soften the suggestion: 'Il faudrait en parler au conseil' sounds more collaborative than 'Il faut en parler au conseil'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'The problem is that the room is too small. We could move it.'
Show a sample answer
Le problème, c'est que la salle est trop petite. On pourrait la déplacer.
This uses the problem frame 'Le problème, c'est que...' and the suggestion frame 'On pourrait' + infinitive. 'La déplacer' uses the direct object pronoun 'la' for 'la salle'. Other valid solutions include 'Une solution serait de la déplacer.'
2Which is more polite in a meeting: 'Il faut réduire les coûts' or 'Il faudrait réduire les coûts'? Why?
Show a sample answer
'Il faudrait réduire les coûts' is more polite.
The conditional 'il faudrait' softens the necessity and sounds like a suggestion rather than an order. 'Il faut' states an obligation bluntly, which can feel abrupt in a collaborative discussion.
3Respond to this proposal politely with an alternative: 'On pourrait organiser une réunion lundi.'
Show a sample answer
Oui, mais on pourrait aussi la faire mardi, non ?
'Oui, mais...' acknowledges the proposal before offering an alternative, and 'on pourrait aussi' keeps the suggestion open. Adding 'non ?' invites agreement. 'Peut-être, mais...' would also work.
Name the problem with 'Le problème, c'est que...' or 'Il y a un souci avec...', then propose a fix with 'On pourrait...', 'Une solution serait de...' or 'Il faudrait...'. Soften disagreement with 'Oui, mais...' and keep the tone collaborative.
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