French for Brocante Frame Hunting: Ask Dimensions and Discuss Missing Glass
Learn to ask for frame dimensions and discuss missing glass in French so you can assess a frame's usability at a brocante.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
At a brocante, you often find a frame you like but the glass is missing or the size isn't marked. You need to ask the vendor for the dimensions and clarify whether the frame is still usable. This lesson teaches you practical French questions to get those answers. You'll learn to ask 'Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre?' and 'Il manque le verre, c'est quel format?' along with follow-up phrases. By the end, you'll be able to handle this specific situation with confidence, using polite and clear French.
By the end, you can…
- ask for the dimensions of a frame in French.
- ask about missing glass and the frame's format.
- understand and respond to simple answers about measurements.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre ?
What are the dimensions of the frame?
kel sohn lay dee-mahn-syon duh kadr
Use this to ask for the overall size. 'Dimensions' is feminine plural, so 'quelles' is used.
Il manque le verre, c'est quel format ?
The glass is missing, what format is it?
eel mahnk luh vair, say kel for-mah
Use when you notice the glass is absent and want to know the standard size for replacement.
Quelle est la largeur et la hauteur ?
What is the width and the height?
kel ay la lar-zhur ay la oh-tur
Ask for specific measurements if you need to fit a picture or glass.
Est-ce que le cadre est vendu avec le verre ?
Is the frame sold with the glass?
ess-kuh luh kadr ay vahn-dew ah-vek luh vair
Use this to check if glass is included, especially if it's not obvious.
Quelle taille fait ce cadre ?
What size is this frame?
kel tie fay suh kadr
Use this to ask the vendor for the frame's size. 'Quelle taille fait... ?' is the natural way to ask how big something is.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for dimensions, use 'Quelles sont les dimensions de... ?' (What are the dimensions of...?). For example, 'Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre ?' (What are the dimensions of the frame?). You can replace 'du cadre' with other objects: 'de la toile' (of the canvas), 'de l'affiche' (of the poster). To ask about a missing part, use 'Il manque...' (There is missing...). For example, 'Il manque le verre' (The glass is missing). Then add 'c'est quel format ?' (what format is it?) to ask for the standard size. Another useful question is 'Quelle est la largeur ?' (What is the width?) and 'Quelle est la hauteur ?' (What is the height?).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a brocante or flea market and you find a frame without glass or without a size label. Approach the vendor politely: 'Bonjour, excusez-moi, j'ai une question.' Then ask your question. If the vendor gives you a measurement, you can repeat it to confirm: 'Donc, 30 par 40 centimètres ?' (So, 30 by 40 centimeters?). If you need to know if glass is included, ask 'Est-ce que le verre est inclus ?' (Is the glass included?). If the vendor says 'non', you can ask 'C'est quel format pour le verre ?' (What format is the glass?). Remember to thank them: 'Merci beaucoup.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, excusez-moi. Quelles sont les dimensions de ce cadre ?
Hello, excuse me. What are the dimensions of this frame?bon-zhoor, ex-kew-zay-mwah. kel sohn lay dee-mahn-syon duh suh kadrAlors, il fait 30 centimètres de largeur et 40 centimètres de hauteur.
Well, it is 30 centimeters wide and 40 centimeters high.ah-lor, eel fay trahnt sahn-tee-metr duh lar-zhur ay karahnt sahn-tee-metr duh oh-turD'accord. Et il manque le verre, c'est quel format ?
Okay. And the glass is missing, what format is it?dah-kor. ay eel mahnk luh vair, say kel for-mahC'est un format standard 30x40. Vous pouvez trouver du verre facilement.
It's a standard 30x40 format. You can find glass easily.say tuhn for-mah stahn-dar trahnt karahnt. voo poo-vay troo-vay dew vair fah-seel-mahnA little context goes a long way
In France, brocantes are often informal, and vendors expect questions. It's polite to start with 'Bonjour' and use 'vous' with strangers. Measurements are usually given in centimeters. If you're unsure, ask for clarification. Vendors may not know the exact format, so be prepared to measure yourself if possible.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Quel est les dimensions ?' instead of 'Quelles sont les dimensions ?'
Try this instead: 'Dimensions' is feminine plural, so the correct question is 'Quelles sont les dimensions ?' with 'quelles' and 'sont'. For example: 'Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'What are the dimensions of the frame?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre ?
This uses the correct feminine plural 'quelles' and 'sont' for 'dimensions'. You could also ask 'Quelle est la taille du cadre ?' but 'dimensions' is more precise.
2How do you say 'The glass is missing, what format is it?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Il manque le verre, c'est quel format ?
This phrase uses 'il manque' for 'is missing' and 'c'est quel format' for 'what format is it'. You can also say 'Il n'y a pas de verre, c'est quel format ?'
3What question would you ask to find out if the glass is included?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que le verre est inclus ?
This is a straightforward yes/no question. Alternatively, you could ask 'Le verre est vendu avec ?' but 'inclus' is clear.
When hunting for frames at a brocante, ask 'Quelles sont les dimensions du cadre ?' and 'Il manque le verre, c'est quel format ?' to get the key details. Always be polite and confirm measurements.
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