In this workshop you practise a short, practical exchange about parking. You will ask whether parking exists, whether it is free or paid, and whether it is included in the price. You will also listen to a native reply and choose the correct meaning. Each native line is given with its English meaning before you use it, so you always know what you are saying. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking whether parking exists
Start with the simplest question. «Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?» means "Is there parking?" Use it when you only want to know whether a place has parking at all. A slightly more polite opening adds a greeting: «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?» means "Hello, is there parking?" The greeting comes first, then the question. When someone answers, you may hear «Oui, nous avons un parking privé.», which means "Yes, we have a private car park." Notice that the reply confirms parking exists and adds that it is private. At this stage, do not worry about every word; focus on the yes and on the word for car park. Practise saying «Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?» and «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?» slowly, then at a natural speed, keeping the rising question intonation.
Asking about the cost and whether it is included
Once you know parking exists, you often need to know the cost. «Le parking est gratuit ?» means "Is parking free?" and «Le parking est payant ?» means "Is parking paid?" These two questions are useful as a pair: one asks about free parking, the other about paid parking. If you are asking about a room or a stay, you can ask whether the parking is part of the price: «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?» means "Is parking included in the price?" A possible reply is «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.», which means "No, parking is paid, ten euros per night." This reply answers the included question with no, then states that parking is paid and gives the price per night. Listen for the no and for the price; those are the key pieces of information.
Putting the questions in a useful order
A natural order is: first ask whether parking exists, then ask about the cost, then ask whether it is included. So you might begin with «Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?», follow with «Le parking est gratuit ?» or «Le parking est payant ?», and finish with «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?». If the person replies with «Oui, nous avons un parking privé.», you know parking exists and is private. If the person replies with «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.», you know parking is paid and you hear the price per night. Keep your questions short and clear. You do not need to add extra words. When you hear a reply, do not answer your own question again; simply note the information. In the exercises below you will ask, then understand a reply, then recall the exchange with the roles swapped.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Le parking est-il inclus ?
Is parking included?
luh par-KEENG eh-teel a(n)-KLEW
Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?
Is there parking?
ess-keel ee-ya u(n) par-KEENG
Le parking est gratuit ?
Is parking free?
luh par-KEENG eh gra-TWEE
Le parking est payant ?
Is parking paid?
luh par-KEENG eh peh-YAH(N)
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?
Hello, is there parking?Oui, nous avons un parking privé.
Yes, we have a private car park.Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?
Is parking included in the price?Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.
No, parking is paid, ten euros per night.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask about parking
You are at a hotel reception. You want to know whether parking exists. Your partner plays the receptionist and will reply with a recorded line.
Your task: Say the question «Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?» to ask whether there is parking. Then listen to your partner say «Oui, nous avons un parking privé.». After hearing it, say «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?» to ask whether parking is included in the price. Your partner will then say «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.». Do not change the order: question, reply, follow-up question, reply.
Reply comprehension: free, paid, or included
You will hear one recorded reply. Your job is to choose what it means in English. The reply is «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.».
Your task: Listen to «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.». Then choose the correct meaning: A) Parking is free. B) Parking is paid, ten euros per night. C) Parking is included in the price. Say your choice aloud, then say the French question «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?» that would naturally come before this reply.
Recall with roles swapped
Now swap roles. You are the receptionist. Your partner is the guest. The chronological order stays the same: question, reply, follow-up question, reply.
Your task: Your partner asks «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?», "Hello, is there parking?" You reply with «Oui, nous avons un parking privé.», "Yes, we have a private car park." Your partner then asks «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?», "Is parking included in the price?" You reply with «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.», "No, parking is paid, ten euros per night." Say your lines from memory if you can; if not, read them aloud.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking whether parking is free and asking whether it is included?
«Le parking est gratuit ?» asks whether parking is free, meaning there is no charge. «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?» asks whether parking is included in the price, meaning it may be part of what you already pay. A reply like «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.» says parking is paid and gives the price per night, so it answers the included question with no.
Can I use these questions if I am the receptionist rather than the guest?
Yes. The questions «Est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?», «Le parking est gratuit ?», «Le parking est payant ?», «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un parking ?», and «Le parking est-il inclus dans le prix ?» are for the person asking about parking. The replies «Oui, nous avons un parking privé.» and «Non, le parking est payant, dix euros par nuit.» are for the person answering. You can play either role with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check your understanding.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask about parkingChecked September 2026
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