This workshop helps you practise a short, realistic exchange in French. You will ask where the post office is, check whether it is near, ask whether it is open, and understand a simple answer about its location and closing time. Each native line is given with its English meaning before you use it, so you can speak with confidence rather than guess.
Asking the key questions
Start with a polite opening. The line «Excusez-moi, où est la poste, s'il vous plaît ?» means “Excuse me, where is the post office, please?” Use it when you stop someone to ask for directions. If you want to check distance instead, use «La poste est près d'ici ?», which means “Is the post office near here?” These two questions are different: the first asks for a location, the second asks whether the place is close. You can also ask about opening hours. The line «La poste est ouverte ?» means “Is the post office open?” and «À quelle heure ça ferme ?» means “What time does it close?” Say each line slowly, then repeat it at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and friendly.
Understanding a short reply
When someone answers, listen for the location and the closing time. In the recorded exchange, the first speaker asks «Excusez-moi, où est la poste, s'il vous plaît ?», which means “Excuse me, where is the post office, please?” The other speaker replies with «La poste est au bout de cette rue, à droite.», meaning “The post office is at the end of this street, on the right.” Here “on the right” describes a position, not an instruction to turn right. The first speaker then asks «Merci. Elle est ouverte maintenant ?», meaning “Thank you. Is it open now?” The reply is «Oui, jusqu'à dix-huit heures. Vous pouvez acheter des timbres là-bas.», meaning “Yes, until six p.m. You can buy stamps there.” Notice that the answer gives both a closing time and an extra detail about stamps.
Keeping the exchange natural
A short exchange works best when each line has a clear job. Open with a polite question, listen for the key words in the answer, then ask one follow-up question. If you are the person asking, you can use «Excusez-moi, où est la poste, s'il vous plaît ?» or «La poste est près d'ici ?» to begin, then «La poste est ouverte ?» or «À quelle heure ça ferme ?» to check opening hours. If you are the person answering, use «La poste est au bout de cette rue, à droite.» to give a location and «Oui, jusqu'à dix-huit heures. Vous pouvez acheter des timbres là-bas.» to confirm that the place is open and add a useful detail. Do not rush. Pause after each line, check that you understood the meaning, and repeat the exchange until the questions and answers feel comfortable.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Excusez-moi, où est la poste, s'il vous plaît ?
Excuse me, where is the post office, please?
ehk-skew-zay-mwah, oo eh lah post, seel voo pleh
La poste est près d'ici ?
Is the post office near here?
lah post eh preh dee-see
La poste est ouverte ?
Is the post office open?
lah post eh too-vehrt
À quelle heure ça ferme ?
What time does it close?
ah kel ur sah fehrm
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, où est la poste, s'il vous plaît ?
Excuse me, where is the post office, please?La poste est au bout de cette rue, à droite.
The post office is at the end of this street, on the right.Merci. Elle est ouverte maintenant ?
Thank you. Is it open now?Oui, jusqu'à dix-huit heures. Vous pouvez acheter des timbres là-bas.
Yes, until six p.m. You can buy stamps there.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 and answer
Work with a partner or play both roles yourself using the recorded audio. One person is the visitor asking for the post office. The other person is the local person answering.
Your task: Visitor: say the line that means “Excuse me, where is the post office, please?” Local person: reply with the line that means “The post office is at the end of this street, on the right.” Visitor: then ask the line that means “Thank you. Is it open now?” Local person: finish with the line that means “Yes, until six p.m. You can buy stamps there.”
Choose the right reply
Read the visitor’s question and choose the best reply from the two options. Both options are taught lines, but only one fits the question.
Your task: Visitor asks the line that means “Is the post office near here?” Option A: «La poste est au bout de cette rue, à droite.» Option B: «À quelle heure ça ferme ?» Choose the reply that answers the question about distance.
Recall and rebuild the exchange
Cover the lines and try to rebuild the short exchange from memory. Use the English meanings as prompts if you need them.
Your task: Start with the visitor’s polite question about where the post office is. Then give the local person’s answer about the end of the street and the right side. Next, give the visitor’s follow-up question about whether it is open now. Finish with the local person’s answer about six p.m. and stamps.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking where the post office is and asking whether it is near?
The first question asks for a location, so the answer should tell you where the post office is. The second question asks about distance, so the answer should tell you whether it is close. In this workshop, the recorded reply gives a location: at the end of the street, on the right.
Can I practise alone if I do not have a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles yourself while listening to the recorded lines. Say the visitor’s question, then pause and say the local person’s reply. There is no automatic assessment, so use the success criteria to check your own order and content.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask for a post officeChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's French into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr