In this workshop you will practice a short, useful exchange in French: asking whether a supermarket is near, understanding a simple answer about where it is, and checking whether it is far. You will hear the key lines, learn what they mean in English, and then use them in three speaking tasks. You can play both roles with the audio, and the answer keys are visible so you can check yourself after each task.
Asking the basic question
Start with the most useful question. «Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?» means 'Is there a supermarket near here?' Use it when you do not know if a supermarket exists nearby. If you already expect one and want its exact location, use «Où est le supermarché le plus proche ?», which means 'Where is the nearest supermarket?' Both are polite and work in a street, a hotel, or a tourist office. After you hear an answer, you can ask «C'est loin ?», meaning 'Is it far?' This is a short follow-up, not a new topic. To clarify the direction, use «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?», which means 'Is it on the left or on the right?' Notice that «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?» asks about a position, not about turning. Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed.
Understanding a simple answer
Now listen to a short exchange. Speaker A asks «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?», which means 'Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?' Speaker B answers «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.»: 'Yes, there is a supermarket on the left, after the bank.' The answer gives two pieces of information: the side, 'on the left', and a landmark, 'after the bank'. Speaker A then asks «C'est loin ?», 'Is it far?' Speaker B replies «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.»: 'No, it is five minutes on foot.' This is a common way to say the place is close. When you hear an answer like «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.», do not look for a street number. Listen for the side and the landmark. When you hear «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.», you know the place is walkable.
Using the lines in a real situation
Imagine you are standing outside a hotel. You want to buy some water and fruit. You decide to ask a person on the street. You begin with «Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?». The person answers with a direction. You then ask «C'est loin ?» to check the distance. If the answer is not clear, you ask «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?» to separate left from right. If you are the person giving directions, you can use «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.» and «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.» as models. Keep your answer short: say yes or no, give the side, and add one landmark. Then say if it is close. This keeps the exchange clear for a beginner. Remember that «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?» asks about a location on the left or right, not an instruction to turn left or right.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?
Is there a supermarket near here?
ess keel ee ah uhn sew-per-mar-shay preh dee-see
Où est le supermarché le plus proche ?
Where is the nearest supermarket?
oo eh luh sew-per-mar-shay luh ploo prosh
C'est loin ?
Is it far?
seh lwan
C'est à gauche ou à droite ?
Is it on the left or on the right?
seh tah gohsh oo ah drwaht
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?
Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.
Yes, there is a supermarket on the left, after the bank.C'est loin ?
Is it far?Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.
No, it is five minutes on foot.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
You are outside a hotel. You need a supermarket. A friendly person is standing nearby. You will play both roles: first the person asking, then the person answering.
Your task: Step 1: Say the question from «Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?» to ask if there is a supermarket near here. Step 2: Now play the other person. Answer with «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.». Step 3: As the first person, ask «C'est loin ?» to check the distance. Step 4: As the other person, answer with «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.».
Reply comprehension: choose the correct meaning
You hear a short answer in French. You need to understand the side and the distance. Read the three options and choose the best one.
Your task: You hear: «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.». Question: Where is the supermarket? Option A: on the right, before the bank. Option B: on the left, after the bank. Option C: far from the bank. Then you hear: «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.». Question: Is it far? Option A: Yes, it is far. Option B: No, it is five minutes on foot. Option C: No, it is on the left.
Recall and role swap
Now you will remember the lines without looking. You will also swap roles: you are the person who gives directions, and your partner asks the questions.
Your task: Step 1: Your partner asks «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?». You answer with «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.». Step 2: Your partner asks «C'est loin ?». You answer with «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.». Step 3: Swap roles. You ask «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?» and your partner answers. Then you ask «C'est loin ?» and your partner answers. If you cannot remember a line, look at the recording list and try again.
Common questions
What is the difference between «Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?» and «Où est le supermarché le plus proche ?»?
«Est-ce qu'il y a un supermarché près d'ici ?» means 'Is there a supermarket near here?' You use it when you do not know if a supermarket exists nearby. «Où est le supermarché le plus proche ?» means 'Where is the nearest supermarket?' You use it when you expect there is one and you want its location. Both are polite and useful, but they start from different assumptions.
How do I know if the supermarket is on the left or on the right?
Listen for the words in «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?» and «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.». «C'est à gauche ou à droite ?» asks 'Is it on the left or on the right?' and «Oui, il y a un supermarché à gauche, après la banque.» answers with 'on the left, after the bank'. The side word comes first, then the landmark. If you hear 'à gauche', it is on the left. If you hear 'à droite', it is on the right. This is a location, not an instruction to turn.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask for a supermarketChecked 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