In this workshop you will practise asking what the next stop is and understanding a short answer. You will use four question forms and one short exchange. The phrases work on buses, trams and trains. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your answers with the model lines. Before each task, read the English meaning of every line you will use.
Asking the question
Start with a polite question. «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?» means "What is the next stop?" and works on buses and trams. «Quelle est la prochaine station ?» means "What is the next station?" and is common for metro, tram and train stops. If you want a short, informal question, use «C'est quel arrêt ?», which means "Which stop is it?" When you think you heard a name and want to confirm it, use «Le prochain arrêt, c'est ... ?», which means "The next stop is ...?" Say the question clearly and add a smile or a small gesture to be polite. You can ask the driver or a fellow passenger.
Understanding the answer
A short answer often names the stop. In the exchange, one person asks «Excusez-moi, quel est le prochain arrêt ?», which means "Excuse me, what is the next stop?" The other person answers «Le prochain arrêt, c'est République.», which means "The next stop is République." The first person then says «Merci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.», which means "Thank you. I'm getting off at the next stop." The second person replies «D'accord, je vous préviens.», which means "All right, I'll let you know." Listen for the name after the phrase for "the next stop is." The name may be a place you do not know, so repeat it in your head and check it if you need to.
Using the right word
French uses different words for different vehicles. For buses, the common word is arrêt, as in «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?» and «C'est quel arrêt ?». For metro, tram and train stops, the common word is station, as in «Quelle est la prochaine station ?». The word terminus means the end of the line. You may hear it in announcements, but you do not need to say it yourself in these tasks. If you are on a bus, use arrêt. If you are on a tram or train, use station. When you are not sure, you can use the polite question «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?» on a bus or «Quelle est la prochaine station ?» on a tram or train.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Quel est le prochain arrêt ?
What is the next stop?
kel‿eh luh pro-SHAN ta-REH
Quelle est la prochaine station ?
What is the next station?
kel‿eh la pro-SHEN sta-SYON
C'est quel arrêt ?
Which stop is it?
say kel‿a-REH
Le prochain arrêt, c'est ... ?
The next stop is ...?
luh pro-SHAN ta-REH, say ...
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, quel est le prochain arrêt ?
Excuse me, what is the next stop?Le prochain arrêt, c'est République.
The next stop is République.Merci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.
Thank you. I'm getting off at the next stop.D'accord, je vous préviens.
All right, I'll let you know.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 on a bus. You want to know the next stop. A friendly passenger is next to you. Read the English meaning of each line before you speak.
Your task: Play both roles. First, as the passenger, ask the polite question «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?». Then, as the other person, answer with the line «Le prochain arrêt, c'est République.». Finally, as the passenger, thank the person and say you are getting off, using «Merci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.». Repeat the exchange two times, then swap roles so you practise the answer line too.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You are on a tram. You ask a fellow passenger a question. The passenger gives a short answer. You need to choose the best reply from two options.
Your task: First, read the question «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?», which means "What is the next stop?" Then read the answer «Le prochain arrêt, c'est République.», which means "The next stop is République." Now choose the best reply: (a) «Merci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.», which means "Thank you. I'm getting off at the next stop," or (b) «D'accord, je vous préviens.», which means "All right, I'll let you know." Say your choice out loud, then say the other line as well to hear the difference.
Recall and role swap: who says what
You are on a bus. You will recall the complete passenger-and-driver exchange. Use only the lines you have practised.
Your task: First, as the passenger, say «Excusez-moi, quel est le prochain arrêt ?». Then, as the driver or helper, answer «Le prochain arrêt, c'est République.». Next, as the passenger, say «Merci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.». Finally, as the driver or helper, say «D'accord, je vous préviens.». Do one full round without looking, then swap roles and repeat. Do not add new lines.
Common questions
What is the difference between arrêt and station?
In these recordings, arrêt is used for buses, as in «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?» and «C'est quel arrêt ?». Station is used for metro, tram and train stops, as in «Quelle est la prochaine station ?». If you are on a bus, use arrêt. If you are on a tram or train, use station. When you are not sure, you can still ask a polite question and listen for the answer.
Can I use these phrases with the driver?
Yes. The polite question «Quel est le prochain arrêt ?» and the train or tram question «Quelle est la prochaine station ?» are suitable for a driver or a fellow passenger. The short question «C'est quel arrêt ?» is informal and works well when the bus is stopped or moving slowly. The confirmation line «Le prochain arrêt, c'est ... ?» helps when you think you heard a name. Always say the question clearly and add a smile or a small gesture to be polite.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask for the next stopChecked September 2026
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