In this workshop you practise a short, realistic bus conversation in French. You will learn how to ask which bus goes to a destination, how to check whether a specific bus number stops where you want to go, and how to understand a simple answer about the route and the stop. The focus is on speaking clearly and listening for the key words: the bus number, the destination, and the word for the stop. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys and self-checks to judge your own performance.
Asking which bus goes to a place
The most useful question for a bus stop or a ticket desk is a short question with 'quel bus'. The word 'quel' means 'which' and it agrees with the masculine noun 'bus'. After 'quel bus', you say 'va' (goes) and then the destination. To ask about the beach, you can say «Quel bus va à la plage ?». To ask about the city centre instead, you can say «Quel bus va au centre-ville ?». Notice that the destination changes, but the question frame stays the same. Say the question slowly at first, then at a natural speed. Keep the final sound of 'bus' soft, and link 'va à' smoothly.
Checking a bus number and the stop
Sometimes you already know a number and you want to confirm the route. In that case, use a yes-or-no question with 'est-ce que'. To check whether bus number 12 goes to the beach, you can say «Est-ce que le bus numéro 12 va à la plage ?». If you are already at the door of a bus, you can point and ask «Ce bus s'arrête à la plage ?». The verb 's'arrête' means 'stops', and 'à la plage' means 'at the beach'. When you listen to an answer, focus on three things: the number, the destination, and the word 'arrêt' (stop). A short answer may also tell you where the stop is, so listen for a location word at the end.
A short exchange at the stop
Here is a model exchange. One person asks for information, and the other person gives the number and the location of the stop. The first speaker says «Bonjour, quel bus va à la plage, s'il vous plaît ?». The second speaker answers with the number and the stop location: «Le bus numéro 12 va à la plage. L'arrêt est là-bas.». The first speaker thanks the other person and checks one more detail: «Merci. Est-ce que le 12 s'arrête près de la plage ?». The second speaker confirms and gives a precise location: «Oui, il s'arrête juste devant la plage.». In this exchange, the roles are clear: one person is asking for help, and the other person is giving information. When you practise, say your line, then listen to the recorded reply and repeat it. Do not try to invent new sentences; use the recorded lines as your model.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Quel bus va à la plage ?
Which bus goes to the beach?
kel booss va a la plazh
Quel bus va au centre-ville ?
Which bus goes to the city centre?
kel booss va o santr vil
Est-ce que le bus numéro 12 va à la plage ?
Does bus number 12 go to the beach?
ess kuh luh booss nu-may-ro dooz va a la plazh
Ce bus s'arrête à la plage ?
Does this bus stop at the beach?
suh booss sa-ret a la plazh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, quel bus va à la plage, s'il vous plaît ?
Hello, which bus goes to the beach, please?Le bus numéro 12 va à la plage. L'arrêt est là-bas.
Bus number 12 goes to the beach. The stop is over there.Merci. Est-ce que le 12 s'arrête près de la plage ?
Thank you. Does the 12 stop near the beach?Oui, il s'arrête juste devant la plage.
Yes, it stops right in front of the beach.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 at a bus stop. You want to go to the beach. Play the role of the person asking for information. Use the recorded lines as your model.
Your task: Say the question «Quel bus va à la plage ?» out loud. Then listen to the recorded answer «Le bus numéro 12 va à la plage. L'arrêt est là-bas.» and repeat it. Next, say the follow-up question «Merci. Est-ce que le 12 s'arrête près de la plage ?» and listen to the recorded reply «Oui, il s'arrête juste devant la plage.». Do this three times: first read the lines, then say them without reading, then say them at a natural speed.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct detail
You will hear a short answer about a bus. Your job is to catch the number and the destination. This is a listening and speaking check, not an automatic test.
Your task: Listen to «Le bus numéro 12 va à la plage. L'arrêt est là-bas.» and answer these questions out loud in English: Which bus number goes to the beach? Where is the stop? Then listen to «Oui, il s'arrête juste devant la plage.» and answer: Does the bus stop near the beach? Say 'yes' or 'no' and repeat the French line that gives the answer.
Recall with correct roles
This time, you will recall the exchange from memory. The roles are: one person asks for information, and the other person gives the number and the stop location.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say the question for the beach. Then say the answer that gives the bus number and the stop location. Next, say the follow-up question about stopping near the beach, and then say the answer that confirms the exact location. Use the recorded lines as your target.
Common questions
Do I need to say 's'il vous plaît' every time?
It is polite and common in a short exchange with a stranger. You can add it to your question, as in the recorded line «Bonjour, quel bus va à la plage, s'il vous plaît ?». If you forget it, the question still works, but adding it makes your request sound more polite.
What if I do not understand the answer?
Listen for the number and the destination first. In the recorded answer «Le bus numéro 12 va à la plage. L'arrêt est là-bas.», the number is '12' and the destination is 'la plage'. If you still do not understand, you can repeat your question «Quel bus va à la plage ?» or ask the person to repeat. Use the recorded lines as your model and keep your question short.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask which bus to takeChecked 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