In this workshop you will practice the small but useful skill of ending a conversation in French without sounding abrupt. You will learn how to announce that you are about to go, give a simple reason, and suggest staying in touch. The phrases here are short and common, so you can use them in many everyday situations. You will hear each French line, understand what it means in English, and then try it yourself in three short tasks. You can play both roles when you practice with the audio, and you can check your choices with the answer keys after each task.
Announcing that you are about to leave
The first step is to signal clearly that you are about to go. A neutral and polite way to do this is «Bon, je vais devoir y aller.». The word at the start softens the exit and tells the other person that the conversation is changing direction. If you are with friends, family, or colleagues you address with tu, you can use a more casual line: «Il faut que je file.». This one means you need to dash, and it sounds friendly rather than rude. Both lines do the same job: they let the other person know you are leaving before you actually go. Try saying each one out loud a few times. Pay attention to the rhythm, and keep your tone light and calm.
Giving a simple reason
After you announce that you are leaving, the other person may ask why. A short, vague reason is often enough. The line «J'ai un truc à faire.» means you have something to do. The word for 'thing' here is informal and friendly, so this works well in casual conversations. You do not need to give details. A simple reason keeps the exit smooth and avoids a long explanation. If you want to sound a little more formal, you can use a longer version of the same idea, but for this workshop we focus on the short, common form. Practice saying it slowly, then a little faster, until it feels natural.
Suggesting you catch up soon
A good exit often ends with a friendly suggestion to stay in touch. The phrase «On se tient au courant.» does exactly that. It means 'let's keep each other posted' or 'let's catch up soon'. It does not fix a date or time, so it is easy to use with many people. You can say it after your reason, as a question or as a simple statement. In the short dialogue you will hear, one speaker uses it to close the conversation on a warm note. The other speaker replies with a short, positive answer. Together, these lines show a complete and polite exit. Listen to the whole exchange once, then try each part yourself.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Bon, je vais devoir y aller.
Well, I should get going.
bohn, zhuh vay duh-VWAR ee ah-LAY
Il faut que je file.
I need to dash.
eel foh kuh zhuh FEEL
J'ai un truc à faire.
I have something to do.
zhay un TRUHK ah FEHR
On se tient au courant.
Let's keep each other posted. / Let's catch up soon.
ohn suh tyan oh koo-RAHN
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bon, écoute, je vais devoir y aller.
Well, listen, I should get going.Ah bon ? Tu as un rendez-vous ?
Oh really? Do you have an appointment?Oui, j'ai un truc à faire. On se tient au courant ?
Yes, I have something to do. Let's keep each other posted?D'accord. À bientôt !
Okay. See you soon!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: announce and give a reason
Imagine you are talking with a friend and you need to leave. You will play the person who is leaving. Use the audio to hear the French lines first, then say your part out loud.
Your task: Listen to «Bon, écoute, je vais devoir y aller.» and repeat it. Then listen to «Ah bon ? Tu as un rendez-vous ?» and repeat it. Finally, answer the question using «Oui, j'ai un truc à faire. On se tient au courant ?». Say all three lines in order, pausing after each one.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You will hear a short reply and decide what it means. This task checks that you understand the other person's role in the conversation.
Your task: Listen to «D'accord. À bientôt !». Then choose the best meaning: (a) The person agrees and says see you soon, or (b) The person asks you to stay longer. Say your choice out loud, then listen again to check.
Recall and roles: put the exit together
In this task you will rebuild the short conversation from memory. You can play both roles, and you can use the answer key after you finish.
Your task: Say the conversation in order. Start with the leaving line, then the surprised question, then the reason and the suggestion, and end with the closing reply. Use the recordings to check yourself: «Bon, écoute, je vais devoir y aller.», «Ah bon ? Tu as un rendez-vous ?», «Oui, j'ai un truc à faire. On se tient au courant ?», and «D'accord. À bientôt !».
Common questions
Can I use these phrases with anyone?
The neutral line «Bon, je vais devoir y aller.» works in many situations, including with people you do not know well. The casual line «Il faut que je file.» is better with friends, family, or colleagues you address with tu. When you are unsure, choose the neutral line. You can also keep your tone light and smile, which helps the exit feel friendly.
Do I need to give a real reason for leaving?
No. A short, vague reason like «J'ai un truc à faire.» is often enough. It means you have something to do, and it does not require details. The goal is to leave politely, not to explain your whole schedule. If the other person asks more, you can simply repeat the same idea or use the suggestion «On se tient au courant.» to close the conversation on a warm note.
Sources and further reading
- french: end conversation gracefullyChecked 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