In this workshop you will practice joining a conversation that is already happening. You will learn how to interrupt politely, ask to join, ask what the group is talking about, and add a short opinion. Each French example comes from the supplied lines, and you will see its English meaning before you practice it. Use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking to join and interrupting politely
When you approach a group, start with a polite interruption. The line «Excusez-moi de vous interrompre.» means 'Excuse me for interrupting.' It shows respect and gives people a moment to include you. After that, you can ask to join with «Je peux me joindre à vous ?», which means 'May I join you?' This is a polite question that works with people you do not know well. In the recorded exchange, speaker A puts these two lines together: «Excusez-moi de vous interrompre. Je peux me joindre à vous ?». Notice how the apology comes first, then the request. This order sounds natural and friendly. Practice saying each line slowly, then link them together without a long pause.
Asking what the group is talking about
Once you have joined, you often need to know the topic. The question «Vous parlez de quoi ?» means 'What are you talking about?' It is common in everyday spoken French. In the recorded dialogue, speaker B answers with a short, clear sentence: «Oui, bien sûr. On parle du nouveau café au coin de la rue.». The answer means 'Yes, of course. We're talking about the new café on the corner.' This shows a typical pattern: a yes, then the topic. When you hear an answer like this, listen for the main noun or place. You do not need to understand every word to follow the topic.
Adding a short comment or question
After you know the topic, you can ask for a turn. The phrase «Je peux dire un mot ?» means 'Can I say something?' or 'Can I put in a word?' It is a friendly way to enter the conversation when several people are speaking. In the recording, speaker A uses it and then adds a simple opinion: «Ah, intéressant. Je peux dire un mot ? Moi aussi, je trouve que c'est sympa.». The comment means 'Ah, interesting. Can I say something? I also think it's nice.' Speaker B replies with a short question: «Bien sûr ! Tu y es allé ?», which means 'Of course! Have you been there?' This shows how a group can welcome you and keep the conversation going. Practice the recorded turn-taking line and opinion together.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Je peux me joindre à vous ?
May I join you?
zhuh puh muh zhwaⁿ-druh ah voo
Vous parlez de quoi ?
What are you talking about?
voo par-lay duh kwah
Je peux dire un mot ?
Can I say something? / Can I put in a word?
zhuh puh deer uⁿ moh
Excusez-moi de vous interrompre.
Excuse me for interrupting.
eks-kew-zay mwah duh voo-zaⁿ-tay-roⁿ-pruh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi de vous interrompre. Je peux me joindre à vous ?
Excuse me for interrupting. May I join you?Oui, bien sûr. On parle du nouveau café au coin de la rue.
Yes, of course. We're talking about the new café on the corner.Ah, intéressant. Je peux dire un mot ? Moi aussi, je trouve que c'est sympa.
Ah, interesting. Can I say something? I also think it's nice.Bien sûr ! Tu y es allé ?
Of course! Have you been 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: join the group
Imagine you see two classmates talking in the hallway. You want to join them politely. Use the recording lines to build your first two sentences.
Your task: Say the polite interruption line from «Excusez-moi de vous interrompre.», then the request to join from «Je peux me joindre à vous ?». After that, ask what they are talking about using «Vous parlez de quoi ?». Say all three lines out loud in order.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct response
You have just asked to join a group and asked what they are talking about. Now you hear a short answer. Read the two possible replies below and choose the one that matches the recording.
Your task: Listen to «Oui, bien sûr. On parle du nouveau café au coin de la rue.» and choose the correct meaning: (a) The group is talking about a new café on the corner, or (b) The line does not mention a place. Then say the correct answer out loud.
Recall and role switch: who says what?
In the recorded dialogue, speaker A joins the group and speaker B welcomes A. You will now recall the lines and practice both roles.
Your task: Without looking, say the recorded dialogue in order: speaker A «Excusez-moi de vous interrompre. Je peux me joindre à vous ?», speaker B «Oui, bien sûr. On parle du nouveau café au coin de la rue.», speaker A «Ah, intéressant. Je peux dire un mot ? Moi aussi, je trouve que c'est sympa.», and speaker B «Bien sûr ! Tu y es allé ?». Then switch roles and repeat the four lines.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line exactly?
No. The goal is to become comfortable with the polite phrases and the rhythm of joining a conversation. Use the recordings as models, and practice saying the lines until they feel natural. You can slow down or repeat a line as many times as you need.
What if I do not understand the group's answer?
Replay the line and focus on the main topic, such as a place or an activity. The recording «Oui, bien sûr. On parle du nouveau café au coin de la rue.» gives a short, clear answer, so listen for the key noun and use the answer key to check your meaning.
Sources and further reading
- french: join group conversationChecked September 2026
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