You have read that 'excusez-moi' gets attention and 'pardon' helps you pass, but in real conversation you need to say them smoothly while also handling what comes next. This workshop gives you three progressively harder speaking situations: first a simple request for a seat, then a crowded aisle where someone reacts unexpectedly, and finally a polite interruption of a busy staff member. You will practise linking 'excusez-moi' to a question, using 'pardon' alone or with 'je peux passer', and keeping your pronunciation clear when you are slightly nervous. Each exercise asks you to speak aloud, not just read. The goal is to make these phrases automatic so you can use them without freezing.
Warm up your mouth and your nerve
Before you start the role-plays, spend two minutes saying the target phrases slowly, then at normal speed. Focus on the pronunciation given in the source lesson: 'excusez-moi' is roughly 'ehk-skew-zay mwah'. The written final 'z' in 'excusez' is silent; the 'z' sound occurs inside 'excusez' before its final vowel. There is no liaison before the consonant 'm' in 'moi'. Keep the French rounded /y/ vowel in 'excusez'. For 'pardon', keep the nasal vowel in the second syllable: 'par-dohn', not 'par-don' with a hard 'n'. Then practise the full question 'Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?' three times, paying attention to the rhythm: 'ehk-skew-zay mwah, ess-kuh set plass ay lee-bruh'. If you stumble, slow down and repeat just the phrase you missed. This is not about perfection; it is about building the muscle memory so you can produce the phrase when you actually need it. You can also record yourself on your phone and listen once to check that 'libre' does not sound like 'lee-bruh' with an extra vowel at the end. Keep your voice calm and friendly; these phrases are polite, so a soft tone matches them.
When the other person does not answer as you expect
The hardest part of using 'excusez-moi' or 'pardon' is not saying the phrase itself; it is handling the reply. In a real situation, the person might not hear you, might answer with a question you did not prepare for, or might simply move without speaking. For example, if you say 'Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?' and the person replies 'Oui, elle est libre. Installez-vous', you need to understand and respond with 'Merci'. If they just look at you blankly, you can repeat 'Pardon, cette place est libre ?' with a rising intonation. The key is to keep your opening phrase clear and then listen for the first word of their reply: 'oui' or 'non' usually tells you what to do next. If you are passing someone and say 'Pardon, je peux passer ?' and they respond 'Bien sûr, je me pousse', you can simply say 'Merci'. If they do not move, you can repeat 'Pardon' a little louder but still politely. Practise these follow-up turns aloud so you are not caught silent.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Excusez-moi
Excuse me
ehk-skew-zay mwah
Pardon
Excuse me / Sorry
par-dohn
Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
ehk-skew-zay mwah, ess-kuh set plass ay lee-bruh
Pardon, je peux passer ?
Excuse me, may I get past?
par-dohn, zhuh puh pass-ay
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?
Excuse me, is this seat free?Oui, elle est libre. Installez-vous.
Yes, it's free. Have a seat.Merci. Pardon, je peux passer ?
Thank you. Excuse me, may I get past?Bien sûr, je me pousse.
Of course, I'll move over.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Asking for a seat on a busy train
You are on a regional train in France. The carriage is fairly full, but you see one empty seat next to a woman who is reading. You want to sit down. You have a small backpack and you are standing in the aisle. The woman looks up as you approach.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?' Make sure you pronounce 'excusez-moi' as 'ehk-skew-zay mwah' with no extra 'z' before 'moi'. Then wait for her reply. If she says yes, say 'Merci' and sit down. If she says no, say 'Pas de problème, merci'. Speak clearly and at a normal volume, not a whisper.
Passing through a crowded market aisle
You are in a narrow aisle at an outdoor market in Lyon. Two people are standing side by side, looking at a stall, and you need to get past them to reach the exit. You are carrying a bag of fruit. There is not much space. You say 'Pardon' to get their attention.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Pardon, je peux passer ?' Then imagine one of them turns and says 'Oui, bien sûr' and steps aside. You say 'Merci' and move through. If they do not move immediately, repeat 'Pardon' a little louder but still politely. Focus on keeping the nasal sound in 'pardon' and the rising intonation in 'je peux passer ?'.
Interrupting a busy staff member at the station
You are at a train station in Paris. You need to ask a staff member where the platform for your train is, but she is talking to a colleague and looking at a clipboard. You do not want to be rude, but your train leaves in ten minutes. You approach her and say 'Excusez-moi de vous déranger'.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Excusez-moi de vous déranger. Où est le quai pour le train de 14h ?' (Excuse me for bothering you. Where is the platform for the 2pm train?) Speak clearly and wait for her to finish her sentence before you start. If she looks annoyed, keep your tone apologetic but direct. If she answers quickly, repeat the platform number back to her to confirm.
Common questions
What if I say 'excusez-moi' and the person just stares at me without answering?
That happens sometimes. Just repeat your question more slowly, or add 'Pardon' first: 'Pardon, excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?' If they still do not respond, you can say 'Merci' and move on. Not every interaction needs a full conversation.
Should I use 'pardon' or 'excusez-moi' when I bump into someone accidentally?
For a light accidental bump, 'Pardon' is usually enough and sounds natural. If it was a bigger bump or you spilled something, you might say 'Excusez-moi' or 'Je suis désolé'. In the practice exercises, 'Pardon' works well for brushing past or a small nudge.
Sources and further reading
- french: using excuse meChecked September 2026
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