A1Beginner212 words · 3 min
A new neighbour
Diego has just moved in and knows no one in the building. A meeting on the stairs, a small white dog and an invitation for coffee.
The text
Diego habite dans son nouvel appartement depuis trois jours et ne connaît personne dans l'immeuble. Ce matin, il descend l'escalier avec un sac de recyclage. Une dame monte avec un petit chien blanc. Diego se présente : il s'appelle Diego, le nouveau voisin. La dame répond qu'elle s'appelle Louise, que le chien s'appelle Biscuit, et lui demande s'il vient d'arriver.
Diego répond que oui, depuis trois jours, et qu'il vient de Colombie. Louise sourit : elle habite là depuis longtemps. Elle lui montre les bacs de recyclage, puis demande s'il connaît le quartier. Diego dit que non, et qu'il cherche une bonne boulangerie. Louise lui dit qu'il y en a une au coin de la rue, avec du très bon pain.
Diego est content, et Biscuit renifle ses souliers. Louise lui demande s'il a le temps pour un café, car elle habite juste en face. Dans sa cuisine, il y a des plantes partout, et ils parlent de la neige et du travail de Diego. Avant de partir, elle lui donne une petite plante verte, un cadeau de bienvenue.
Maintenant, quand Diego rentre chez lui, il n'est plus un étranger dans l'immeuble. Il a une voisine, un chien et une plante. Et quand il croise Louise dans l'escalier, il la salue comme un voisin.
Show the translationHide the translation
Diego has lived in his new apartment for three days and knows no one in the building. This morning, he goes down the stairs with a bag of recycling. A lady comes up with a small white dog. Diego introduces himself: his name is Diego, the new neighbour. The lady answers that her name is Louise, that the dog's name is Biscuit, and asks if he has just arrived.
Diego answers yes, for three days, and that he comes from Colombia. Louise smiles: she has lived there for a long time. She shows him the recycling bins, then asks if he knows the neighbourhood. Diego says no, and that he is looking for a good bakery. Louise tells him there is one on the corner, with very good bread.
Diego is happy, and Biscuit sniffs his shoes. Louise asks if he has time for a coffee, since she lives right across the hall. In her kitchen, there are plants everywhere, and they talk about the snow and Diego's job. Before he leaves, she gives him a small green plant, a welcome gift.
Now, when Diego comes home, he is no longer a stranger in the building. He has a neighbour, a dog and a plant. And when he meets Louise on the stairs, he greets her like a neighbour.
Underlined words are in the glossary: tap one for its definition.
Comprehension questions 4
1. Où Diego rencontre-t-il Louise ?（Where does Diego meet Louise?）
Answer : Dans l'escalier de l'immeuble.
2. Comment s'appelle le chien de Louise ?（What is Louise's dog called?）
Answer : Biscuit.
3. Qu'est-ce que Diego cherche dans le quartier ?（What is Diego looking for in the neighbourhood?）
Answer : Une bonne boulangerie.
4. Qu'est-ce que Louise donne à Diego avant son départ ?（What does Louise give Diego before he leaves?）
Answer : Une petite plante verte, comme cadeau de bienvenue.
Grammar point in this text
Practise speaking
Les interactions socialesSocial interactions
Greeting, getting acquainted, chatting with a neighbour — the French of everyday exchanges.
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