Chapter 27: The Conditional

What would you do? It's the mood of politeness and dreams.

The Recipe

Take the Future Stem and add the Imperfect Endings.

Parler- + -ais = Je parlerais (I would speak)

Politeness Level Up

Don't be rude. Use the Conditional.

Je veux (I want)

Too direct. Demanding.

Je voudrais (I would like)

Perfect for ordering coffee.


What would you do?

If you were rich?

J'achèterais une maison.

(I would buy a house)
If you were free?

Je voyagerais.

(I would travel)
If you were hungry?

Je mangerais tout.

(I would eat everything)

Dialogue: Si j'étais riche...

Two friends dream about winning the lottery.

M
Marc

Si tu gagnais au loto, que ferais-tu ?

(If you won the lottery, what would you do?)

J'achèterais une île déserte et je dormirais toute la journée.

(I would buy a desert island and I would sleep all day.)
S
Sophie
M
Marc

C'est tout ? Moi, je voudrais voyager sur la Lune !

(That's all? Me, I would like to travel to the Moon!)

Le Coin Culturel: La Politesse

French culture values politeness highly. Using "Je veux" (I want) is seen as childish or rude. Always use "Je voudrais" (I would like) when ordering food or asking for something. It's the magic password to good service.

Politeness Builder

Make the sentence polite: "Je veux un café."

Je ____ un café.


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