Tableware
Vaisselle
- Describe what tableware you need.
- Setting up the table to receive guests.
- Adverbs of place
This lesson teaches you key tableware vocabulary like "l'assiette" (plate), "la fourchette" (fork), and "le verre" (glass), plus useful prepositions such as "devant" (in front of) and "à côté de" (next to) to describe placement on the table.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (15) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the words into two categories based on whether they designate objects for setting the table or actions related to dishwashing.
Objets pour dresser la table
Actions liées à la vaisselle
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
La tasse
The cup
2
La fourchette
The fork
3
Le couteau
The knife
4
Les couverts
Cutlery
5
L'assiette
The plate
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- Ask to pass any item you need. (Ask to pass any item you need.)
- Name all tableware and the usage. (Name all tableware and the usage.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Le bol avec du sucre est sur la table. The bowl with sugar is on the table. |
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La cuillère est dans le bol. The spoon is in the bowl. |
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Peux-tu mettre la nappe sur la table ? Can you put the tablecloth on the table? |
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Le verre est rempli de jus d'orange. The glass is filled with orange juice. |
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L'assiette est remplie de croissants. The plate is filled with croissants. |
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Peux-tu me passer un verre d'eau f Can you pass me a glass of water? |
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Voulez-vous une tasse de café ou une tasse de thé ? Do you want a cup of coffee or a cup of tea? |
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La fourchette, le couteau et la cuillère sont à côté de l'assiette. The fork, knife, and spoon are next to the plate. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ les assiettes avant de mettre la table.
(I ___ the plates before setting the table.)2. Tu ___ les légumes pour la salade.
(You ___ the vegetables for the salad.)3. Il est en train de ___ les verres à côté de l'évier.
(He is ___ the glasses next to the sink.)4. Nous ___ les couverts devant la fenêtre.
(We ___ the cutlery in front of the window.)Exercise 8: Setting the table before the guests arrive
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Inviter - Invite
Présent
- j'invite
- tu invites
- il/elle invite
- nous invitons
- vous invitez
- ils/elles invitent
Laver - Wash
Présent
- je lave
- tu laves
- il/elle lave
- nous lavons
- vous lavez
- ils/elles lavent
Couper - Cut
Présent
- je coupe
- tu coupes
- il/elle coupe
- nous coupons
- vous coupez
- ils/elles coupent
Mettre - Set
Présent
- je mets
- tu mets
- il/elle met
- nous mettons
- vous mettez
- ils/elles mettent
Essuyer - Wipe
Présent
- j'essuie
- tu essuies
- il/elle essuie
- nous essuyons
- vous essuyez
- ils/elles essuient
Exercise 9: Les adverbes de lieu
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Adverbs of place
Show translation Show answersà côté, en dessous de, en face de, devant, derrière, chez
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Laver to wash Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je lave | I wash |
| tu laves | you wash |
| il/elle/on lave | he/she/one washes |
| nous lavons | We wash |
| vous lavez | You wash |
| ils/elles lavent | They wash |
Couper to cut Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je coupe | I cut |
| tu coupes | you cut |
| il/elle/on coupe | He/she/one cuts |
| nous coupons | We cut |
| vous coupez | You cut |
| ils/elles coupent | They cut |
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Lesson Overview: Tableware and Prepositions of Place
This lesson introduces you to essential French vocabulary related to tableware and teaches how to describe the placement of objects using adverbs of place. You will learn key nouns for common items used to set a table, as well as verbs describing actions related to washing and preparing dishes.
Key Vocabulary: Objects and Actions
- Objects for setting the table: l'assiette (plate), la cuillère (spoon), la fourchette (fork), le couteau (knife), la serviette (napkin), le verre (glass)
- Actions related to dishes: faire la vaisselle (to do the dishes), essuyer (to dry/wipe)
Using Prepositions of Place
You will practice placing and describing items using phrases such as:
- Je mets les assiettes devant chaque chaise. (I put the plates in front of each chair.)
- La fourchette est à côté de l'assiette. (The fork is next to the plate.)
- Peux-tu mettre les verres sur la table ? (Can you put the glasses on the table?)
- Les couteaux sont derrière les assiettes. (The knives are behind the plates.)
Practical Use Through Dialogue
The lesson provides dialogues where you describe and arrange tableware for guests, ask about the placement of items, and verify if everything is correctly positioned. This will help reinforce vocabulary and the correct use of prepositions in everyday contexts.
Verb Practice in Present Tense
Important verbs include laver (to wash), couper (to cut), mettre (to put), and essuyer (to dry/wipe). Conjugations and exercises help you practice these verbs in sentences like:
- Je lave les assiettes avant de mettre la table. (I wash the plates before setting the table.)
- Tu coupes les légumes pour la salade. (You cut the vegetables for the salad.)
Mini-Story for Context
A short story lets you see vocabulary and verbs in a practical scenario: preparing the table before guests arrive, washing dishes, cutting bread and vegetables, and placing napkins accordingly.
Notes on Language Differences and Useful Phrases
French uses many prepositions of place that differ slightly from English:
- devant
- à côté de
- sur
- derrière
In French, articles are required before objects (la fourchette, le couteau), unlike English which often omits them (the knife). Verbs like mettre correspond to 'to put' in English, but match different expressions depending on context.
Useful expressions include:
- Où est la fourchette ? (Where is the fork?)
- Peux-tu mettre les verres sur la table ? (Can you put the glasses on the table?)
- Il faut essuyer la table. (You have to wipe the table.)
Mastering these phrases and the vocabulary will enable you to confidently describe everyday situations around dining and table settings in French.
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