Relocating

Lesson Overview: Relocating

This B1-level lesson focuses on essential vocabulary and expressions used when talking about relocating, moving to a new home, or changing your place of residence in French. You will learn practical words and phrases that help describe the process of moving, such as dealing with housing, transporting belongings, and notifying contacts of your new address.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

• Déménager – to move (house)
• Un déménagement – a move, the act of moving house
• Un logement – accommodation, housing
• Un appartement / une maison – apartment / house
• Emménager – to move in
• Un contrat de location – rental contract
• Les cartons – moving boxes
• Faire une demande de changement d’adresse – to request an address change

Common Phrases for Relocating

• "Je déménage le mois prochain." (I am moving next month.)
• "Nous allons emménager dans un nouvel appartement." (We are going to move into a new apartment.)
• "Je dois préparer mes cartons avant le déménagement." (I have to prepare my boxes before moving.)
• "Avez-vous signé le contrat de location?" (Have you signed the rental contract?)

Language Tips and Differences

Unlike English, where "move" can be used broadly, French distinguishes between déménager (to move house) and bouger (to move physically or change position). Also, the verb emménager means to move in or start living at the new place, which has no simple single English equivalent but corresponds to "move into".

When talking about the process, French often uses faire un déménagement or simply déménager for "to move," whereas English might say "to relocate" or "to move house." Additionally, French uses les cartons (literally "the cartons") to refer to moving boxes, a useful word to know in practical contexts.

Summary

This lesson equips you with useful terms and expressions related to relocating in French. You will understand and talk about planning a move, organizing your belongings, and notifying relevant people or services. Mastering these terms will help you confidently handle conversations and written communication about moving to a new home.