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12.2. Vivre en ville

Talking About City Living

12.2.1. The Main Idea

To talk about city living, use words for places, transportation, neighbourhoods, and daily life.

J’habite en ville.	I live in the city.
J’habite au centre-ville.	I live downtown.
J’habite dans un quartier calme.	I live in a quiet neighbourhood.
La ville est grande et animée.	The city is big and lively.

12.2.2. Places in the City

la ville	the city
le centre-ville	downtown / city centre
un quartier	a neighbourhood
une rue	a street
une avenue	an avenue
une place	a square
un parc	a park
un immeuble	an apartment building
un magasin	a store
un supermarché	a supermarket
une pharmacie	a pharmacy
une banque	a bank
un hôpital	a hospital
une école	a school

12.2.3. Describing a City

grand	big, masculine
grande	big, feminine
petit	small, masculine
petite	small, feminine
moderne	modern
ancien	old / former, masculine
ancienne	old / former, feminine
animé	lively / busy, masculine
animée	lively / busy, feminine
calme	calm / quiet
bruyant	noisy, masculine
bruyante	noisy, feminine
propre	clean
sale	dirty
pratique	convenient / practical

12.2.4. Transportation

les transports en commun	public transportation
le bus	the bus
le métro	the metro / subway
le tramway	the streetcar / tram
le train	the train
le vélo	the bike
une voiture	a car
à pied	on foot
prendre le bus	to take the bus
prendre le métro	to take the metro
aller à pied	to walk / to go on foot

12.2.5. Talking About Getting Around

Je prends le bus.	I take the bus.
Je prends le métro.	I take the metro.
Je vais à l’université à pied.	I go to university on foot.
Je vais au centre-ville en bus.	I go downtown by bus.
Je me déplace en vélo.	I get around by bike.
Il y a beaucoup de transports en commun.	There is a lot of public transportation.

12.2.6. Advantages of City Living

C’est pratique.	It is convenient.
Il y a beaucoup de restaurants.	There are many restaurants.
Il y a beaucoup de magasins.	There are many stores.
Il y a des parcs.	There are parks.
Les transports en commun sont utiles.	Public transportation is useful.
On peut sortir facilement.	You can go out easily.

12.2.7. Disadvantages of City Living

C’est bruyant.	It is noisy.
C’est cher.	It is expensive.
Il y a trop de monde.	There are too many people.
Il y a beaucoup de circulation.	There is a lot of traffic.
Le logement est cher.	Housing is expensive.
C’est parfois stressant.	It is sometimes stressful.

12.2.8. Asking About City Life

Tu habites en ville ?	Do you live in the city?
Tu habites dans quel quartier ?	Which neighbourhood do you live in?
Ton quartier est comment ?	What is your neighbourhood like?
Tu prends les transports en commun ?	Do you take public transportation?
Tu vas au centre-ville souvent ?	Do you go downtown often?
Tu préfères vivre en ville ou à la campagne ?	Do you prefer living in the city or in the countryside?

12.2.9. Comparing City and Countryside

la ville	the city
la campagne	the countryside
La ville est plus animée que la campagne.	The city is livelier than the countryside.
La campagne est plus calme que la ville.	The countryside is quieter than the city.
La ville est plus pratique.	The city is more convenient.
La campagne est moins bruyante.	The countryside is less noisy.

12.2.10. Core Patterns

J’habite en ville.	I live in the city.
J’habite au centre-ville.	I live downtown.
J’habite dans un quartier ___.	I live in a ___ neighbourhood.
Il y a beaucoup de ___.	There are many ___.
C’est ___.	It is ___.
Je prends ___.	I take ___.
Je vais à ___ en bus.	I go to ___ by bus.
Tu préfères vivre en ville ou à la campagne ?	Do you prefer living in the city or in the countryside?

12.2.11. Practice

I live in the city.
I live downtown.
I live in a quiet neighbourhood.
The city is lively.
I take the bus.
I go downtown by bus.
There are many restaurants.
Housing is expensive.
The countryside is quieter than the city.

12.2.12. Answers

I live in the city.	J’habite en ville.
I live downtown.	J’habite au centre-ville.
I live in a quiet neighbourhood.	J’habite dans un quartier calme.
The city is lively.	La ville est animée.
I take the bus.	Je prends le bus.
I go downtown by bus.	Je vais au centre-ville en bus.
There are many restaurants.	Il y a beaucoup de restaurants.
Housing is expensive.	Le logement est cher.
The countryside is quieter than the city.	La campagne est plus calme que la ville.

12.2.13. Short Dialogue

A : Tu habites en ville ?	A: Do you live in the city?
B : Oui, j’habite au centre-ville, dans un quartier animé.	B: Yes, I live downtown, in a lively neighbourhood.
A : Tu prends les transports en commun ?	A: Do you take public transportation?
B : Oui, je prends le bus. C’est pratique.	B: Yes, I take the bus. It is convenient.
A : Tu préfères la ville ou la campagne ?	A: Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
B : Je préfère la ville, parce qu’il y a beaucoup de choses à faire.	B: I prefer the city because there are many things to do.

12.2.14. Checkpoint

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to talk about city living, describe a neighbourhood, name common city places, talk about transportation, and compare life in the city with life in the countryside.

12.2.15. Try It Out

Try saying this in French:

Do you live in the city?

Yes, I live downtown.

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Possible answer:

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