Skip to content

Paper Together: sit a paper in a room with your friends.See how it works

Communication strategies: understand, rephrase, repair – GCSE French

Foundation and Higher · Grade 4

What to do when you do not understand or do not know a word: ask for repetition, describe the word, rephrase, use fillers, correct yourself and keep going in French.

Objectives

Explained

Why strategies matter

Everyone, even a French speaker, sometimes does not understand or cannot find a word. What matters is how you cope. In the speaking tests, a repair strategy is rewarded: if you ask for repetition and then answer correctly, you get the same marks as if you had understood at once. In writing and reading, strategies help you work out unknown words or find another way to say what you mean.

Strategies are not tricks; they are real skills of communication. They keep you speaking in French, show your range, and reduce stress. Learn a small set of sentences for each strategy and use them with confidence. Tap the words to hear them.

When you do not understand

Say it in French and politely. «Pardon ?» «Comment ?» «Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?» «Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement ?» «Je n'ai pas compris.» «Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ?» «Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?» If you understood part: «J'ai compris le début, mais pas la fin.» You can also check your understanding: «Vous voulez dire que…?» or «Si je comprends bien, vous me demandez si…».

Use «vous» with the examiner unless told otherwise, and «tu» with a friend in a role play. Do not say «quoi ?», which is rude. Use gestures and a friendly face. In listening, if you miss a word, keep going: the context will often help you. In reading, skip the word and come back.

Check

What is the polite way to ask an examiner to say something again?

  1. Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
  2. Quoi ?
  3. Encore.
Show answer

Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? It is polite, uses vous and is a full request.

When you do not know a word

This technique is called circumlocution: talk around the word. Describe what it is for: «C'est un objet qu'on utilise pour écrire» (a pen). Describe what it looks like: «C'est grand et rond et on le met sur la table» (a plate). Give a category: «C'est un animal, il vit dans l'eau» (a fish). Say the opposite: «Le contraire de grand» (small). Give an example: «Par exemple, du lait ou du jus».

You can also use a similar word you know: «une chose pour…», «un endroit où…», «une personne qui…». Use a cognate with a French ending: «le problème», «la situation». Ask: «Comment dit-on… en français ?» only as a last resort. The aim is to keep speaking French, show vocabulary and be understood.

Fillers and time-buyers

Fillers keep the conversation going while you think. «Alors…», «Euh…», «Voyons…», «Eh bien…», «En fait…», «C'est-à-dire que…», «Comment dire…», «Laissez-moi réfléchir…», «Attendez…». Use one or two in each answer but do not overuse them. Also use phrases that show you are thinking about the question: «C'est une bonne question», «Je dirais que…», «Alors, d'abord…».

Do not say «um» or «er» in English. Do not stay silent for more than a couple of seconds. If you are stuck, say something simple: «Je ne sais pas trop, mais je pense que…». Then give an answer, even a basic one. The fluency criterion rewards a natural flow, not perfection. Keep your voice steady and calm.

Check

Which is a good French filler while you think?

  1. Voyons...
  2. Um...
  3. Er...
Show answer

Voyons... Voyons is a natural French filler; um and er are English.

Rephrasing and simplifying

If a sentence is going wrong, stop and say it a simpler way. Instead of a complicated passive, say «On a construit la maison en 1990». Instead of a long relative clause, use two short sentences. Use «c'est» and an adjective: «C'est important». Change the verb: if you cannot remember «se plaindre», say «Je ne suis pas content». Choose the language you know.

Also paraphrase to check meaning: «Vous voulez dire que c'est trop cher ?» and «En d'autres termes, c'est difficile». In writing, if you do not know a word, use one you know: «un grand magasin» instead of «un centre commercial», «une personne âgée» instead of «un retraité». This is not cheating: it shows you can adapt. But keep accuracy, so choose simple structures you control.

Correcting yourself

Everyone makes mistakes. When you notice one, correct it calmly: «Pardon, je voulais dire…», «Non, excusez-moi…», «Plus exactement…». For example: «Je suis allé… pardon, je suis allée au cinéma». A quick correction shows awareness of accuracy and does not lose marks. Do not repeat the same error several times and do not apologise for ages.

In writing, cross out neatly with one line and write the correct word above. In listening, if you realise a number was wrong, write the right one clearly. In speaking, keep going after a slip. Examiners reward communication, so a minor error should not stop you.

Check

You said "Je suis allé" but you are a girl. What do you say?

  1. Pardon, je suis allée.
  2. I am sorry.
  3. Never mind.
Show answer

Pardon, je suis allée. A brief correction in French shows accuracy and keeps the flow.

Practice dialogues

Dialogue 1 (not understanding). Examiner: «Qu'avez-vous fait récemment pour vous détendre ?» You: «Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?» Examiner: «Qu'est-ce que vous avez fait pour vous détendre ?» You: «Alors, hier, j'ai écouté de la musique et j'ai regardé un film.»

Dialogue 2 (forgotten word). You: «J'ai acheté un… comment dire… un objet qu'on utilise quand il pleut.» Examiner: «Un parapluie ?» You: «Oui, exactement, un parapluie.» Practise these with a partner: one plays the examiner, the other uses the strategy. Swap roles. Record and listen: are you polite and clear?

Exam tips: using strategies

Know your strategies by heart: three phrases to ask for repetition, three fillers, three ways to describe a word. In the exam, do not feel embarrassed: examiners expect you to ask for repetition at times. Do not overuse them either: aim to answer most questions directly and use strategies only when needed.

In writing, a similar approach works: if you cannot spell a word, use another. If you do not know a verb, use a simpler one. In reading, guess the meaning of new words from context. In all papers, keep going and never leave a blank. The best language learners are those who communicate despite gaps.

Check

What is the aim of a communication strategy?

  1. To keep communicating in French despite a problem.
  2. To switch to English.
  3. To avoid the question.
Show answer

To keep communicating in French despite a problem. Strategies help you stay in French and still get your message across.

Key points

Worked examples

Example 1

You did not hear the question. Say what you would ask (vous).

  1. Say pardon.
  2. Ask for repetition: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
  3. Add s'il vous plaît.

Answer: Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?

Common slips
  • Slip: quoi Quoi is impolite.
  • Slip: repeat Say it in French.
  • Slip: sans s'il vous plaît Be polite.

Example 2

You cannot remember the word for "bakery". Say what you would say to describe it.

  1. Describe the place: C'est un endroit.
  2. Say what it is for: où on achète du pain.
  3. Join: C'est un endroit où on achète du pain.

Answer: C'est un endroit où on achète du pain.

Common slips
  • Slip: bakery Do not use English.
  • Slip: où on vend le pain pas Où on achète du pain.
  • Slip: c'est un endroit pain Keep a full sentence.

Example 3

You made a mistake with the verb. Correct yourself, and then say your answer more simply.

  1. Correct: Pardon, je voulais dire...
  2. Simplify: Je ne suis pas content.
  3. Continue: parce que c'est trop cher.

Answer: Pardon, je voulais dire : je ne suis pas content, parce que c'est trop cher.

Common slips
  • Slip: sorry Say it in French.
  • Slip: je me plains pas content Choose a verb you know.
  • Slip: stop Keep going.

Questions and answers

Try each one, then open the answer.

Question 1 Easy

Translate into French: Could you repeat, please? (vous)

Show answer

Answer: Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît

  1. Pouvez-vous répéter.
  2. S'il vous plaît.

Question 2 Easy

Translate into French: I did not understand.

Show answer

Answer: Je n'ai pas compris

  1. Perfect negative.
  2. N'ai pas compris.

Question 3 Easy

Translate into French: What does that mean?

Show answer

Answer: Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire

  1. Qu'est-ce que.
  2. Vouloir dire.

Question 4 Easy

Translate into French: Let me think.

Show answer

Answer: Laissez-moi réfléchir

  1. Laissez-moi.
  2. Réfléchir.

Question 5 Medium

Translate into French: It is an object that you use to write. (describe a pen)

Show answer

Answer: C'est un objet qu'on utilise pour écrire

  1. Un objet qu'on utilise.
  2. Pour écrire.

Question 6 Medium

Translate into French: It is a place where you buy bread. (describe a bakery)

Show answer

Answer: C'est un endroit où on achète du pain

  1. Un endroit où.
  2. Du pain.

Question 7 Medium

Translate into French: Sorry, I meant to say that I prefer tea.

Show answer

Answer: Pardon, je voulais dire que je préfère le thé

  1. Je voulais dire que.
  2. Je préfère le thé.

Question 8 Medium

Translate into French: If I understand correctly, you want to know where I live. (vous)

Show answer

Answer: Si je comprends bien, vous voulez savoir où j'habite

  1. Si je comprends bien.
  2. Vous voulez savoir.

Question 9 Hard

Translate into French: Could you speak more slowly, please? I did not understand the end of the question. (vous)

Show answer

Answer: Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ? Je n'ai pas compris la fin de la question

  1. Pourriez-vous.
  2. Je n'ai pas compris.

Question 10 Hard

Translate into French: In other words, the problem is that it is too expensive for young people.

Show answer

Answer: En d'autres termes, le problème, c'est que c'est trop cher pour les jeunes

  1. En d'autres termes.
  2. Pour les jeunes.

Question 11 Hard

Translate into French: It is something that you wear on your head when it is cold. (describe a hat)

Show answer

Answer: C'est quelque chose qu'on porte sur la tête quand il fait froid

  1. Quelque chose que.
  2. Quand il fait froid.

Question 12 Hard

What does "Excusez-moi, je voulais dire : plus exactement, je préfère la montagne" mean?

Show answer

Answer: Excuse me, I meant to say: more precisely, I prefer the mountains

  1. Je voulais dire is I meant.
  2. Plus exactement is more exactly.

Exam-style questions

Longer tasks with the marking points. These are Yumio practice questions.

Exam-style question 15 marks

You are in a speaking test. Write the French you would say: (a) you did not hear the question, (b) you cannot remember the word for "umbrella" (describe it), (c) you need a moment to think. [5 marks]

Show answer

Answer: Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? C'est un objet qu'on utilise quand il pleut. Voyons...

  1. Pouvez-vous répéter.
  2. C'est un objet qu'on utilise.
  3. Filler.
  • Mark (2): A correct request for repetition
  • Mark (2): A clear description in French
  • Mark (1): A French filler

Exam-style question 26 marks

Write a short exchange (about 40 words) in French in which you do not understand a question, ask for clarification, correct a small mistake and give your answer. [6 marks]

Show answer

Answer: Pardon, je n'ai pas bien compris. Pourriez-vous répéter ? Ah oui. Alors, je suis allé... pardon, je suis allée au cinéma samedi dernier avec mes amis, et c'était génial parce que le film était drôle.

  1. Clarification.
  2. Self-correction.
  3. Developed answer.
  • Mark (2): Clarification in French
  • Mark (2): A correction in French
  • Mark (2): A developed answer with a reason

Common mistakes

  1. Saying quoi ?

    Say pardon ? or comment ?

  2. Switching to English

    Describe the word in French.

  3. Staying silent

    Use a filler or ask for repetition.

  4. Using tu with the examiner

    Use vous.

  5. Overusing strategies

    Answer directly when you can.

Back to all exam skills pages or the GCSE French hub.

Practise free

Start free

Yumio is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Pearson Edexcel or any other exam board.

Next topicPractise free