Shopping quantities and needs
After a quantity expression, French normally uses : , , , .
This is true even when the noun is plural: . The quantity word carries the main meaning, and links it to the thing.
A very useful chunk is for 'you need / it is necessary'. At this level, learn it as a fixed expression: ,
Some quantity expressions are very common in shops and markets: , , , , .
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| a kilo of tomatoes | ||
| a kilo of tomatoes | ||
| two kilos of potatoes | ||
| two kilos of potatoes | ||
| half a kilo of cheese | ||
| half a kilo of cheese | ||
| a bottle of milk | ||
| a bottle of milk | ||
| a lot of fish | ||
| a lot of fish | ||
| You need / It is necessary to have a map. | ||
| You need / It is necessary to have a map. | ||
Je voudrais un kilo de tomates.I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
Il faut deux kilos de pommes de terre.You need two kilos of potatoes.
Nous achetons beaucoup de pommes pour le café.We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
Je prends une bouteille de lait.I am taking a bottle of milk.
Lukas, il faut un demi-kilo de fromage.Lukas, you need half a kilo of cheese.
Lena, il faut une liste de courses.Lena, you need a shopping list.
Ça fait douze euros cinquante pour tout.That comes to twelve euros fifty for everything.
Voilà dix kilos de pommes.Here are ten kilos of apples.
The expression is impersonal: it always uses , not a full set of subject forms. With a noun it says what is needed: . With an infinitive it gives a necessity: . We use the quantity expression as a chunk here and practise obligations again later.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
.
You need two kilos of potatoes.
.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Je voudrais un kilo tomates.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
Il faut deux kilos pommes de terre.
You need two kilos of potatoes.
Nous achetons beaucoup pommes pour le café.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
Je prends une bouteille lait.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
Lukas, il faut un demi-kilo fromage.
Lukas, you need half a kilo of cheese.
Lena, il faut une liste courses.
Lena, you need a shopping list.
Ça fait douze euros cinquante tout.
That comes to twelve euros fifty for everything.
Voilà dix kilos pommes.
Here are ten kilos of apples.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Nous achetons beaucoup pommes pour le café.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
Je prends une bouteille lait.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
Lukas, il faut un demi-kilo fromage.
Lukas, you need half a kilo of cheese.
Lena, il faut une liste courses.
Lena, you need a shopping list.
Ça fait douze euros cinquante tout.
That comes to twelve euros fifty for everything.
Voilà dix kilos pommes.
Here are ten kilos of apples.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
You need two kilos of potatoes.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
Lukas, you need half a kilo of cheese.
Lena, you need a shopping list.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
You need two kilos of potatoes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
You need two kilos of potatoes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
We are buying a lot of apples for the café.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I am taking a bottle of milk.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
