Cinq minutes sous la pluie
On a rainy Clichy bus, Nora must choose between helping with a stroller and arriving on time.
Today's learning
- 2-minute story
- 14 useful words
- 3 comprehension questions
- A2 French
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your French story — tap highlighted words when you need help
À 8 h 12, le bus 62 était déjà devant la de Clichy. , et les sentaient le manteau mouillé. Nora tenait son sac contre elle; elle dans sa tête la phrase pour son : « Je travaillais à l'. » Au troisième arrêt, une femme montait avec une , mais personne ne . Le attendait, les portes ouvertes. Nora avait une près de la fenêtre. Si elle assise, elle arrivait ; si elle aidait, peut-être pas. Elle s'est levée et a souri: « ? » , elles la poussette, , entre deux sacs. La femme disait merci, un peu . Le bus quand Nora a vu son téléphone: un message du . « Cinq minutes de , . » Nora respirait . Dehors, Clichy brillait sous la pluie, et le bus .
Show full English translation
At 8:12, the 62 bus was already packed in front of Clichy town hall. It was raining, and the windows smelled like wet coats. Nora held her bag close; in her head, she kept repeating the line for her interview: “I worked at reception.” At the third stop, a woman was getting on with a stroller, but no one moved. The driver waited with the doors open. Nora had a seat by the window. If she stayed seated, she would arrive on time; if she helped, maybe not. She stood up and smiled: “Can I help you?” Together, they folded the stroller carefully between two bags. The woman kept thanking her, a little embarrassed. The bus was pulling away when Nora saw her phone: a message from the recruiter. “Five minutes late is no problem.” Nora could finally breathe. Outside, Clichy shone in the rain, and the bus moved on.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A2 French Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Why is Nora worried about being late?
Correct: She is going to a job interview.
The phrase « son entretien » means her interview; here it is a work-related meeting with a recruiter.
2. What choice does Nora make on the bus?
Correct: She stands up and helps fold the stroller.
« Je vous aide? » is a polite, quick offer to a stranger. Using vous fits the bus setting.
3. What does the imparfait do in this story?
Correct: It describes the background and ongoing scene.
In « Il pleuvait » and « le bus repartait », the imparfait gives atmosphere or an action already in progress.
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Patterns to reuse
Setting the scene with imparfait
Il pleuvait, et les vitres sentaient le manteau mouillé.
It was raining, and the windows smelled like wet coats.
To set a scene in French, you can start with:
imparfait + sensory detail
- Il pleuvait.
- Le bus était plein.
- Les vitres sentaient le manteau mouillé.
Use the imparfait to create background and atmosphere before the main action.
A short, polite offer
Je vous aide?
Can I help you?
For a quick polite offer, use:
Je vous + verb ?
- Je vous aide?
- Je vous ouvre?
- Je vous laisse la place?
With vous, the offer feels polite and natural with a stranger on public transport.
Thinking through a choice
Si elle restait assise, elle arrivait à l'heure.
If she stayed seated, she would arrive on time.
For a quiet thought or imagined option, French can use:
Si + imparfait, imparfait
- Si elle restait assise, elle arrivait à l'heure.
- Si elle aidait, peut-être pas.
- Si je pars maintenant, j'arrive à l'heure.
This frame is useful for showing two possible outcomes in a small everyday choice.
Translator's Note
"The bus is set near the mairie de Clichy, a real everyday anchor in the Paris area rather than a postcard landmark. I translated « pas de souci » as “no problem” because it sounds warm and casual in this context; it reassures Nora without making the recruiter sound overly formal."
Story complete
You just understood 149 French words.
- 14 new expressions
- 1 grammar pattern
- A2 level unlocked
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