#111 Picking Up Clothes at a Dry Cleaner｜French Daily-Life Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#161 Reporting a Problem with Hotel Facilities｜French Daily Life Phrases
Izumi
When staying at a hotel, you may notice issues with room facilities, such as a shower not working properly, an air conditioner that does not cool, or lights that fail to turn on.
In such situations, it is important to inform the front desk or hotel staff as soon as possible and discuss how the issue can be resolved.
In this article, I explain useful French expressions for reporting problems with hotel facilities, following the natural flow of an actual conversation.
Contents
Dialogue
Excusez-moi, j’ai un petit souci dans ma chambre.
（Excuse me, I’m having a small issue in my room.）
De quoi s’agit-il exactement ?
（Could you tell me exactly what the problem is?）
La climatisation ne fonctionne pas correctement. Elle fait du bruit, mais l’air ne refroidit pas.
（The air conditioning is not working properly. It makes noise, but the air is not cooling.）
Est-ce que le problème dure depuis longtemps ?
（Has this problem been going on for a long time?）
Oui, depuis hier soir. J’ai essayé de l’éteindre et de la rallumer, mais ça n’a rien changé.
（Yes, since last night. I tried turning it off and on again, but nothing changed.）
D’accord. Nous allons envoyer quelqu’un pour vérifier cela rapidement.
（I understand. We will send someone to check it as soon as possible.）
Merci beaucoup. Je vous en suis reconnaissant.
（Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.）
1. Informing the Staff About the Situation
When reporting a problem, you can begin by calmly stating that there is an issue in your room.
Example
- J’ai un petit souci dans ma chambre.
（I’m having a small issue in my room.）
The phrase “petit souci” means “a small problem.” It helps soften the situation and allows you to raise the issue in a calm and polite manner.
Related Expressions
- Il y a un problème dans ma chambre.
（There is a problem in my room.） - Je rencontre un souci avec un équipement.
（I am experiencing an issue with a piece of equipment.）
2. Explaining the Problem in Detail
When describing the issue, it is important to be as specific as possible.
Example
- La climatisation ne fonctionne pas correctement. Elle fait du bruit, mais l’air ne refroidit pas.
（The air conditioning is not working properly. It makes noise, but the air is not cooling.）
The key point in this sentence is the contrast created by mais (“but”).
In the first part, “elle fait du bruit,” you indicate that the unit is operating to some extent.
In the second part, “l’air ne refroidit pas,” you explain that it is not performing its essential function.
This phrasing clearly communicates that the appliance is not completely broken, but it is not functioning normally either.
3. Saying When the Problem Started
To help identify the cause, hotel staff may ask when the problem began.
Example
- Est-ce que le problème dure depuis longtemps ?
（Has the problem been going on for a long time?）
Response
- Oui, depuis hier soir.
（Yes, since last night.）
The preposition “depuis” means “from … until now” and indicates that the problem has continued over a period of time.
It is also helpful to mention any steps you have already taken.
Example
- J’ai essayé de l’éteindre et de la rallumer, mais ça n’a rien changé.
（I tried turning it off and on again, but nothing changed.）
The structure “essayer de + verb” means “to try to do something.”
The phrase “ne … rien” is a negative expression meaning “nothing,” indicating that your attempt had no effect.
4. Confirming the Hotel’s Response
After reporting the issue, the hotel staff will explain how they plan to handle it.
Example
- Nous allons envoyer quelqu’un pour vérifier cela rapidement.
（We will send someone to check it promptly.）
The expression “envoyer quelqu’un” means “to send someone,” and “pour vérifier” means “in order to check.” Both are commonly used in hotel service situations.
If you are concerned about timing, you may ask:
Example
- Savez-vous quand quelqu’un pourra venir ?
（Do you know when someone will be able to come?）
Summary
Key French Phrases
- J’ai un petit souci dans ma chambre.
→ Used to introduce a problem politely. - … ne fonctionne pas correctement.
→ Used to explain that a facility is not working properly. - Elle fait du bruit, mais …
→ Useful for adding details and contrast. - Depuis hier / depuis ce matin.
→ Used to indicate when the problem started. - Nous allons envoyer quelqu’un pour vérifier.
→ A standard phrase used by hotel staff to explain their response.
