#112 Using a Gym｜French Daily-Life Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#167 Asking for Help After Losing a Wallet｜French Everyday Expressions
Izumi
Losing a wallet while abroad can be extremely stressful.
If it contains cash, credit cards, or identification documents, it is important to inform someone nearby as soon as possible and take appropriate action without delay.
In this section, I will explain in detail useful French expressions for asking for help after losing a wallet, along with key language points.
Contents
Dialogue
Excusez-moi, j’ai un problème. Je crois que j’ai perdu mon portefeuille.
（Excuse me, I have a problem. I think I may have lost my wallet.）
Vous savez où cela a pu se produire ?
（Do you know where it might have happened?）
Je m’en suis rendu compte il y a une dizaine de minutes, près de la station de métro.
（I realized it about ten minutes ago, near the metro station.）
Est-ce que votre portefeuille contenait des documents importants ?
（Did your wallet contain any important documents?）
Oui, il y avait mes cartes bancaires et ma carte d’identité.
（Yes, it contained my bank cards and my identity card.）
Dans ce cas, je vous conseille de contacter la police et de faire opposition immédiatement.
（In that case, I recommend contacting the police and blocking your cards immediately.）
Oui, je comprends.
（Yes, I understand.）
1. Explaining That a Problem Has Occurred
When you lose your wallet, the first step is to make the other person understand that you are dealing with a serious issue.
Example
- Excusez-moi, j’ai un problème.
（Excuse me, I have a problem.）
Even this single sentence clearly signals that the situation is not a routine question and requires attention.
Example
- Je crois que j’ai perdu mon portefeuille.
（I think I may have lost my wallet.）
The key expression here is “je crois que” (I think that). It conveys uncertainty and suggests that the situation is likely but not yet fully confirmed.
At a stage when it is still unclear whether the wallet was stolen or simply misplaced, this phrasing is particularly appropriate.
2. Explaining When and Where You Noticed the Loss
The next important step is to clarify the situation. To help the other person understand, I recommend explaining both when and where you noticed the loss.
Example
- Je m’en suis rendu compte il y a une dizaine de minutes, près de la station de métro.
（I realized it about ten minutes ago, near the metro station.）
The expression “se rendre compte de” means “to realize” or “to become aware of.” Here, it refers not to the moment the wallet was lost, but to the moment you noticed the loss.
“Il y a une dizaine de minutes” means “about ten minutes ago.” In situations like this, an approximate time is sufficient; absolute precision is not required.
Adding a location using “près de …” (near …) makes the explanation clearer.
Related Expressions
- près d’un magasin : near a shop
- dans un café : in a café
- dans le bus : on the bus
3. Explaining What Was Inside the Wallet
To assess the urgency of the situation, you may be asked whether the wallet contained important items.
Example
- Est-ce que votre portefeuille contenait des documents importants ?
（Did your wallet contain any important documents?）
Here, the verb “contenir” (to contain) is used. It is a practical verb that frequently appears in real-life situations.
Example
- Il y avait mes cartes bancaires et ma carte d’identité.
（It contained my bank cards and my identity card.）
The structure “il y avait …”, using the imperfect tense of “avoir,” is useful for describing what was inside the wallet in the past.
Related Expressions
- de l’argent liquide : cash
- un permis de conduire : a driver’s license
- une carte de transport : a transit card
4. Receiving Advice or Instructions
Once the situation has been explained, the other person may suggest specific actions to take next.
Example
- Je vous conseille de contacter la police.
（I recommend contacting the police.）
The expression “je vous conseille de …” is a polite way to give practical advice rather than a direct order.
When bank cards are involved, the following expression is commonly used:
Example
- faire opposition
（to block a card / to place a stop on card usage）
Knowing this phrase is especially helpful when reporting a lost card to the police or a bank.
Summary
Key French Phrases
- J’ai un problème. Je crois que j’ai perdu mon portefeuille.
→ Used to explain that there is a possibility your wallet has been lost. - Je m’en suis rendu compte il y a ～ minutes.
→ Used to explain when you noticed the loss. - près de ～ / dans ～
→ Used to indicate the approximate location where the loss may have occurred. - Il y avait ～ dans mon portefeuille.
→ A convenient way to describe what was inside the wallet. - Je vous conseille de ～ / faire opposition.
→ Expressions used when receiving advice on what actions to take next.
