#237 Asking Staff to Set the GPS in a Rental Car｜French Daily Life Phrases

When you use a rental car, there are situations where you may need to ask the staff to set up the GPS so that you can reach your destination smoothly.

Especially in unfamiliar areas, it is often more reassuring to confirm the settings with a staff member rather than doing it on your own.

In this section, I will explain useful French expressions for asking someone to set the GPS in a rental car, following the flow of a typical conversation.

Dialogue

A

Excusez-moi, je ne suis pas sûr de savoir utiliser le GPS.
（Excuse me, I am not sure I know how to use the GPS.）

B

Pas de problème, je peux vous aider.
（No problem, I can help you.）

A

Pourriez-vous entrer l’adresse dans le GPS, s’il vous plaît ?
（Could you enter the address into the GPS, please?）

B

Bien sûr. Quelle est votre destination ?
（Of course. What is your destination?）

A

C’est un hôtel près de la gare centrale.
（It is a hotel near the central station.）

B

Très bien, je vais le configurer.
（Very well, I will set it up.）

A

Merci beaucoup.
（Thank you very much.）

1. Explaining Your Situation

When you want to ask for help with the GPS, I recommend first explaining your situation—namely, that you are not confident in using it.

The expression “je suis sûr de ~” means “to be sure of ~” or “to be confident about ~.”

When the negative form “ne … pas” is added, it creates the nuance of “not being confident” or “feeling unsure.” This allows you to express your difficulty in a softer and less direct way, rather than simply saying that you cannot do it.

It is also worth noting that “savoir + infinitive” means “to know how to do something.”

Unlike “être capable de ~,” which focuses more on ability, “savoir + infinitive” is generally used for something based on knowledge or learned skill.

That is why “savoir utiliser le GPS” means “to know how to operate the GPS.”

2. Asking Someone to Set the GPS

When you want to ask someone to enter the destination for you, it is important to use a polite request form.

The form “pourriez-vous” is an inverted question using the present conditional of “pouvoir” (to be able to). Compared with “pouvez-vous,” the conditional form sounds more polite and considerate.

In other words, “pourriez-vous” has the nuance of “Would it be possible for you to … ?” and is therefore very useful in service situations.

Also, “entrer l’adresse” means “to enter the address.” Here, the verb “entrer” does not mean simply “to enter” in the physical sense. It is used to mean “to input” information into a machine or system.

This verb is commonly used with devices such as GPS systems, ATMs, and smartphones.

3. Stating the Destination

When someone is setting the GPS for you, it is important to explain your destination as clearly as possible.

This is a polite question that staff may use when asking where you would like to go.

The word “quelle” is an interrogative adjective, and it modifies the noun “destination.” Together, the phrase means “which destination” or “what destination.”

The expression “c’est ~” is commonly used when identifying or describing a place or facility. It is especially useful when you want to explain your destination in a simple and natural way.

Also, “près de + noun” means “near ~.” Since this expression gives an approximate location, it is helpful even when you do not know the exact address.

In this sentence, the noun “un hôtel” identifies the destination, and “près de ~” adds a more precise description of its location.

Summary