✅🚧🏞️

How to Say ‘Yes, but there's roadwork along the riverbank.’ in French

Si, mais il y a des travaux sur les quais.

see meh eel ee ah day trah-VOH sur leh KAY

[see meh eel ee ah day trah-VOH sur leh KAY]

💬 Usage Tip: Si is a "yes" used only to contradict a negative statement or question. If you said "isn't it shorter?", the answer is si, not oui.

Phrase Breakdown

Si, mais il y a

see meh eel ee ah

Yes it is, but there are

'Si' means 'yes' when contradicting a negative question. Link 'mais il' smoothly: 'meh-zeel-ya'.

Example

Si, mais il y a un problème.

Yes, but there's a problem.

Words in this phrase

[see]

yes

Affirmative, confirming something.

Example

Si, bien sûr!

Yes, of course!

mais

[meh]

But

Used to introduce a contrast.

Example

Il est petit mais fort.

He is small but strong.

[eel]

Impersonal subject used for weather expressions.

Example

Aujourd'hui, il fait beau.

Today, the weather is nice.

[ee]

there

In or at that place.

Example

Y a-t-il une solution?

Is there a solution?

[ah]

has

Used with a past participle to form the present perfect tense.

Example

Elle a visité Paris.

She has visited Paris.

des travaux

day trah-VOH

roadworks

Construction work on the road. The final 'x' is silent: 'day tra-VO'.

Example

Attention, des travaux !

Watch out, roadworks!

Words in this phrase

des

[day]

some

Indicating a portion or number of something.

Example

Des livres sont sur la table.

Some books are on the table.

travaux

[trah-VOH]

roadworks / construction

Plural of 'travail'; here means building or road works.

Example

Il y a des travaux dans la rue.

There are roadworks in the street.

sur les quais.

sur leh KAY

on the riverside roads.

Says where the works are. 'Les quais' sounds like 'lay KAY'.

Example

Il y a un marché sur les quais.

There's a market on the riverbanks.

Words in this phrase

sur

[sur]

Indicates position in relation to a surface.

Example

Nous avançons sur ce chemin en ton absence.

We proceed on this path in your absence.

les

[leh]

the

Used before plural nouns to denote particularity.

Example

Les années passent vite.

The years pass quickly.

quais

[KAY]

embankments

Riverside roads, e.g. along the Seine.

Example

On roule sur les quais.

We drive along the embankments.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer