PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
📞🔧

How to Say ‘I'll call a plumber.’ in French

Je vais appeler un plombier.

zhuh veh ah-PLAY uhn plohn-BYAY

[zhuh veh ah-PLAY uhn plohn-BYAY]

🇫🇷 In France: In France it's usually the landlord who arranges and pays for repairs to fixtures like the water heater. That's why she, not the tenant, calls the plumber.

Phrase Breakdown

Je vais appeler

zhuh veh ah-PLAY

I'm going to call

This is the near future: 'aller' + infinitive. Say 'zheu-vé-za-plé' with a light z link.

Example

Je vais appeler ma mère.

I'm going to call my mother.

Words in this phrase

Je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

vais

[veh]

am going to

Present tense of 'go,' used to express future intention.

Example

Je vais préparer le dîner.

I am going to prepare dinner.

appeler

[ah-PLAY]

to call

Infinitive verb meaning to phone someone or call out to them.

Example

Je vais appeler le restaurant.

I'm going to call the restaurant.

un plombier.

uhn plohn-BYAY

a plumber.

Say 'uhn plon-byé'. The 'b' and the final 'r' are silent.

Example

Le plombier arrive.

The plumber is arriving.

Words in this phrase

un

[uhn]

a / one

Indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un café peut être une bonne occasion de discuter.

A coffee can be a good opportunity to talk.

plombier

[plohn-BYAY]

plumber

A tradesperson who repairs pipes, taps and water heaters.

Example

Le plombier répare le chauffe-eau.

The plumber is fixing the water heater.

Related guides

The Most Common French Verbs: the 20 You'll Actually UseThe 20 most common French verbs, with the present-tense forms you need, real example sentences with native audio, and two shortcuts for past and future.Babbel vs Pimsleur: Reading Your Way In or Listening Your Way In?Babbel vs Pimsleur: short structured lessons on screen versus 30-minute audio lessons you answer out loud. Which gets you speaking, and which fits your day.

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

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet 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