Complaints & Problems
Complaints & Problems
Making a polite-but-firm complaint — about a product, service, or situation — is both a real-world skill and a classic writing prompt (the 'problem email' format practiced in the next lesson).
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
je suis déçu(e) que + subjonctif (preview) vs. je suis déçu(e) de + infinitif
Je suis déçu que le colis soit arrivé en retard. / Je suis déçu d'avoir attendu si longtemps.
I'm disappointed that the package arrived late. / I'm disappointed to have waited so long.
English 'I'm disappointed that...' never changes the following verb's mood no matter who the subjects are. French emotion verbs like être déçu trigger subjonctif in the que-clause specifically when the two clauses have different subjects (I'm disappointed, the package arrived) — full subjonctif treatment comes at B2 (lesson 40). When the subject stays the same across both parts of the sentence, French switches to de + infinitive instead (je suis déçu d'avoir attendu, 'I'm disappointed to have waited', no separate subject, no subjonctif needed). For now, just recognize these two patterns in set complaint phrases rather than producing the subjonctif freely.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| se plaindre de | suh plan-druh duh | to complain about |
| un problème | uhn proh-BLEM | a problem |
| un défaut | uhn day-FOH | a defect/flaw |
| endommagé(e) | ahn-doh-mah-ZHAY | damaged |
| rembourser | rahm-boor-SAY | to refund |
| un remboursement | uhn rahm-boors-uh-MAHN | a refund |
| réclamer | ray-klah-MAY | to demand/claim |
| une réclamation | un ray-klah-mah-see-OHN | a complaint (formal) |
| insatisfait(e) | an-sah-tees-FEH | dissatisfied |
| décevant(e) | days-VAHN | disappointing |
| un dédommagement | uhn day-doh-mahzh-MAHN | compensation |
| exiger | ex-ee-ZHAY | to demand/require |
| à plusieurs reprises | ah plu-zyur ruh-PREEZ | on several occasions |