Something is broken in the apartment in French

1. 1
   fuite/fɥit/

   leaknoun

   Liquid or gas escaping through a hole.
2. 2
   robinet/ʁɔbinɛ/

   tapnoun

   A device you turn to make water flow.
3. 3
   chaudière/ʃodjɛʁ/

   boilernoun

   A device that heats the water in a home.
4. 4

   pannebreakdown

5. 5

   plombierplumber

6. 6

   bouchéblocked

7. 7

   réparerto repair

8. 8

   déboucherto unblock

9. 9

   ampoulelight bulb

10. 10

    humiditédamp

The sentences3 of 10

1. Il y a une fuite sous l'évier de la cuisine.

   There's a leak under the kitchen sink.

2. Le robinet de la cuisine fuit depuis ce matin.

   The kitchen tap has been leaking since this morning.

3. La chaudière fait un bruit bizarre depuis hier soir.

   The boiler has been making a strange noise since last night.

Pronunciation

• fuite/fɥit/

  The final t is pronounced, as in "suite".

• robinet/ʁɔbinɛ/

  The final t is silent: the ending sounds like « lait ».

Good to know

état des lieux

A move-in and move-out inspection is done, noting the condition of each room. Keep a copy, since it is the reference if there is a disagreement.

propriétaire

When something goes wrong, you tell the landlord or the agency that manages the place first, often by phone and then in writing. A written message records the date you reported it.

assurance habitation

Tenants generally have to be insured for their home, and the policy covers water damage, among other things. Tell the insurer quickly if a leak damages a wall or ceiling.

charges

Rent often comes with charges, which cover some of the building's costs. Whether the tenant or the landlord pays for something depends on the contract and on the kind of repair.

Questions

How do you say the kitchen tap is leaking in French?

You say « Le robinet de la cuisine fuit depuis ce matin. » A leak under the sink is « Il y a une fuite sous l'évier de la cuisine. »