Written by Edwar Manjarrés

Oh, no. It's broken!

In Montreal or Quebec City, to say: en panne (broken, as in France) might sound a little strange when referring to a window broken or a faucet that dripping. 

Here, the difference between your building manager understanding the problem or ignoring it due to a lack of clarity can be summed up in one word: broken (literally broken or shattered).

Reporting a problem in French requires a good command of vocabulary, and if you're in a province like Quebec, where the local population has its own idioms, it's crucial. 

It's not about speaking like a native of Paris, but about getting the heating (the heating) before the temperature drops! 

Read along with me until the end and learn the Quebecois vocabulary for reporting malfunctions while getting a feel for how it’s used in real-life situations.

Power Outages Due to the Cold Weather in Quebec

In Quebec City, the cold feels as intense as the wind blowing along the St. Lawrence River. This wind, especially when it comes from the northeast, seeks out any crack in the fenêtres (windows). 

The northeast wind is the most feared, as it brings snowstorms and the most intense polar cold to the province.

Since Quebec City has an upper town (Upper Town) and a lower part (Basse-Ville) on the banks of the river, the moisture rising from the water makes the cold feel "in your bones." 

Note: If you live near the water, the wind is sure to blow against the windows (windows) of your home with force; this is what causes any cracks in the weatherstrip (window seal) sound like a constant whistling noise.

Another common problem in Quebec is that, due to this extreme insulation and the humidity in the air, it is common to see mold (mold) in the corners of walls if the heating (the heating) doesn’t circulate properly. 

Important: Homes are so well-sealed to prevent heat loss that, if they aren’t ventilated a little every day or if the ventilation system fails, moisture from showering or cooking condenses on the cold walls and causes mold (mold).

These are the most common complaints from Latinos regarding their housing. Reports to the concierge (concierge) or the propriétaire (landlord) are not only to repair damage, but also to maintain good health.

Hard water in Quebec and reports to the building superintendent

In Quebec City, the main enemy of plumbing is hard water. The high mineral content causes a buildup of limescale (le calcaire) that internally damages the seals of the faucet (the faucet). This causes the system to start drip (drip), a silent problem that, if not reported to the concierge, quickly escalates to structural damage due to moisture buildup.

In historic districts such as Old Quebec, the damage is linked to galvanized iron (pipes) made of galvanized iron that are over 100 years old and are failing due to urban vibrations. In contrast, in modern areas such as Sainte-Foy, the materials are light and delicate; here, the Latin custom of tightening the faucet tightly so it closes properly is what usually causes the typical leak (drip).

From a Leak to a Flooded Room: Water Water Damage

In Quebec, people don't simply say "flood"; they use the technical-legal term: Dégât d'eau (water damage). 

When it comes to water damage caused by a leak, it is said to be a leaky faucet (a leaky faucet). It’s annoying, but it’s not an emergency.

But if the house flooded, it may have been caused by a burst washing machine hose or, worst of all, by the hot water tank (water heater). In Canada, these tanks are located inside closets. If they burst, water runs across the hardwood floors (parquet) and reaches the downstairs neighbor in minutes.

Controversial fact: In Quebec, home insurance is practically mandatory—emotionally speaking—because water damage can cost thousands of CAD in damage to the building’s wooden structure.

Guide to Talking to the Concierge

Before calling or sending an email with the report, figure out who you should contact. If you live in an apartment building, you’ll usually speak with the concierge (the maintenance manager). If it’s a house or a small building, you’ll contact the owner.

Reference dialog

You: I am writing to you regarding a problem in the apartment. (I am writing to you about a problem in the apartment.)

The building manager or owner: Okay, what's going on? (All right, what's going on?)

You (List of malfunctions):

• The bathroom faucet is dripping. (The bathroom faucet is dripping.)
• The water heater isn't working anymore (and I don't have any hot water). The water heater (the water heater) isn't working (and I don't have hot water).
• The heating is broken and it's cold in the house. The heating is broken and it's cold in the house.
• The air conditioner isn't cooling properly. The air conditioner (the air conditionerdoesn't cool well.
• The window doesn't close or seal properly (Cold air is coming in). The window doesn't close/seal properly (cold air is coming in).
• There is mold or moisture in the wall. There is mold (mold) or moisture (damp) on the wall.

The building manager/owner: I'll see if anyone is available. (I'll see if anyone is available.)

You: I’m available Monday morning. What time can the repairman come by? (I'm available Monday morning. What time can the repairman come by?)

The building manager/owner: Is 9:00 a.m. okay? (At 9:00 a.m., is that okay?)

You: Yes, perfect. Thank you! (Yes, perfect. Thank you!)

If you understand the context and master these key phrases and vocabulary, you'll be able to move from a general complaint to a clear, technical request. 

Would you like to learn more about Quebec French? At At Planeta Immiland Education, we can teach you.

Learn French for real-life situations

Planeta Immiland Education is the first language school specializing in immigration to Canada.

We offer English and French courses designed to help students adapt to everyday life in the country, so they can achieve linguistic independence—whether it’s reporting a problem to the building superintendent, excelling in a job interview, or reaching the language proficiency required for immigration.

Speaking French in Canada can lead to a better quality of life. Take the Free Placement Test and start your new course!

I hope this guide helps you learn new words so you can report any problems at home. 

Thank you for joining me on this journey. See you in the next blog post, where we’ll continue to apply your language skills to real-life situations in Canada!

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education