French - Time Expressions

Lesson 145 of 159

Learner practicing common French time expressions like arriving and apologizing for being late.

Goal: Common French phrases for arrival, punctuality, and scheduling

Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Ready to talk about time in French? This short lesson focuses on everyday phrases you can use when arriving, asking schedules, or apologizing for being late. Have fun — little steps add up!

Level A1: In Lesson 145 you'll learn five simple French time phrases used in France for arriving and scheduling: J'arrive., C'est prévu pour quand ?, Je suis en retard., Je suis à l'heure., and J'ai cinq minutes de retard. This CEFR-aligned lesson helps you listen, repeat, and use these phrases in a short conversation and quick quizzes.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level A1: Understand and say five common French time phrases for arrival and punctuality.
  • Hear the phrases in a short dialogue and practice with multiple-choice and matching activities.
  • Speak each phrase aloud to build confidence with real-life timing situations.
Two friends checking a schedule and asking when something is planned, practicing French time phrases.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

J'arrive.

I'm coming. / I'll be right there.

Meaning: I'm coming. / I'll be right there.

When to use: Say this when you are on your way to join someone or arrive soon.

Tip: Beginners sometimes think it means immediate arrival; it can mean 'on my way' rather than 'I'm there now.'

Attends, j'arrive !
Wait, I'm coming!
J'arrive dans dix minutes.
I'll be there in ten minutes.

C'est prévu pour quand ?

When is it planned for?

Meaning: When is it planned for?

When to use: Use this question to ask about the scheduled date or time for an event, delivery, or appointment.

C'est prévu pour quand, la livraison ?
When is the delivery scheduled?
C'est prévu pour quand le rendez-vous ?
When is the appointment planned?

Je suis en retard.

I'm late.

Meaning: I'm late.

When to use: Say this when you are late for a meeting, class, or appointment to apologize or explain.

Désolé, je suis en retard.
Sorry, I'm late.
Je suis en retard à cause du trafic.
I'm late because of traffic.

Je suis à l'heure.

I'm on time.

Meaning: I'm on time.

When to use: Use this to say you arrived at the scheduled time (not early or late).

Bonne nouvelle — je suis à l'heure.
Good news — I'm on time.
Je suis à l'heure pour le train.
I'm on time for the train.

J'ai cinq minutes de retard.

I'm five minutes late.

Meaning: I'm five minutes late.

When to use: Use this to give a quick, specific reason for a small delay. You can change 'cinq minutes' as needed.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 'Je suis cinq minutes de retard' — the correct form uses 'J'ai' for a delay measured in minutes.

J'ai cinq minutes de retard, désolé.
I'm five minutes late, sorry.
Aujourd'hui j'ai cinq minutes de retard au travail.
Today I'm five minutes late for work.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David talk about a meeting time and arriving.

Anna and David use common French phrases about arrival, punctuality, and being late in a short dialogue.

When is the meeting scheduled?

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Salut Anna, la réunion, c'est prévu pour quand ?

Hi Anna, when is the meeting planned?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

À dix-huit heures.

At 6:00 p.m.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Moi, je suis à l'heure. Et toi ?

I'm on time. And you?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

J'arrive, mais j'ai cinq minutes de retard.

I'm coming, but I'm five minutes late.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Ce n'est pas grave, on commence à dix-huit heures.

No problem, we'll start at 6:00 p.m.

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

D'accord, je suis en retard mais j'arrive tout de suite.

Okay, I'm late but I'm coming right away.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means "I'm coming"?

How do you ask "When is it planned for?" in French?

Choose the exact French sentence for "I'm five minutes late."

Which sentence says you are not late?

The meeting starts at 6:00 and I am on time: Je suis à l'heure.

The meeting starts at 6:00 and I am on time: __.

If you want to ask "When is it scheduled?" you say: C'est prévu pour quand ?

If you want to ask "When is it scheduled?" you say: __

You know you'll be exactly five minutes late and text: 'J'ai cinq minutes de retard.'

You know you'll be exactly five minutes late and text: '__'.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

J'arrive.

I'm coming. / I'll be right there.

Say this phrase out loud:

C'est prévu pour quand ?

When is it planned for?

Say this phrase out loud:

Je suis en retard.

I'm late.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je suis à l'heure.

I'm on time.

Say this phrase out loud:

J'ai cinq minutes de retard.

I'm five minutes late.