Running Late in Paris
Tell the time, warn your friends you're late and make up for it with the casual French people really use.
In France being a few minutes late to a drink with friends is normal, and arriving about fifteen minutes late to dinner at someone's home is even polite, the 'quart d'heure de politesse'. Work meetings, doctor's appointments and trains are another story: be on time. In Paris, metro delays are announced on the platform and in the RATP app, and friends will expect a quick text the moment you know you're late.
- 1
Je suis en retard.
I'm running late.
- 2
J'arrive dans dix minutes.
I'll be there in ten minutes.
- 3
Mon métro est bloqué.
My metro is stuck.
- 4
Désolé, j'ai raté mon train.
Sorry, I missed my train.
- 5
Il est quelle heure ?
What time is it?
- 6
Il est sept heures et demie.
It's half past seven.
- 7
T'inquiète, prends ton temps.
Don't worry, take your time. (to a friend)
- 8
T'es où ?
Where are you?
- 9
Je suis en route.
I'm on my way.
- 10
On avait dit sept heures, non ?
We said seven o'clock, didn't we?
- 11
Ça fait vingt minutes que j'attends.
I've been waiting for twenty minutes.
- 12
T'es toujours en retard !
You're always late!
- 13
On commence sans lui ?
Shall we start without him?
- 14
Il est huit heures moins dix.
It's ten to eight.
- 15
Il y a du retard sur la ligne 13.
There's a delay on line 13.
- 16
J'ai pas entendu mon réveil.
I didn't hear my alarm.
- 17
Disons plutôt huit heures et quart.
Let's say quarter past eight instead.
- 18
Je suis en avance, j'attends dehors.
I'm early, I'll wait outside.
- 19
Envoie-moi un message quand t'es là.
Text me when you're there.
- 20
Mieux vaut tard que jamais !
Better late than never!