toujours à l'heure
The English phrase 'always on time' is translated into French as toujours à l'heure.
toujours à l'heure is used to describe a person who consistently arrives at the exact time they are expected. You can also use the shorter phrase à l'heure to simply mean 'on time' without the word 'toujours' (always).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'always at the hour'.
Which one should you use?
To say someone is 'always late' instead of 'always on time', you would use toujours en retard.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase toujours à l'heure is invariable and does not change regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
Did you know?
- In French culture, the concept of le quart d'heure de politesse suggests that arriving 15 minutes late for a social invitation is actually a polite gesture.
- The word toujours comes from the Old French toz jorz, which literally means 'all days'.
- While toujours à l'heure means 'always on time', the word toujours can also mean 'still' depending on the context of the sentence.
Examples in context
- Le train est toujours à l'heure.The train is always on time.This sentence shows how to use toujours à l'heure when referring to a single train.Tatoeba #934998 by nimfeo, translation #43441 by CK
- Les trains sont toujours à l'heure.The trains are always on time.This sentence shows how to use toujours à l'heure when referring to multiple trains.Tatoeba #12362598 by lbdx, translation #12351642 by CK
- Il est toujours à l'heure à un rendez-vous.He is always on time for an appointment.This sentence shows how to use toujours à l'heure in the context of an appointment.Tatoeba #496944 by sacredceltic, translation #304299 by CK
- Pierre est toujours à l'heure à nos réunions de travail.Pierre is always on time for our business meetings.
- Notre directeur est systématiquement ponctuel à nos rendez-vous hebdomadaires.Our manager is systematically punctual for our weekly appointments.
- Thomas est toujours à l'heure au rendez-vous, on peut lui faire confiance.Thomas is always on time for the meeting, we can trust him.
- Marie n'est jamais en retard, c'est impressionnant !Marie is never late, it's impressive!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are waiting for a friend at a cafe.
- GabrielEst-ce que Pierre arrive bientôt ?Is Pierre arriving soon?
- ChloéOui, il est toujours à l'heure.Yes, he is always on time.
- GabrielC'est un homme très fiable.He is a very reliable man.
- ChloéC'est vrai, il ne nous fera pas attendre.That's true, he won't make us wait.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toujours, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
