appelle-moi quand tu es libre
The English phrase "call me when you are free" is translated into French as appelle-moi quand tu es libre.
This phrase is used to request that someone telephone you once they are no longer busy. You can also use the variation rappelle-moi quand tu es libre if you specifically want to say "call me back when you are free". Adding the prefix 're-' to the verb changes the meaning from 'call me' to 'call me back'.
Which one should you use?
While appelle-moi quand tu es libre is standard, you might use appelle-moi quand tu as un moment to say "call me when you have a moment". This is often used as a slightly more polite or less demanding alternative to quand tu es libre.
How does it change in a sentence?
While quand tu es libre is common in casual speech, using the future tense appelle-moi quand tu seras libre is grammatically more precise in French because the action occurs in the future.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'free' for both time and cost, the French libre only refers to availability or liberty. To say something is 'free of charge', you must use a different word, gratuit.
- The word libre shares a common ancestor with the word for 'people' in Proto-Indo-European, suggesting that being 'free' is historically linked to being a member of a community.
- In modern French texting and casual speech, disponible is often shortened to dispo. A person might simply text Je suis dispo to indicate they are free to talk.
Examples in context
- Veuillez me contacter quand vous serez disponible. Nous devons discuter de la réunion prévue pour la semaine prochaine.Please contact me when you are available. We need to discuss the meeting scheduled for next week.
- Si vous êtes libre, pourriez-vous me donner un coup de fil? J'ai besoin de discuter de l'avancement du projet et de planifier notre prochaine réunion.If you're free, could you give me a call? I need to discuss the project progress and plan our next meeting.
- Appelle-moi quand tu as du temps. J'aimerais organiser une sortie ensemble ce week-end.Call me when you have some time. I'd like to plan an outing together this weekend.
- Appelle-moi quand tu es libre ce soir.Call me when you are free this evening.
- Appelle-moi quand tu es libre pour discuter.Call me when you are free to chat.
- Appelle-moi quand tu es libre demain matin.Call me when you are free tomorrow morning.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are texting about planning a dinner.
- LéaSalut Nathan, on dîne ensemble ce soir ?Hi Nathan, are we having dinner together tonight?
- NathanJe suis encore en réunion pour le moment.I am still in a meeting for the moment.
- LéaPas de problème, appelle-moi quand tu es libre.No problem, call me when you are free.
- NathanÇa marche, je t'appelle tout à l'heure.That works, I'll call you later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries libre, quand, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
