ça arrive tout de suite
The English phrase "coming right up" is translated into French as ça arrive tout de suite.
This phrase is commonly used by service staff, such as waiters, to indicate that an order or request is being processed and will be delivered immediately.
Meaning: Translations (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While common in service settings, the use of ça makes this slightly more informal than using a more formal subject like cela arrive.
Did you know?
- While ça arrive tout de suite is common in cafes, French service culture is famously strict about the 'right' of the waiter to manage the pace of the meal, meaning 'immediately' is often a polite suggestion rather than a promise.
- The word suite comes from the Latin verb sequi, meaning 'to follow'. It is a direct relative of the English word 'suit', as in a lawsuit or a sequence of events.
- Unlike English, which uses the verb 'coming' for an object, French uses arrive, which can also mean 'to happen'. In certain contexts, ça arrive can mean 'it happens' or 'that is common'.
Examples in context
- Pourrais-je avoir un café, s'il vous plaît ? – Bien sûr, cela arrive tout de suite.Could I have a coffee, please? – Of course, it's coming right up.
- Un café ? Ça arrive tout de suite !A coffee? Coming right up!
- Votre commande ? Ça arrive tout de suite.Your order? It's coming right up.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, ça arrive tout de suite.Don't worry, it's coming right up.
Example conversation
Léa is working as a waitress and Nathan is a customer.
- LéaVous désirez commander ?Would you like to order?
- NathanOui, un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.Yes, a glass of water, please.
- LéaÇa arrive tout de suite.Coming right up.
- NathanMerci beaucoup, Léa.Thank you very much, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, suite, tout, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
