How to Say “On My Way” in French

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je suis en route
The English phrase "on my way" is translated into French as je suis en route.
je suis en route is used to state that you have started traveling toward a specific destination. For more formal contexts, you can use Je me dirige vers to say "I am heading towards".

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase en route literally means "on route" or "on the way".

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

While je suis en route is a standard way to express being on one's way, you can use the more formal Je me dirige vers to indicate you are heading toward a destination. In casual or informal conversation, it is very common to use J'arrive to mean "I'm on my way" or "I'm coming". To emphasize that you are coming promptly in an informal setting, you can say J'arrive tout de suite.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Quebec, you may hear the expression Je m'en viens used to announce an imminent arrival, rather than Je m'en vais.

Did you know?

  • The word route comes from the Latin rupta, which describes a path that has been 'broken' or carved through the wild landscape.
  • While j'arrive literally means 'I am arriving', French speakers use it to mean 'I am on my way' even if they have not yet left their house.

Examples in context

  • Je suis en route.
    I'm on my way.
    This sentence is useful for stating that you are on your way.
    Tatoeba #1832519 by sacredceltic, translation #707205 by CK
  • Je suis en route pour la gare.
    I'm on my way to the station.
    This sentence shows how to specify a destination, such as the station, using je suis en route.
    Tatoeba #11571923 by nimfeo, translation #5445615 by CK
  • Restez là où vous êtes. Je suis en route.
    Stay where you are. I'm on my way.
    This sentence demonstrates how to use je suis en route when telling someone to stay put.
    Tatoeba #13456672 by sacredceltic, translation #2924865 by Hybrid
  • Tu es où ? / J'arrive tout de suite, j'espère ne pas être en retard !
    Where are you? / I'm on my way, I hope I'm not late!
  • 10 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Gabriel is calling Chloé to tell her he is coming to the cafe.

  1. Gabriel

    Chloé, je suis en route.
    Chloé, I am on my way.
  2. Chloé

    D'accord, je t'attends au café.
    Okay, I am waiting for you at the cafe.
  3. Gabriel

    Est-ce que tu es déjà là ?
    Are you already there?
  4. Chloé

    Oui, je suis installée en terrasse.
    Yes, I am sitting on the terrace.

Sources

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Dora Andrea
Dora AndreaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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