à l'heure
/a l‿œʁ/
The English phrase "on time" is translated into French as à l'heure.
Use à l'heure to describe someone or something that is punctual or following a set schedule. While it functions as an adjective meaning "on time," it can also act as a prepositional phrase meaning "punctually."
Meaning: punctual or according to schedule (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase à l'heure literally translates to "at the hour."
Which one should you use?
There is a subtle difference between à l'heure and à temps. Use à l'heure to mean arriving at the exact scheduled time. In contrast, use à temps to mean arriving early enough to avoid being too late or arriving "in time."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the opposite of being à l'heure (on time), you should use the phrase en retard (late).
How do you pronounce it?
/a l‿œʁ/
Did you know?
- In a professional context, if a French speaker says they are à l'heure, they may actually be slightly late by strict standards, as a small grace period is often culturally accepted.
- In old French literature, the concept of l'heure was often linked to destiny or a 'fated hour', giving the term a more mystical meaning than just a point on a clock.
- If a French person says 'Il est l'heure', they are not saying someone is punctual, but rather that 'It is time' to do something.
Examples in context
- Payez à l'heure !Pay on time!This sentence is useful for practicing the command to pay à l'heure.Tatoeba #7547392 by Micsmithel, translation #8962120 by Nylez
- Je serai à l'heure.I'll be on time.This sentence is useful for stating that you will be à l'heure.Tatoeba #5951332 by Aiji, translation #2549536 by CK
- Tom était à l'heure.Tom arrived on time.This sentence is useful for describing that Tom was à l'heure.Tatoeba #5865562 by Aiji, translation #2955901 by CK
- Le train est arrivé à l'heure.The train arrived on time.
- Veuillez arriver à l'heure pour la réunion.Please arrive on time for the meeting.
- Nous attendons les invités à l'heure fixée.We are expecting the guests at the scheduled time.
- Soyez ponctuel pour l'entretien d'embauche.Be punctual for the job interview.
- La compagnie aérienne est réputée pour être ponctuelle.The airline is known for being punctual.
- Il est essentiel d'être à l'heure pour le rendez-vous chez le médecin.It's essential to be on time for the doctor's appointment.
- Vous devez être à l'heure pour le départ du vol.You must be on time for the flight departure.
- Elle est toujours à l'heure à ses cours de danse.She is always on time for her dance classes.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, nous sommes arrivés à temps pour le spectacle.Don't worry, we arrived on time for the show.
- Tu dois finir ton travail à temps.You have to finish your work on time.
- J'ai réussi à prendre le bus à temps.I managed to catch the bus on time.
- Tu es arrivé à la bonne heure, nous allions commencer sans toi.You arrived at the right time, we were about to start without you.
- J'ai fini mon devoir à la bonne heure.I finished my homework at the right time.
- 168 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are meeting for a movie.
- ChloéEst-ce que le train est à l'heure ?Is the train on time?
- GabrielOui, il arrive dans cinq minutes.Yes, it arrives in five minutes.
- ChloéC'est super, on sera à l'heure pour le film.That's great, we will be on time for the movie.
- GabrielParfait, on y va !Perfect, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry à l'heure, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
