Which one should you use?
While l'heure de partir means "time to go", it specifically carries the nuance of the moment of departure rather than just a general suggestion to move.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are many ways to express the need to leave depending on the setting. For polite or apologetic situations, you can use Je dois vous quitter maintenant. (I must leave you now) or Excusez-moi, je dois partir. (Excuse me, I have to leave). In informal settings, you might use On y va ? to suggest it is time to leave or C'est l'heure de se tirer. to mean it is time to split. If you are with friends, you can use On se tire ? (Shall we split?). For very casual or slang contexts, Je dois filer. means "I have to dash" and the slang Je me casse. means "I'm getting out of here".
How does it change in a sentence?
In a complete sentence, you use the impersonal pronoun il with the verb être to say il est l'heure de partir.
Did you know?
- The informal Je dois filer uses the verb filer, which means 'to spin' or 'to draw a thread'. Using it to mean 'to dash' evokes the image of moving as quickly and thinly as a piece of thread.
- The phrase C'est l'heure de se tirer uses the reflexive verb se tirer, which literally means 'to pull oneself'. This is a colloquial way of saying 'to get oneself out' of a situation.
- The verb in partir shares an ancient root with the English word 'depart', both originating from the Latin 'partīre' which means 'to divide' or 'to separate'.
Examples in context
- Tom a dit qu'il savait que c'était l'heure de partir.Tom said he knew that it was time to go.This sentence uses l'heure de partir to show someone knew it was the time to leave.Tatoeba #13730397 by mervert1, translation #6653490 by CK
- Il est déjà l'heure de partir.It is already time to go.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are leaving a coffee shop.
- ManonHugo, regarde l'horloge, c'est l'heure de partir.Hugo, look at the clock, it is time to go.
- HugoTu as raison, je suis prêt.You are right, I am ready.
- ManonPrends tes clés, s'il te plaît.Take your keys, please.
- HugoC'est fait, on y va !Done, let's go!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, partir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
