How to Say ‘I am late.’ in French
Je suis en retard.
zhuh swee ahn ruh-TAR
[zhuh swee ahn ruh-TAR]
Phrase Breakdown
Je suis
zhuh swee
I am
The subject pronoun plus the verb être, used to say how you are or what state you're in.
Je suis fatigué.
I am tired.
Words in this phrase
Je
[zhuh]
I
The pronoun used to talk about yourself.
Je suis en retard, donc Je parle de moi.
I am late, so I am talking about myself.
suis
[swee]
am
Used with je to form I am.
Dans Je suis en retard, suis veut dire am.
In I am late, suis means am.
En retard
ahn ruh-TAR
Late
Used to say someone is behind schedule or not on time.
Désolé, je suis en retard.
Sorry, I am late.
Words in this phrase
en
[ahn]
in
Part of the fixed expression en retard, meaning late.
Dans Je suis en retard, en fait partie de l'expression.
In I am late, en is part of the expression.
retard
[ruh-TAR]
late
Used with en to mean late.
Je suis en retard si j'arrive après l'heure.
I am late if I arrive after the time.
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