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How to Say ‘A small delay’ in French

Un petit retard

uhn puh-tee ruh-TAR

[uhn puh-tee ruh-TAR]

🇫🇷 In France: Saying petit softens bad news, and French colleagues often use it this way even when the delay isn't that small.

Phrase Breakdown

[uhn]

a / one

Indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un café peut être une bonne occasion de discuter.

A coffee can be a good opportunity to talk.

petit

[puh-tee]

small

Of a limited size or amount.

Example

Un petit rire se fit entendre.

A small laugh was heard.

retard

[ruh-TAR]

delay / lateness

Masculine noun for being late.

Example

Désolé pour le retard.

Sorry for the delay.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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