#159 Requesting Additional Amenities at a Hotel｜French Daily-Life Phrases
Izumi Curious French
#263 Informing Others That You Will Be Late for a Meeting｜French Business Phrases
Izumi
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When you realize that you may be late for a meeting or appointment, it is important to inform the relevant people as early as possible.
Especially in a professional setting, communicating in advance demonstrates responsibility and helps build trust.
In this article, I will explain useful French expressions for informing others that you will be late for a meeting, following a realistic conversation example and highlighting important grammar points.
Contents
Dialogue
Je suis désolé, mais je vais arriver un peu en retard à la réunion.
（I am sorry, but I am going to be a little late for the meeting.）
Je comprends. Tout va bien ?
（I understand. Is everything okay?）
Oui, il y a beaucoup de circulation ce matin.
（Yes, there is heavy traffic this morning.）
Savez-vous à quelle heure vous arriverez ?
（Do you know what time you will arrive?）
Je pense arriver vers 10 h 15. Je suis vraiment désolé pour le retard.
（I think I will arrive around 10:15. I am truly sorry for being late.）
Pas de problème. Nous commencerons sans vous.
（No problem. We will begin without you.）
1. Informing Others That You Will Be Late
As soon as you realize that you may be late for a meeting, I recommend informing others of the situation briefly and clearly.
Example
- Je vais arriver un peu en retard à la réunion.
（I am going to be a little late for the meeting.）
The expression “Je vais arriver” is a near-future construction in French. It combines the present tense of the verb “aller”(vais) with the infinitive “arriver” (to arrive).
The structure “aller + infinitive” is used to express something that is about to happen or is expected to happen in the near future.
In situations such as informing someone that you will be late, this structure sounds natural because the situation is already clear, and you are communicating an expected outcome.
Related Expressions
- Je vais arriver dans dix minutes.
（I will arrive in ten minutes.） - Je vais vous rejoindre un peu plus tard.
（I will join you a little later.）
The phrase “en retard” means “late” or “behind schedule.” By adding “un peu” (a little), the sentence sounds softer and more polite.
However, if you expect to be significantly late, using “un peu” may sound unnatural. If the delay will be longer than a few minutes, I recommend stating the estimated delay more clearly.
Related Expression
- Je vais avoir environ trente minutes de retard.
（I am going to be about thirty minutes late.）
2. Explaining the Reason Briefly
When informing someone that you will be late, briefly explaining the reason can help reassure the other person. At the same time, I recommend avoiding long excuses and keeping your explanation concise.
Example
- Il y a beaucoup de circulation ce matin.
（There is heavy traffic this morning.）
The phrase “Il y a” means “there is” or “there are.” It is especially useful when describing situations objectively, such as traffic conditions or crowded places.
In this expression, “il ” does not refer to a specific person. Instead, it functions as an impersonal subject, which is commonly used in French for weather, time, and general situations.
Related Expressions
- Il pleut.
（It is raining.） - Il est tard.
（It is late.）
The structure “beaucoup de + noun” means “a lot of” or “many.”
In “beaucoup de circulation,” the phrase literally means “a lot of traffic,” expressing that the roads are heavily congested.
One important point to remember is that no article is placed after “beaucoup de.”
3. Giving Your Expected Arrival Time
To help others adjust their schedule, it is important to provide an estimated arrival time whenever possible.
In business situations, giving a specific time helps other people manage the progress of the meeting more smoothly.
Example
- Je pense arriver vers 10 h 15.
（I think I will arrive around 10:15.）
The structure “penser + infinitive” is used to express an expectation, prediction, or personal judgment. It is especially useful when you want to explain an estimated schedule without sounding overly certain.
Although “Je pense arriver” literally means “I think that I will arrive,” it often carries the softer nuance of “I expect to arrive around that time.”
French also uses the verb “croire” to express “thinking” or “believing,” but the nuance differs slightly.
“penser” is generally used for judgments or expectations based on the current situation, making it more natural when discussing arrival times or schedules.
By contrast, “croire” is closer to “believe” and often expresses a personal assumption or guess.
Points
- Je pense arriver vers 10 h 15.
（I think I will arrive around 10:15.）
→ Based on the current situation and expectation. - Je crois qu’il est déjà parti.
（I think he has already left.）
→ A personal assumption that may not be certain.
For this reason, when informing others about an expected arrival time after being delayed, “penser” sounds more natural than “croire.”
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Je vais arriver un peu en retard à la réunion.
→ Used to inform others that you will be late for a meeting. - Il y a beaucoup de circulation ce matin.
→ Used to briefly explain the reason for the delay. - Je pense arriver vers 10 h 15.
→ Used with “penser” to give an estimated arrival time.
