This French A1 lesson explains making an appointment in French step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on making an appointment in French and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To make an appointment in French, say Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous, then ask about availability with Vous êtes disponible lundi ? and fix the time on the 24-hour clock: à 14h30. Days take no preposition, prendre rendez-vous replaces “to make an appointment”, and être gives je suis disponible.
Level: French A1 (CEFR beginner) · Standards: CEFR A1, Spoken interaction
Making an appointment in French: the lesson
How do you make an appointment in French?
The set expression is prendre rendez-vous: you “take” an appointment, you do not make one. Start politely with Je voudrais and use vous, as you would at a clinic, a bank or an office.
A phone call
- Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le docteur Mbaye. — Hello, I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Mbaye.
- Vous êtes disponible jeudi après-midi ? — Are you available Thursday afternoon?
- Oui, je suis disponible à 14h30. — Yes, I’m available at 2:30 p.m.
- Ça vous convient ? — Does that suit you?
How do you use être and pouvoir to check availability?
| être (to be) | pouvoir (can) | |
|---|---|---|
| je | suis | peux |
| tu | es | peux |
| il / elle | est | peut |
| nous | sommes | pouvons |
| vous | êtes | pouvez |
| ils / elles | sont | peuvent |
Disponible has one form for masculine and feminine and adds -s in the plural: Léo est disponible, Sara est disponible, Ils sont disponibles. Add libre (free) as a friendly synonym.
How do you say days and official times?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| lundi, mardi, mercredi | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday |
| jeudi, vendredi | Thursday, Friday |
| samedi, dimanche | Saturday, Sunday |
| 14h30 | quatorze heures trente |
| 9h15, 16h45 | neuf heures quinze, seize heures quarante-cinq |
Days begin with a small letter and take no preposition: rendez-vous jeudi means this coming Thursday. Add le for a habit: le jeudi means every Thursday. Say the time with à: à 14h30.
How do you confirm, cancel or move an appointment?
After the call, repeat the day and time to be sure: Donc, jeudi à 14h30, c’est bien ça ? — So, Thursday at 2:30 p.m., is that right? If your plans change, call early and keep the same polite frame.
- Je voudrais confirmer mon rendez-vous de mardi. — I’d like to confirm my Tuesday appointment.
- Je ne suis plus disponible, je voudrais annuler. — I’m no longer available, I’d like to cancel.
- Est-ce qu’on peut déplacer le rendez-vous à vendredi matin ? — Can we move it to Friday morning?
Useful time words: ce matin, cet après-midi, demain, après-demain, la semaine prochaine.
Watch out
English uses “on Thursday” and “an appointment”; French drops both words: J’ai rendez-vous jeudi. Do not say faire un rendez-vous and do not add sur before the day. To change an appointment, say déplacer or annuler.
Being on time
For an official appointment (doctor, bank, administration), arriving a few minutes early is expected. Staff often confirm it with a text or a card that shows the date and time.
Zoé’s tip
Write the time on your hand before you call: 14h30. Saying a number in the 24-hour clock is far easier when you can see it.
Key points to remember
- The expression is prendre rendez-vous, never faire un rendez-vous.
- Days of the week are lowercase and take no preposition: rendez-vous jeudi.
- Le jeudi means every Thursday, while jeudi means one particular Thursday.
- Disponible is the same for masculine and feminine: Léo est disponible, Sara est disponible.
- 14h30 is read quatorze heures trente and means 2:30 p.m.
Booking a Visit and Giving the Time: frequently asked questions
How do you say I would like to make an appointment in French?
Say Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous. It is polite and works on the phone or at a desk. Add the person: avec le docteur Mbaye.
How do you ask if someone is available?
Use Vous êtes disponible lundi ? or the shorter Vous êtes libre lundi ? Answer with Oui, je suis disponible. or Non, je ne suis pas disponible.
How do you read 14h30 aloud?
Say quatorze heures trente. In informal speech, many people say deux heures et demie. Official schedules always use the 24-hour form.
What is the difference between jeudi and le jeudi?
Jeudi alone points to one Thursday: J’ai rendez-vous jeudi. Le jeudi describes a routine: Le jeudi, je travaille à Lyon.
How do you cancel an appointment in French?
Say Je voudrais annuler mon rendez-vous. To move it, use Je voudrais déplacer mon rendez-vous à vendredi.