French · Real conversations
How to say “I'm running ten minutes late.” in French
Tell someone that you expect to arrive ten minutes after the agreed time.
J'aurai dix minutes de retard.
I'm running ten minutes late.
The example describes the amount of delay, rather than how long you have been traveling.
Use it in three situations
A delayed arrival
J'aurai dix minutes de retard.
I'm running ten minutes late.
An appointment update
J'ai cinq minutes de retard.
I'm running five minutes late.
A message to a friend
J'aurai dix minutes de retard à notre rendez-vous.
I'm running ten minutes late for our meeting.
What to watch for
A literal translation of 'running' can wrongly imply that you are moving on foot.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine changing plans. Say this in French: I'm running five minutes late.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai cinq minutes de retard.
I'm running five minutes late.
Build a useful exchange
Explain a change and offer a clear next step.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
