French · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Time" in French: temps
le temps
Note: clock time: l'heure (f)
Time in French is le temps for the general idea, and l'heure for clock time. Quelle heure est-il ? asks the time. Avoir le temps means to have time.
Busy day
Je n'ai pas le temps ce matin.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce temps
Say it
tahm / ur
/tɑ̃/, /œʁ/
Temps is tahm (nasal). Heure is ur. Quelle heure est-il sounds like kel ur eh-teel. Soft French r in heure.
"Time" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le temps | time (general) / weather Abstract time and weather. | Abstract time and weather. |
| l'heure | hour / clock time What time is it? | What time is it? |
| avoir le temps | to have time Je n'ai pas le temps. | Je n'ai pas le temps. |
| quelle heure est-il ? | what time is it? Standard clock question. | Standard clock question. |
How to use temps in real life
- 1Busy day
Je n'ai pas le temps ce matin.
I don't have time this morning.
Avoir le temps.
- 2Checking with a friend
Tu as un peu de temps ?
Do you have a bit of time?
Avoir le temps uses the noun temps.
- 3Reflection
Le temps passe vite en vacances.
Time passes quickly on holiday.
Le temps as abstract time.
Mistakes English speakers make with temps
Incorrect: Quelle temps est-il ? (for the clock)
Correct: Quelle heure est-il ?
Clock time uses heure, not temps.
Incorrect: Je suis le temps.
Correct: J'ai le temps. / Je n'ai pas le temps.
Having time uses avoir.
Good to know
French separates clock questions (heure) from duration and abstract time (temps). Weather reuses temps, so beginners learn both meanings early and rely on context.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Rushing to catch a film
ChatPal
Tu as le temps d'un café ?
Do you have time for a coffee?
You
Non, je n'ai pas le temps. Quelle heure est-il ?
No, I don't have time. What time is it?
ChatPal
Il est déjà 19 h. Le temps presse.
It's already 7 p.m. Time is short.
You
Exact. Pas le temps de flâner.
Exactly. No time to stroll.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Time" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Time" in French
Temps or heure for "what time is it"?
Heure: quelle heure est-il ?
How do I say I don't have time?
Je n'ai pas le temps.
Does temps mean weather too?
Yes. Context tells weather from time.
How do you say time passes?
Le temps passe.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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