French Phrase
Tu voulais un appel pour te réveiller ?
Meaning
This question asks whether the listener wanted a phone call to wake them up. It uses the imperfect tense (voulais) to refer to a past request or intention, and the infinitive construction « pour te réveiller » (in order to wake yourself).
When to use
Use this phrase when confirming a previous request for a wake‑up call, for example after a hotel receptionist checks the guest’s preferences or when you’re reminding a friend about a plan you discussed earlier.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tuvoulaisunappelpourteréveiller?
Imperfect of vouloir
« voulais » is the 2nd‑person singular imperfect of « vouloir », used for past wishes or ongoing intentions.
Indefinite article « un »
« un appel » means ‘a phone call’; the article agrees with the masculine noun « appel ».
Purpose clause with « pour » + infinitive
« pour te réveiller » expresses the purpose of the call: ‘to wake you up’.
Reflexive pronoun « te »
The reflexive pronoun matches the subject ‘tu’ and is required with the verb « réveiller » when the action is performed on oneself.
Question intonation
Raising intonation at the end of the sentence (or adding a question mark) signals that this is a yes/no question.
🗨In Conversation
Tu voulais un appel pour te réveiller ?
Did you want a call to wake you up?
Oui, s’il te plaît. J’ai besoin d’être sûr de me lever à six heures.
Yes, please. I need to make sure I get up at six.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu voulez un appel pour te réveiller ?
« voulez » is present tense; use « voulais » if you’re referring to a past request.
Tu voulais un appel pour réveiller ?
Missing the reflexive pronoun changes the meaning to ‘wake someone else up’. Keep « te » for ‘yourself’.
Tu voulais un coup de fil pour te réveiller ?
In informal speech some learners say « un coup de fil », which is acceptable but changes the register.
↔Alternatives
Tu veux un appel pour te réveiller ?
Do you want a call to wake you up?
Tu as demandé un appel pour te réveiller ?
You asked for a call to wake you up?
Tu souhaitais qu’on t’appelle pour te réveiller ?
You wished that we call you to wake you up?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking hotels, a « réveil par appel » (wake‑up call) is a standard service. When you ask for it, you usually specify the exact time. Using the imperfect (voulais) signals that the request was made earlier, perhaps during a previous conversation or reservation.