French Phrase
Pour quelle heure ?
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "For what hour?" or "For which hour?". It is used to inquire about the specific time an event is scheduled, a reservation is made, or an appointment is set. It's a concise way to ask for a time confirmation.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when you know an event or meeting is happening, but you need to confirm the exact time. For example, if someone tells you they've made a reservation, you might ask "Pour quelle heure ?" to find out the time of the reservation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pourquelleheure?
Pour
"Pour" is a preposition meaning 'for'. In this context, it indicates the purpose or intended time of an action or event.
Quelle
"Quelle" is the feminine singular interrogative adjective, meaning 'which' or 'what'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, which is "heure" (feminine singular).
Heure
"Heure" is a feminine noun meaning 'hour' or 'time' (specifically a clock time). It's crucial to use "heure" when asking about a specific time, as opposed to "temps" for general time or weather.
🗨In Conversation
J'ai réservé une table au restaurant.
I've booked a table at the restaurant.
Super ! Pour quelle heure ?
Great! For what time?
✕Common Mistakes
À quelle heure pour ?
While "À quelle heure ?" means "At what time?", adding "pour" at the end is grammatically incorrect in this context. "Pour quelle heure ?" is a fixed expression.
Pour quel temps ?
"Temps" refers to 'time' in a general sense or 'weather', not a specific hour. "Heure" is used for specific clock times.
↔Alternatives
À quelle heure ?
At what time?
C'est à quelle heure ?
It's at what time?
Tu as l'heure ?
Do you have the time? (Asking for current time)
Cultural Tip
In French culture, punctuality is generally valued, especially for formal appointments or dinner invitations. Asking "Pour quelle heure ?" is a polite and direct way to confirm details without being intrusive. It's common to confirm times for social gatherings, as plans can sometimes be fluid, but for professional settings, it's expected to be precise.