French Phrase
Tu dînes à quelle heure ?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to ask someone about their dinner schedule in an informal setting. It uses the verb 'dîner' (to eat dinner) and the interrogative 'à quelle heure' (at what time). The structure follows a standard informal pattern where the question word is placed at the end.
When to use
Use this when speaking with friends, family, or close colleagues in a relaxed environment. It is perfect for making evening plans or understanding someone's daily routine.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tudînesàquelleheure
Tu
The informal second-person singular pronoun used for friends, family, and peers.
Dînes
The verb 'dîner' (to dine) conjugated in the present tense for 'tu'.
À quelle heure
A fixed expression used to ask for a specific time on the clock, literally 'at which hour'.
🗨In Conversation
Tu dînes à quelle heure ce soir ?
What time are you having dinner tonight?
D'habitude, je dîne vers vingt heures.
Usually, I eat dinner around 8 PM.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu dînes à quel heure ?
'Heure' is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine form 'quelle'.
Tu dînes quel heure ?
You must include the preposition 'à' to specify 'at' what time.
↔Alternatives
À quelle heure dînes-tu ?
At what time do you dine? (Formal inversion)
Vous dînez à quelle heure ?
What time do you (formal/plural) have dinner?
C'est à quelle heure le dîner ?
What time is dinner?
Cultural Tip
In France, dinner is typically eaten later than in many English-speaking countries, often between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM. Asking this question is a standard way to coordinate social gatherings, as dining is a central part of French social life.