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French Phrase

Tu mets combien pour aller au boulot ?

/ty mɛ kɔ̃.bjɛ̃ puʁ a.le o bu.lo/
Meaning"How long does it take you to get to work?"
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Meaning

This phrase literally translates to "You put how much to go to work?" but idiomatically means "How much time do you take to go to work?". It uses the verb "mettre" (to put/to place) in the sense of "to take time" and "boulot" as an informal term for "work" or "job".

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When to use

This is a very common and informal question used among friends, family, or close colleagues. You'd use it in casual conversation to inquire about someone's commute time, perhaps when discussing daily routines or comparing living situations.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tumetscombienpourallerauboulot

1

Tu mets (Mettre)

The verb 'mettre' (to put, to place) is used here to mean 'to take time'. It's a common idiom in French: 'mettre du temps' (to take time). 'Tu mets' is the informal 'you' form.

2

Combien

'Combien' means 'how much' or 'how many'. In this context, it refers to 'how much time', even though 'de temps' is omitted, it's implied by the use of 'mettre'.

3

Pour aller

'Pour' means 'for' or 'in order to', and 'aller' is the infinitive verb 'to go'. Together, 'pour aller' means 'to go' or 'in order to go'.

4

Au boulot

'Au' is a contraction of 'à le' (to the). 'Boulot' is an informal, common French word for 'work' or 'job'. The more formal term is 'travail'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Alors, tu habites loin d'ici ? Tu mets combien pour aller au boulot ?

So, you live far from here? How long does it take you to get to work?

Oh, ça va, je mets environ 30 minutes en bus. Et toi ?

Oh, it's alright, it takes me about 30 minutes by bus. And you?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Combien de temps tu prends pour aller au travail?

    While 'prendre' can mean 'to take', 'mettre' is the standard verb used when referring to the duration of time spent on a task or journey in French.

  • Combien de temps tu mets pour aller au travail?

    Using 'travail' instead of 'boulot' makes the sentence more formal. While not strictly wrong, it loses the informal tone of the original phrase.

  • Tu prends combien de temps pour aller au boulot?

    Again, 'mettre' is the correct verb for expressing the duration of a journey or task. 'Prendre' is not typically used in this context.

↔Alternatives

  • Combien de temps tu mets pour aller au travail ?

    How long does it take you to get to work?

  • Ça te prend combien de temps pour aller au boulot ?

    How much time does it take you to get to work?

  • Quel est ton temps de trajet pour le travail ?

    What is your commute time for work?

fr

Cultural Tip

In France, discussing commute times is a very common topic, especially in larger cities where traffic and public transport can significantly impact daily life. 'Boulot' is a widely used, friendly, and informal term for 'work' or 'job', much like 'gig' or 'job' in English. Using it shows a good grasp of everyday French and helps you sound more natural.