French Phrase
Je dois arriver tôt ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether it is necessary for them to arrive early. It can be a polite way to confirm a schedule or a requirement.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to double‑check the expected arrival time for a meeting, a class, a train, or any appointment where punctuality matters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedoisarrivertôt?
Subject pronoun
« Je » is the first‑person singular subject pronoun, used before the verb.
Modal verb devoir
« dois » is the present‑tense form of devoir, meaning ‘must / have to’. It is followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive after devoir
The verb that follows devoir stays in the infinitive: « arriver ».
Adverb of time
« tôt » is an adverb meaning ‘early’; it normally follows the infinitive.
Forming a yes/no question
Adding a question mark after a declarative sentence is common in spoken French; the intonation rises at the end.
🗨In Conversation
Je dois arriver tôt ?
Do I have to arrive early?
Oui, la réunion commence à huit heures, alors il vaut mieux être là à sept trente.
Yes, the meeting starts at eight, so it’s better to be there at half past seven.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis arriver tôt ?
‘Suis’ is the auxiliary of ‘être’; devoir requires the present tense of ‘devoir’, not ‘être’. The correct form is ‘Je dois…’
Je dois arrivé tôt ?
After devoir the verb stays in the infinitive, not the past participle.
Je dois arriver tôt.
A question needs a rising intonation or a question word; ending with a period makes it a statement.
↔Alternatives
Dois‑je arriver tôt ?
Do I have to arrive early?
Est‑ce que je dois arriver tôt ?
Do I have to arrive early?
Il faut que j'arrive tôt ?
Do I need to arrive early?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking cultures punctuality is taken seriously, especially for business and formal events. Arriving a few minutes early is seen as respectful, while being late can be considered rude. However, asking “Je dois arriver tôt ?” shows you care about the host’s expectations and helps you avoid the embarrassment of being late.