French Phrase
Note les dates et les heures.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to write down or record the dates and the times. It is often used when preparing schedules, minutes of a meeting, or any document that requires precise temporal information.
When to use
Use this phrase in professional or academic settings when you need a colleague, a student, or a collaborator to capture the calendar details of an event, a deadline, or a timetable. It works well in meetings, email instructions, or when handing out a worksheet.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Notelesdatesetlesheures
Imperative Mood
‘Note’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *noter* (to note, to write down).
Direct Object
The nouns *dates* and *heures* are the direct objects of the verb; they follow the verb without a preposition.
Definite Articles
Both nouns are preceded by the plural definite article *les*; the article is repeated before each noun for clarity.
Conjunction *et*
The conjunction *et* simply links the two objects, no comma is needed.
Pronunciation Liaison
A liaison occurs between *les* and *dates* (/le‿da.t/) and between *les* and *heures* (/le‿z‿œʁ/).
🗨In Conversation
Peux‑tu préparer le planning de la formation ?
Can you prepare the training schedule?
Oui, je m’en occupe. Note les dates et les heures.
Yes, I’ll take care of it. Write down the dates and times.
✕Common Mistakes
Noter les dates et les heures.
Missing the imperative ending; this is the infinitive and does not function as a command.
Notez les dates et les heures.
Correct for *vous* (plural or formal), but wrong if you are speaking to a single familiar person; choose *Note* for *tu*.
Note les dates et heures.
The second article *les* is required before *heures* to avoid ambiguity.
↔Alternatives
Écris les dates et les heures.
Write the dates and times.
Inscris les dates et les heures.
Record the dates and times.
Consigne les dates et les heures.
Log the dates and times.
Cultural Tip
In French business culture, precision about dates and especially exact hours (e.g., *à 14 h 30*) is expected. When you say *les heures*, you are usually referring to whole‑hour blocks; for more exact times, add the minutes (e.g., *les heures et les minutes*). Also, the imperative without *s’il vous plaît* can sound brisk; add *s’il te plaît* or *s’il vous plaît* for a polite request.