French Phrase
Ça te va à 10h ?
Meaning
This informal French phrase is used to ask if a specific time is convenient for someone. Literally, it translates to 'Does that go to you at 10h?', but its idiomatic meaning is to check availability or suitability for a proposed time. It's a very common and natural way to suggest or confirm a meeting time.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are suggesting a time for an informal meeting, appointment, or activity with a friend, family member, or someone you address with 'tu'. It's perfect for confirming if a proposed time fits their schedule or preferences.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Çatevaà10h?
Ça
'Ça' is a demonstrative pronoun, an informal contraction of 'cela' (that). It acts as the subject here, referring to the proposed time or situation.
te
'Te' is the informal direct or indirect object pronoun for 'you'. It indicates that the action of 'working' or 'suiting' is directed towards 'you' (singular, informal).
va (aller)
'Va' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'aller' (to go). In this idiomatic expression, 'aller' means 'to suit' or 'to be convenient'.
à
The preposition 'à' is used to specify a precise time. It translates to 'at' in this context, indicating the exact moment of the proposed meeting.
🗨In Conversation
On se voit demain pour le café ?
Shall we meet tomorrow for coffee?
Oui, super ! Ça te va à 10h ?
Yes, great! Does 10 AM work for you?
✕Common Mistakes
Est-ce que 10h est bon pour toi?
While understandable, 'est bon pour toi' is a more literal and less natural translation from English. 'Ça te va' is the idiomatic and preferred expression for 'does it work for you?'.
Ça vous va à 10h?
Using 'vous' instead of 'te' is not a mistake if you intend to be formal or address multiple people. However, if you're speaking to a single friend or family member, 'te' is the correct informal pronoun.
Ça te va pour 10h?
When referring to a specific time, the preposition 'à' is almost always used in French, not 'pour'. 'Pour' implies purpose or duration, not a point in time.
↔Alternatives
Est-ce que 10h te convient ?
Does 10 AM suit you?
Tu es libre à 10h ?
Are you free at 10 AM?
Ça vous va à 10h ?
Does 10 AM work for you? (formal/plural)
Cultural Tip
French communication can be quite direct, especially when making plans. Using 'Ça te va à...?' is a straightforward and common way to propose a time. Remember the distinction between 'tu' (informal, singular) and 'vous' (formal, singular, or plural) – using the wrong one can sound either too familiar or too distant. French people often use the 24-hour clock, so '10h' typically means 10 AM, but in informal contexts, it can sometimes be understood as 10 PM if the context is clear (e.g., 'on dîne à 10h').