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French Phrase

Robert est dispo ?

/ʁɔ.bɛʁ ɛs dis.pɔ/
Meaning"Is Robert available?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks whether Robert is free or available at the moment. It’s a quick, informal way to check his schedule or willingness to join an activity.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase in casual settings—among friends, teammates, or coworkers you know well. It’s perfect for quick spoken queries or text messages, but avoid it in formal emails or official meetings.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Robertestdispo?

1

être (est)

‘est’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb ‘être’ (to be) and agrees with the subject ‘Robert’.

2

dispo (colloquial)

‘dispo’ is the spoken abbreviation of ‘disponible’; it’s informal and common in conversation and texting.

3

question intonation

In spoken French, a rising intonation at the end signals a yes‑no question; the written form often adds a question mark without inversion.

🗨In Conversation

A

Robert est dispo ?

Is Robert available?

Oui, il est libre cet après‑midi.

Yes, he’s free this afternoon.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Robert est disponible ?

    In informal speech you’d say ‘dispo’; using the full ‘disponible’ isn’t wrong, but it sounds overly formal for a quick chat.

  • Robert est le dispo.

    ‘Dispo’ is an adjective, not a noun; you can’t say ‘le dispo’. Use ‘disponible’ or the adjective form.

↔Alternatives

  • Robert est‑il disponible ?

    Is Robert available?

  • Robert est libre ?

    Is Robert free?

  • Est‑ce que Robert est disponible ?

    Is Robert available?

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Cultural Tip

‘Dispo’ is a staple of everyday French slang, especially in texting and among younger speakers. While perfectly natural in spoken conversation, replace it with ‘disponible’ or use the full question form in formal contexts to avoid sounding too casual.