French Phrase
Les locataires doivent payer leur loyer à temps.
Meaning
This phrase clearly states the obligation for tenants to pay their rent by the due date. It emphasizes the importance of punctuality in financial commitments, particularly in a rental agreement. It's a direct and unambiguous statement about a contractual responsibility.
When to use
This phrase would typically be used in formal contexts such as rental agreements, notices from landlords, or discussions about tenant responsibilities. It could also be used in a general conversation when discussing housing regulations or the duties of renters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Les locatairesdoiventpayerleur loyerà temps
Les locataires (The tenants)
This is a plural definite article 'les' followed by the plural noun 'locataires' (tenants). It refers to a specific group of renters.
Doivent (Must/Have to)
This is the third-person plural conjugation of the verb 'devoir' (to have to, to must). It expresses obligation or necessity.
Payer (To pay)
This is an infinitive verb, used here after a semi-modal verb ('devoir'). In French, when two verbs follow each other, the second is often in the infinitive form.
Leur loyer (Their rent)
'Leur' is a possessive adjective meaning 'their'. It agrees in number with the noun it modifies ('loyer' is singular), not with the possessor ('locataires' is plural). 'Loyer' is a masculine singular noun meaning 'rent'.
À temps (On time)
This is a common adverbial phrase meaning 'on time' or 'punctually'. It uses the preposition 'à' to indicate timeliness.
🗨In Conversation
J'ai reçu un rappel pour le loyer. Est-ce que tu as payé le tien ?
I received a reminder for the rent. Did you pay yours?
Oui, bien sûr. Les locataires doivent payer leur loyer à temps, c'est la règle.
Yes, of course. Tenants must pay their rent on time, that's the rule.
✕Common Mistakes
Les locataires doivent payer ses loyer à temps.
Loyer is masculine singular, so 'leur' (their) is correct, not 'ses' (his/her/its plural). 'Ses' would imply the rent belongs to multiple things, not the tenants' collective rent.
Les locataires doiventent payer leur loyer à temps.
The verb 'devoir' (to must/to have to) is conjugated as 'doivent' for 'ils/elles'. 'Doiventent' is an incorrect conjugation.
Les locataires doivent payer leur loyer en temps.
The correct preposition for 'on time' is 'à temps' in French, not 'en temps'. 'En temps' can mean 'in time' (e.g., 'en temps voulu' - in due time) but 'à temps' specifically means 'on schedule/punctually'.
↔Alternatives
Il est obligatoire pour les locataires de payer le loyer à la date prévue.
It is mandatory for tenants to pay the rent on the scheduled date.
Les locataires sont tenus de régler leur loyer ponctuellement.
Tenants are required to settle their rent punctually.
Le loyer doit être versé par les locataires avant la date limite.
The rent must be paid by the tenants before the deadline.
Cultural Tip
In many French-speaking countries, punctuality in paying rent is highly regarded and often legally enforced. Rental contracts (baux) are very detailed, and late payments can lead to significant penalties, including eviction procedures. It's common for landlords to expect payment on the first day of the month, and any delay should ideally be communicated in advance. This phrase reflects a standard expectation in landlord-tenant relationships.