French Phrase
Essaie d'être à l'heure.
Meaning
A friendly but firm reminder to make an effort to arrive at the agreed time. It can be used with friends, colleagues, or anyone you want to encourage to be punctual.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal situations when you want to give advice or a gentle command about punctuality. It works well in both personal conversations and workplace settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Essaied'êtreàl'heure
Imperative of essayer
Use the second‑person singular imperative form "Essaie" (not "Essaye") to give a direct suggestion.
de + infinitive
After "essayer" the infinitive is introduced by "de"; the vowel‑initial verb "être" contracts to "d'être".
à l'heure
"à l'heure" means "on time" or "punctual"; the article "l'" is the contraction of "le" before a vowel.
🗨In Conversation
Essaie d'être à l'heure.
Try to be on time.
D'accord, je ferai de mon mieux.
Okay, I’ll do my best.
✕Common Mistakes
Essaye d'être à l'heure.
The correct imperative spelling is "Essaie" (with an "i").
Essaie être à l'heure.
After "essayer" you must keep the preposition "de"; it contracts to "d'" before a vowel.
Essaie d'être au temps.
"à l'heure" means "on time"; using "au temps" or "en temps" is not idiomatic here.
↔Alternatives
Fais en sorte d'arriver à l'heure.
Make sure you arrive on time.
Sois ponctuel.
Be punctual.
Veille à être à l'heure.
See to it that you’re on time.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking cultures, punctuality is especially important in professional contexts and for appointments. Saying "à l'heure" implies the exact scheduled moment, while "à temps" can refer more generally to being in time for a deadline. Using the imperative "Essaie" is polite enough for friends but can feel a bit commanding with strangers, so adjust the tone accordingly.