French Phrase
Je dois arriver à quelle heure ?
Meaning
This question asks for the specific time you are expected to arrive somewhere. It combines the modal verb devoir (to have to) with the infinitive arriver (to arrive) and the interrogative phrase à quelle heure (at what time).
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to confirm the exact arrival time for a meeting, appointment, class, or any scheduled event, especially in formal or semi‑formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jedoisarriveràquelleheure?
Modal verb devoir
Doit is the present‑tense form of devoir meaning ‘must’ or ‘have to’; it is followed by an infinitive verb.
Infinitive arriver
Arriver means ‘to arrive’; after devoir it stays in the infinitive.
Preposition à + time expression
The preposition à introduces the time at which something happens (e.g., à 9 h, à midi).
Interrogative phrase quelle heure
Quelle heure means ‘what time’; it is used with à to ask for a specific hour.
Word order for questions
Both the non‑inverted (Je dois arriver à quelle heure ?) and inverted (À quelle heure dois‑je arriver ?) structures are correct; the former is more conversational.
🗨In Conversation
Je dois arriver à quelle heure ?
What time should I arrive?
Tu dois être là à 9 h 30 pour la réunion.
You should be there at 9:30 for the meeting.
✕Common Mistakes
Je doit arriver à quelle heure ?
Doit must agree with the subject ‘je’; the correct form is ‘dois’.
Je dois arriver à quel heure ?
‘Heure’ is feminine, so the interrogative must be ‘quelle’, not ‘quel’.
Je dois arriver à quelle heures ?
‘Heure’ is singular in this question; do not add an ‘s’.
↔Alternatives
À quelle heure dois‑je arriver ?
At what time should I arrive?
Quel est l’horaire d’arrivée prévu ?
What is the scheduled arrival time?
Je dois être là à quelle heure ?
What time do I need to be there?
Cultural Tip
In French, using the inversion (À quelle heure dois‑je arriver ?) sounds more formal and is common in written or polite spoken French. In everyday conversation, most speakers prefer the non‑inverted order (Je dois arriver à quelle heure ?) because it feels more natural and less stiff. Also, note that French speakers often specify the exact minute (e.g., 9 h 30) rather than just the hour.