French Phrase
Prépare ton numéro de compte à l'avance.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to have their bank account number ready before a specific moment, such as a phone call, a payment, or a meeting. It conveys a polite but direct instruction, typical in business or administrative contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need a client, colleague, or friend to prepare their account details ahead of a transaction, a money transfer, or any situation where the number will be required immediately.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Préparetonnumérodecompteàl'avance.
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Prépare’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘préparer’ used with ‘tu’ (informal you). The subject pronoun is omitted.
Possessive adjective
‘ton’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (masculine singular ‘numéro’).
Noun phrase ‘numéro de compte’
A compound noun where ‘de’ links two nouns; the order is fixed: ‘numéro de compte’ (account number).
Adverbial phrase ‘à l’avance’
Means ‘in advance’; placed at the end of the sentence to modify the whole action.
Punctuation
The period ends the imperative sentence; no subject pronoun is needed.
🗨In Conversation
Avant d'appeler le service client, prépare ton numéro de compte à l'avance.
Before calling customer service, prepare your account number in advance.
Bonne idée, je le note tout de suite.
Good idea, I'll write it down right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Préparer ton numéro de compte à l'avance.
In the imperative you drop the infinitive ending; use ‘Prépare’ not ‘préparer’.
Prépare ton compte numéro à l'avance.
The noun order is fixed; it should be ‘numéro de compte’, not ‘compte numéro’.
À l'avance, prépare ton numéro de compte.
Do not place ‘à l'avance’ before the noun phrase; it modifies the verb and should come after the object.
↔Alternatives
Assure-toi d'avoir ton numéro de compte prêt à l'avance.
Make sure you have your account number ready in advance.
Prépare ton IBAN avant de commencer.
Prepare your IBAN before you start.
Aie ton numéro de compte sous la main avant la réunion.
Have your account number at hand before the meeting.
Cultural Tip
In French professional settings, being prepared with banking details is seen as a sign of competence and respect for the other party’s time. Using the informal ‘ton’ is appropriate with peers or friends, but switch to the formal ‘votre’ (Préparez votre numéro de compte à l'avance) when speaking to clients or superiors.