French Phrase
J'ai une réunion à deux heures cet après-midi.
Meaning
This phrase is used to state that you have a scheduled meeting at a specific time in the afternoon. It combines the verb 'avoir' (to have) with 'une réunion' (a meeting) and specifies the time and part of the day.
When to use
You would use this phrase when informing someone about your schedule, declining an invitation, or simply stating your plans for the afternoon. It's a common way to communicate your availability or lack thereof.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'aiune réunionàdeux heurescet après-midi
Avoir (J'ai)
The verb 'avoir' means 'to have'. In French, you 'have' a meeting ('avoir une réunion'), unlike in English where you might 'be in' a meeting or 'have' a meeting. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular conjugation.
Une réunion
'Réunion' is a feminine noun meaning 'meeting'. It requires the feminine indefinite article 'une'.
À (time preposition)
The preposition 'à' is used to indicate the specific time an event takes place, similar to 'at' in English. For example, 'à deux heures' means 'at two o'clock'.
Deux heures
'Deux' means 'two' and 'heures' means 'hours' or 'o'clock'. When stating time, 'heures' is always plural unless it's 'une heure' (one o'clock).
Cet après-midi
'Après-midi' (afternoon) is a tricky word as it can be masculine or feminine, but when used with a demonstrative adjective like 'this', it's often treated as masculine. 'Cet' is the masculine singular demonstrative adjective used before a noun starting with a vowel or silent 'h'.
🗨In Conversation
On peut se voir cet après-midi?
Can we see each other this afternoon?
Désolé(e), j'ai une réunion à deux heures cet après-midi.
Sorry, I have a meeting at two o'clock this afternoon.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis une réunion à deux heures cet après-midi.
The verb 'être' (to be) is incorrect here. In French, you 'have' a meeting, not 'are' a meeting. Always use 'avoir' for possession or scheduled events like meetings.
J'ai une réunion deux heures cet après-midi.
When stating the time of an event, you must use the preposition 'à' before the hour. 'À deux heures' means 'at two o'clock'.
J'ai une réunion à deux heures ce après-midi.
The demonstrative adjective 'cet' is used before masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or a silent 'h', like 'après-midi'. 'Ce' is used before masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant.
↔Alternatives
Ma réunion est à deux heures cet après-midi.
My meeting is at two o'clock this afternoon.
J'ai un rendez-vous à 14h cet après-midi.
I have an appointment at 2 PM this afternoon.
Je suis pris(e) à deux heures cet après-midi.
I am busy at two o'clock this afternoon.
Cultural Tip
In France, punctuality for professional meetings is generally expected. While 'deux heures' is common, you might also hear 'quatorze heures' (14h) in more formal or written contexts, especially in business. French business culture often values directness in scheduling, so stating your availability clearly is appreciated.