French Phrase
On dîne à 19h.
Meaning
This phrase expresses a routine or a specific plan regarding dinner time. The pronoun 'on' is used here to mean 'we' in an informal, everyday context. Using the 24-hour clock (19h) is the standard way to indicate time in French schedules and invitations.
When to use
Use this when discussing daily routines with friends or family, or when setting a specific time to meet for a meal. It is common in casual settings where 'on' replaces 'nous'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondîneà19h
On
In modern spoken French, 'on' is almost always used instead of 'nous' to mean 'we', though it takes a singular verb form.
Dîne
The verb 'dîner' means to have dinner; here it is conjugated in the present tense for 'on'.
à 19h
The preposition 'à' is used to indicate a specific time, and '19h' uses the standard French 24-hour system.
🗨In Conversation
À quelle heure est-ce qu'on mange ?
What time are we eating?
On dîne à 19h.
We have dinner at 7 PM.
✕Common Mistakes
Nous dîne à 19h.
The verb must agree with 'nous' as 'dînons', or use 'on' with the third-person singular.
On dîne à 7h.
In France, 7h usually refers to 7 AM; use 19h for 7 PM to avoid confusion.
↔Alternatives
Nous dînons à 19h.
We are dining at 7 PM.
On mange à sept heures du soir.
We eat at seven in the evening.
Cultural Tip
In France, dinner is typically served later than in some English-speaking countries, often between 7 PM and 9 PM. While '19h' is used in writing and formal speech, in casual conversation, people might say 'sept heures' but the 24-hour format remains the clearest way to distinguish morning from evening.