French Phrase
Ouais, ils ont annulé tous les départs.
Meaning
The speaker confirms, in a relaxed tone, that every scheduled departure (e.g., trains, flights, buses) has been cancelled. The use of ‘ouais’ adds a sense of resignation or casual acknowledgement.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal conversations with friends, family, or colleagues when discussing sudden schedule changes—especially in travel contexts like airports, train stations, or bus terminals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ouais,ilsontannulétouslesdéparts.
Ouais (informal yes)
A colloquial equivalent of ‘oui’, used in casual spoken French. Avoid in formal writing.
Passé composé with avoir
‘ont annulé’ is the passé composé of ‘annuler’, formed with the auxiliary ‘avoir’ + past participle.
Agreement of past participle
When ‘avoir’ is used, the past participle ‘annulé’ does not agree with the subject unless a direct object precedes it.
Quantifier ‘tous les…’
‘tous les départs’ means ‘all the departures’; ‘tous’ must be plural to match the plural noun ‘départs’.
🗨In Conversation
Ouais, ils ont annulé tous les départs.
Yeah, they cancelled all the departures.
C’est vraiment embêtant, qu’est-ce qu’on fait maintenant ?
That’s really annoying, what are we going to do now?
✕Common Mistakes
Ouais, ils ont annulé tout les départs.
‘Tout’ must agree in number with the noun; use ‘tous les départs’ for plural.
Ouais, ils annulait tous les départs.
Use the passé composé ‘ont annulé’ for a completed action, not the imperfect ‘annulait’.
Ouais, ils ont été annulé tous les départs.
When using the passive voice, the past participle must agree: ‘ont été annulés’.
↔Alternatives
Oui, ils ont annulé tous les départs.
Yes, they cancelled all the departures.
Ils ont tout annulé.
They cancelled everything.
Tous les départs ont été annulés.
All the departures have been cancelled.
Cultural Tip
‘Ouais’ is typical of everyday spoken French, especially among younger speakers. In a professional email or formal announcement you would replace it with ‘Oui’ or omit it entirely. Also, French transport companies usually announce cancellations with the passive form ‘les départs sont annulés’, which sounds more official.