Italian Phrase
A che ora devo arrivare?
Meaning
This question asks for the specific time you are expected to reach a place. It’s a polite way to confirm the schedule when you’re meeting someone, catching a train, or attending an event.
When to use
Use it when you need to coordinate arrival times for appointments, travel plans, or social gatherings. It works in both formal and informal contexts, though you can make it more formal by adding 'per favore' or using the polite 'Lei' form.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Acheoradevoarrivare?
A (preposition)
Used to indicate a point in time, equivalent to English 'at' when talking about clock time.
che ora (interrogative phrase)
Literally 'what hour', the common way to ask 'what time' in Italian.
devo (dovere, 1st person singular)
Expresses obligation or necessity: 'I must/should'.
arrivare (infinitive)
The base form of the verb 'to arrive'; after modal verbs like 'dovere' the infinitive is required.
? (question mark)
Marks the sentence as a question.
🗨In Conversation
A che ora devo arrivare?
At what time should I arrive?
Puoi arrivare alle otto, così non perdi il treno.
You can arrive at eight, so you don’t miss the train.
✕Common Mistakes
Che ora devo arrivare?
Missing the preposition 'A' which is required when asking about a specific clock time.
A che ora devo arrivo?
After the modal verb 'devo', the infinitive form 'arrivare' must be used, not the conjugated 'arrivo'.
↔Alternatives
Quando devo arrivare?
When should I arrive?
Qual è l’orario di arrivo previsto per me?
What is the scheduled arrival time for me?
A che ora è il mio arrivo?
At what time is my arrival?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, being a few minutes early is often seen as respectful, especially for business meetings. However, social gatherings can be more relaxed, and arriving exactly on time might be considered punctual. Adjust your arrival based on the context and the person you’re meeting. When speaking to strangers or in formal settings, use the polite 'Lei' form: 'A che ora devo arrivare, per favore?'.