Story in French, level A1

Late at the station in Marseille

Paul checks his watch before catching a train to Paris.

Watch the video, 48 seconds
Marseille station

Paul court dans la gare de Marseille. Il est neuf heures dix. Son train pour Paris part à neuf heures.

Paul runs through Marseille station. It’s ten past nine. His train to Paris leaves at nine.

« Oh non ! Je suis en retard ! »

"Oh no! I’m late!"

Une employée sourit : « Vous allez à Paris ? »

An employee smiles. "Are you going to Paris?"

« Oui. Le train de neuf heures. »

"Yes. The nine o’clock train."

« Il est là, quai B. Il a vingt minutes de retard. »

"It’s there, platform B. It’s twenty minutes late."

Paul rit :

Paul laughs.

« Alors aujourd’hui, je suis à l’heure ! »

"So today, I’m on time!"

Late or early: je suis.

Je suis en retard. Je suis à l’heure. Je suis en avance.

I’m late. I’m on time. I’m early.

Good to know

Train delayed: il a du retard. I’m late: je suis en retard.

Are you usually late or on time? Answer in French in the comments.

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