A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "The train is late" in French
Say 'Le train est en retard' to let someone know the train you're waiting for is delayed.
Le train est en retard.
luh tran ay tah(n) ruh-TARneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're at the train station and the departure board shows a delay, or when someone asks you when your train is due to arrive. It's a common and useful phrase for any traveler.
Alternatives
- Le train a du retard.Slightly more common in everyday speech.
- Il y a un retard sur le train.More formal, often used in official announcements.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'retard'
The final 'd' is silent; it sounds like 'ruh-TAR'.
Forgetting 'en'
You need 'en retard' to mean 'late'; 'Le train est retard' is incorrect.
A small cultural note
French train punctuality is generally good, but delays do happen, especially on certain lines or during peak travel times. Don't hesitate to use this phrase if you're experiencing a delay.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask if the train is late?
You can ask 'Est-ce que le train est en retard ?' or more casually 'Le train est en retard ?'.
What if the train is early?
You would say 'Le train est en avance.' This means the train is ahead of schedule.
What does 'retard' mean in English?
'Retard' directly translates to 'delay' or 'lateness'. It's used for trains, appointments, and sometimes even children.
