A2 Expression Neutre 2 min de lecture

When do we arrive?

Arrival time

Use this phrase to politely ask for the expected time you will reach your destination.

En 15 secondes

  • Ask this to find out when a journey ends.
  • Use it on planes, trains, cars, or buses.
  • It is the polite version of 'Are we there yet?'

Signification

You use this phrase to ask someone when you will reach your final destination. It is a simple way to find out how much time is left in a journey.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

On a long road trip with a friend

I'm getting a bit hungry; when do we arrive?

I'm getting a bit hungry; when do we arrive?

😊
2

Asking a flight attendant on a plane

Excuse me, when do we arrive in New York?

Excuse me, when do we arrive in New York?

💼
3

Texting a partner who is on the same train

The view is great! When do we arrive at the station?

The view is great! When do we arrive at the station?

🤝
🌍

Contexte culturel

This phrase is the polite alternative to the infamous 'Are we there yet?' used by impatient children. In Western cultures, providing a specific time (e.g., 'at 4:15 PM') is more common than giving a vague answer. It reflects a cultural focus on punctuality and scheduling.

💡

Add a specific place

To sound more natural, add 'at' or 'in' plus the place name, like `When do we arrive at the hotel?`.

⚠️

The 'Are we there yet?' Trap

Avoid asking this too many times. In English-speaking cultures, repeating this question is seen as a sign of being an impatient child!

En 15 secondes

  • Ask this to find out when a journey ends.
  • Use it on planes, trains, cars, or buses.
  • It is the polite version of 'Are we there yet?'

What It Means

When do we arrive? is a very common way to ask about the end of a trip. It focuses on the specific moment you reach a place. It is simple, direct, and very useful for travelers. Use it when you are tired of sitting in a car or plane!

How To Use It

You can use this phrase during any kind of travel. It works for short bus rides or long international flights. You usually ask the person driving or a staff member. It is a polite way to check the schedule. You can also add a destination at the end. For example: When do we arrive in London? This makes your question more specific.

When To Use It

Use this when you are on the move with other people. It is perfect for a road trip with friends. Use it when you see a train conductor walking by. You can also text it to a friend who is driving you. It is great for managing your time. If you know the arrival time, you can plan your next meal!

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this if you are already standing at the destination. That would be very confusing! Also, avoid asking every five minutes on a long trip. This is what children do, and it can be annoying. If you are at a business meeting, use What time is the meeting scheduled to end? instead. This phrase is specifically for the physical act of traveling.

Cultural Background

In many English-speaking cultures, being on time is very important. People like to know the exact minute they will arrive. There is a famous joke about kids in cars asking Are we there yet? over and over. When do we arrive? is the more grown-up, polite version of that question. It shows you are thinking about the schedule, not just complaining.

Common Variations

You might hear people say What time do we get there? in casual talk. Another common one is How much longer until we arrive? If you want to be very formal, you can ask What is our estimated time of arrival? or ETA. Most people just stick to the simple version because it is clear and friendly.

Notes d'usage

This phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. It uses the present simple 'do we arrive' because it refers to a fixed schedule or timetable.

💡

Add a specific place

To sound more natural, add 'at' or 'in' plus the place name, like `When do we arrive at the hotel?`.

⚠️

The 'Are we there yet?' Trap

Avoid asking this too many times. In English-speaking cultures, repeating this question is seen as a sign of being an impatient child!

💬

The ETA Secret

If you want to sound like a pro traveler, ask `What's our ETA?`. ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival.

Exemples

6
#1 On a long road trip with a friend
😊

I'm getting a bit hungry; when do we arrive?

I'm getting a bit hungry; when do we arrive?

Linking the arrival time to a physical need like hunger.

#2 Asking a flight attendant on a plane
💼

Excuse me, when do we arrive in New York?

Excuse me, when do we arrive in New York?

Adding the destination makes it clearer for staff.

#3 Texting a partner who is on the same train
🤝

The view is great! When do we arrive at the station?

The view is great! When do we arrive at the station?

Natural way to check the time while sharing an experience.

#4 A child asking a parent for the tenth time
😄

But Daaaad, when do we arrive? My legs are bored!

But Daaaad, when do we arrive? My legs are bored!

Shows the slightly impatient but common use with family.

#5 Checking with a tour guide
👔

When do we arrive at the museum? I don't want to miss the tour.

When do we arrive at the museum? I don't want to miss the tour.

Used to ensure they won't be late for an event.

#6 Tired after a 12-hour flight
💭

I just want a bed. When do we finally arrive?

I just want a bed. When do we finally arrive?

Adding 'finally' shows exhaustion or strong desire to finish.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct word to complete the question about a trip to Paris.

When ___ we arrive in Paris?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : do

We use 'do' because the subject is 'we' in a present simple question.

Which destination fits best in this travel context?

When do we arrive ___ the airport?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : at

In English, we usually 'arrive at' a specific location like an airport or station.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of Asking About Arrival

Slang

Very informal, used with close friends.

When we there?

Neutral

Perfect for almost any situation.

When do we arrive?

Formal

Used in professional travel or announcements.

What is the estimated time of arrival?

Where to use 'When do we arrive?'

When do we arrive?
🚗

Family Car Trip

Asking your parents from the back seat.

✈️

International Flight

Asking the pilot or cabin crew.

🚌

Public Transit

Asking a fellow passenger on a bus.

🥾

Group Hike

Asking the leader when you'll reach the top.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, they mean the same thing. When are we getting there? is slightly more casual and common in spoken English.

Not really. It is best for physical travel. For a meeting, say When does the meeting start?.

Usually, we say arrive at for buildings or stations and arrive in for cities or countries. We rarely say arrive to.

Yes, it is neutral and polite. You can add Excuse me at the beginning to make it even more professional.

If you are alone, you would ask a driver When do we arrive? because you are both in the vehicle together. Or you can ask When does the bus arrive?.

No, for a package, you should ask When will it be delivered? or When does it arrive? (using 'it' instead of 'we').

The opposite would be asking about the start of the trip: When do we depart? or When do we leave?.

You can answer with a time, like We arrive at 6 PM, or a duration, like In about twenty minutes.

Yes, it uses the present simple to talk about a scheduled future event, which is very common in English.

Absolutely! It is very common to text this to someone you are traveling with if you are in different seats or cars.

Expressions liées

Are we there yet?

An impatient way to ask if the journey is over.

What's the ETA?

Asking for the 'Estimated Time of Arrival' (more technical/cool).

How much longer?

Asking about the remaining duration of the trip.

What time do we get in?

A casual way to ask about arrival time, often for trains or flights.

C'tait utile ?
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !

Commencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement

Commence Gratuitement