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A1 noun #2,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

rendez-vous

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At the A1 beginner level, 'rendez-vous' is one of the most important vocabulary words you will learn because it helps you manage your daily schedule. Simply put, it means 'an appointment' or 'a meeting'. When you are in a French-speaking country, you will need to see a doctor, meet a friend, or speak with a teacher. All of these require a 'rendez-vous'. To use this word correctly, you only need to know a few basic verbs. The most important one is 'avoir' (to have). If you want to tell someone that you are busy because you have an appointment, you say: 'J'ai un rendez-vous'. You can add the time by saying 'à' followed by the hour. For example, 'J'ai un rendez-vous à trois heures' means 'I have an appointment at three o'clock'. If you want to specify who the appointment is with, use 'avec' (with) for people like friends or clients, and 'chez' (at the place of) for professionals like doctors or hairdressers. For example, 'J'ai un rendez-vous avec Paul' (I have a meeting with Paul) or 'J'ai un rendez-vous chez le docteur' (I have an appointment at the doctor's). Another crucial verb is 'prendre' (to take). In English, we say 'to make an appointment', but in French, you must say 'prendre rendez-vous'. If you call a clinic, you will say 'Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous s'il vous plaît' (Hello, I would like to make an appointment please). It is a masculine noun, so it uses 'un' or 'le'. The spelling has a hyphen in the middle, and it ends with an 's', which means the plural form is exactly the same: 'des rendez-vous'. Remember, never use the English word 'date' to talk about meeting someone, as 'date' in French only means the day of the month. Always use 'rendez-vous' for any planned meeting.

At the A2 level, your ability to manage your schedule in French becomes more advanced. You already know how to say you have an appointment ('J'ai un rendez-vous') and how to make one ('prendre rendez-vous'). Now, you need to learn how to handle changes to your schedule, which is a very common real-life situation. Sometimes, you cannot make it to your appointment. In this case, you need the verb 'annuler' (to cancel). You can call and say, 'Je dois annuler mon rendez-vous' (I must cancel my appointment). If you still want the appointment but need it at a different time, you use the verb 'reporter' (to postpone) or 'déplacer' (to move). For example, 'Est-il possible de reporter mon rendez-vous à demain ?' (Is it possible to postpone my appointment to tomorrow?). You will also start encountering the phrase 'sur rendez-vous'. This is very common on signs outside businesses, meaning 'by appointment only'. For example, a sign at the town hall might say 'Ouvert uniquement sur rendez-vous' (Open only by appointment). At this level, you should also be comfortable using 'rendez-vous' for social situations. If you want to meet friends, you can use the reflexive verb 'se donner rendez-vous' (to agree to meet). For instance, 'On se donne rendez-vous devant le cinéma à 20h' (Let's meet in front of the cinema at 8 PM). You might also see the abbreviation 'RDV' in text messages from your French friends. It is simply the first letters of the word and is pronounced 'air-day-vay'. Using these new verbs and expressions will make your communication much more flexible and natural when dealing with time and meetings.

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At the B1 intermediate level, your understanding of 'rendez-vous' expands beyond simple logistics into more nuanced professional and social contexts. You are no longer just making doctor's appointments; you are navigating the workplace and social dynamics. In a professional setting, 'rendez-vous' is frequently used to denote external meetings, such as meeting a client, a supplier, or having a job interview ('un rendez-vous d'embauche'). It is important to distinguish it from 'une réunion', which is typically an internal meeting with colleagues. If a colleague asks where the boss is, you might reply, 'Il est en rendez-vous extérieur' (He is in an external meeting). You also learn to use more sophisticated verbs to manage these meetings. Instead of just 'prendre', you might use 'fixer' (to set/arrange). 'Nous devons fixer un rendez-vous pour discuter du projet' (We need to set a meeting to discuss the project). You will also hear 'confirmer' (to confirm) and 'avancer' (to bring forward). 'Je vous appelle pour confirmer notre rendez-vous de demain' (I am calling to confirm our meeting tomorrow). In social contexts, 'rendez-vous' can carry a romantic connotation. While 'un rendez-vous' can just be a meeting between friends, context often implies a date. To be absolutely clear, one might say 'un rendez-vous galant', though this sounds a bit old-fashioned; younger people often just say 'un rencard' (slang for date). Furthermore, 'rendez-vous' starts to be used metaphorically. A popular TV show or a weekly podcast might be described as 'un rendez-vous incontournable' (an unmissable event/fixture). This shows how the word shifts from a strict time-slot to a broader concept of a scheduled gathering or event.

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At the B2 upper-intermediate level, you are expected to use 'rendez-vous' with complete fluency, incorporating idiomatic expressions and understanding its abstract applications in media, literature, and complex professional scenarios. In the corporate world, you will use advanced phrasing to negotiate schedules. You might say, 'Pouvons-nous convenir d'un rendez-vous ?' (Can we agree on a meeting?) or 'Mon emploi du temps est chargé, mais je peux vous accorder un rendez-vous' (My schedule is full, but I can grant you a meeting). You will also understand the subtle difference between 'avoir rendez-vous' (the state of having a meeting scheduled) and 'se rendre à un rendez-vous' (the physical act of going to the meeting). Metaphorically, 'rendez-vous' is heavily used in journalism and public speaking to denote a crucial moment in time or a recurring event. For example, a journalist might describe an upcoming election as 'un rendez-vous avec l'histoire' (an appointment with history) or a major sports final as 'le grand rendez-vous de la saison' (the big event of the season). You will also encounter the expression 'être au rendez-vous', which means to be present, to show up, or to meet expectations. For instance, if a product launch is successful, one might say, 'Le succès était au rendez-vous' (Success was present/achieved). Conversely, 'manquer le rendez-vous' means to miss an opportunity. 'L'entreprise a manqué le rendez-vous du numérique' (The company missed the digital revolution). Understanding these figurative uses allows you to read French newspapers, watch the news, and participate in high-level discussions where 'rendez-vous' is not just about a calendar, but about timing, opportunity, and societal events.

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At the C1 advanced level, your mastery of 'rendez-vous' involves a deep appreciation of its etymological roots, its varied registers, and its sophisticated figurative uses in literature and rhetoric. The word literally stems from the imperative 'rendez-vous' (present yourselves / betake yourselves), and this historical weight sometimes colors its use in formal or dramatic contexts. You will comfortably navigate expressions like 'un lieu de rendez-vous' (a meeting place) or 'un point de rendez-vous' (a rallying point), which are often used in logistical, military, or emergency contexts. In literary or journalistic analysis, you will frequently see the concept of 'le rendez-vous manqué' (the missed appointment), which is a powerful metaphor for a failed historical opportunity or a tragic misunderstanding between people or nations. For example, an editorial might lament, 'C'est un rendez-vous manqué pour l'écologie' (It is a missed opportunity for ecology). You will also use 'donner rendez-vous' in a figurative sense to project into the future. A politician ending a speech might say, 'Je vous donne rendez-vous l'année prochaine pour faire le bilan' (I look forward to seeing you next year to take stock). Here, it is not a literal calendar invite, but a rhetorical device to promise future engagement. Furthermore, you understand the nuances of register. You know that 'rencard' is strictly colloquial, 'entrevue' is highly formal and often implies a power dynamic, and 'rendez-vous' remains the versatile anchor. You can effortlessly switch between 'caler un rendez-vous' (informal: to slot in a meeting) and 'convenir d'une entrevue' (formal: to agree upon an interview), demonstrating a native-like command of the language's subtleties.

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At the C2 mastery level, 'rendez-vous' is fully integrated into your linguistic repertoire, allowing you to play with its meaning, invent metaphors, and appreciate its use in classic French literature and philosophy. You recognize how the word has transcended its literal meaning to become a philosophical concept regarding fate and destiny. In literature, a 'rendez-vous' often symbolizes an inescapable encounter, such as 'le rendez-vous avec la mort' (the appointment with death), echoing the idea that certain events are preordained. You are capable of analyzing texts where the author plays on the duality of the word—both as a mundane scheduling tool and a profound life event. You can employ highly sophisticated idiomatic structures, such as 'être à l'heure au rendez-vous' not just literally, but meaning to rise to the occasion during a crisis. In diplomatic or high-level business discourse, you understand phrases like 'un rendez-vous au sommet' (a summit meeting), which carries the weight of international relations. You are also attuned to the subtle irony or sarcasm that can be conveyed using the word. For instance, describing a disastrous project as 'un rendez-vous de l'incompétence' (a gathering of incompetence). At this level, you do not just use the word; you manipulate it to serve your rhetorical needs, whether writing a persuasive essay, delivering a keynote speech, or engaging in complex literary critique. Your understanding of 'rendez-vous' reflects a profound comprehension of French culture, where the act of meeting, discussing, and confronting is central to the societal fabric.

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A scheduled appointment or meeting.
Used with the verb 'prendre' (to take).
Spelled with a hyphen: rendez-vous.
Plural form is exactly the same.

The French word 'rendez-vous' is a fundamental noun that translates directly to 'appointment', 'meeting', or 'date' in English. To truly understand its depth, we must look at its origins and how it functions in everyday French. Historically, it comes from the imperative form of the reflexive verb 'se rendre', which means 'to betake oneself' or 'to go'. When you say 'rendez-vous', you are literally saying 'go yourselves' or 'present yourselves' at a specific place and time. Over the centuries, this imperative phrase transformed into a hyphenated noun, becoming a staple of both formal and informal communication. In modern French, a 'rendez-vous' is any pre-arranged meeting between two or more people. This can range from a highly formal medical consultation to a casual coffee meetup with a friend, or even a romantic date. The versatility of this word is what makes it so essential for learners at the A1 level. You will hear it in clinics, corporate offices, restaurants, and train stations. It is a masculine noun, so it is preceded by 'un' or 'le'. The plural form remains exactly the same: 'des rendez-vous', because words ending in 's' do not change in the plural in French. Let us explore some practical examples to solidify this concept.

J'ai un rendez-vous chez le médecin ce matin.

This sentence demonstrates the most common usage: a medical appointment. Notice the use of the preposition 'chez' for professionals.

Medical Context: In healthcare, it strictly means an appointment. You cannot just walk in; you must have a rendez-vous.

Moving beyond the medical field, the business world relies heavily on this term.

Le directeur a un rendez-vous important avec les clients.

Here, it translates to 'meeting'. While 'réunion' is also used for meetings, 'rendez-vous' often implies a scheduled encounter with external parties rather than an internal staff gathering.

Professional Context: Used for client meetings, interviews, and professional consultations.

In personal life, the word takes on a softer, sometimes romantic tone.

Ils ont un rendez-vous romantique ce soir au restaurant.

In English, we simply say 'a date'. In French, 'un rendez-vous' can mean a date, though sometimes people specify 'rendez-vous galant' to be clear, or use the slang 'rencard'.

Social Context: Meeting friends at a cafe or going on a romantic outing.

N'oublie pas notre rendez-vous à la gare.

C'est le rendez-vous incontournable de l'année.

This last example shows an abstract use, meaning an 'unmissable event'. As you can see, mastering this single noun unlocks a massive portion of daily French communication, allowing you to navigate schedules, social lives, and professional obligations with ease and confidence.

Using 'rendez-vous' correctly requires knowing the specific verbs and prepositions that accompany it. Unlike English, where we 'make' an appointment, French uses a different set of action verbs. The most critical verb to pair with this noun is 'prendre' (to take). When you want to schedule a meeting, you say 'prendre rendez-vous'. Notice that the article 'un' is often dropped in this specific verbal phrase, though 'prendre un rendez-vous' is also grammatically acceptable and widely used. Let us look at how this works in practice.

Je dois prendre rendez-vous avec le dentiste.

This is the standard formula: prendre + rendez-vous + avec + person.

Scheduling: Use 'prendre' to initiate the scheduling process. Never use 'faire'.

Once an appointment is set, you 'have' it. The verb 'avoir' is used to express possession of the scheduled time.

J'ai un rendez-vous à quinze heures.

Here, we include the article 'un'. You are stating a fact about your schedule.

Possession: Use 'avoir un rendez-vous' to state that your schedule is blocked for a meeting.

But what happens when plans change? Life is unpredictable, and you must know how to alter your schedule. To cancel, use the verb 'annuler'.

Je suis malade, je dois annuler mon rendez-vous.

To postpone or reschedule, use 'reporter' or 'déplacer'.

Pouvons-nous reporter notre rendez-vous à demain ?

Modifying: Verbs like annuler (cancel), reporter (postpone), and avancer (bring forward) are essential for schedule management.

Another important verb is 'donner' (to give). When someone gives you an appointment, they are assigning you a time slot.

La secrétaire m'a donné un rendez-vous pour lundi.

Understanding these verb pairings—prendre, avoir, annuler, reporter, donner, and fixer—will give you complete control over how you use this noun in any situation, ensuring your French sounds natural and fluent.

The beauty of the word 'rendez-vous' lies in its omnipresence in Francophone culture. You will hear it in almost every facet of daily life, from the most mundane administrative tasks to the most exciting social events. Let us explore the diverse environments where this word is constantly spoken. First and foremost, the healthcare system. In France, you cannot simply show up at a specialist's office; the system revolves entirely around scheduling.

Les consultations se font uniquement sur rendez-vous.

This phrase, 'sur rendez-vous' (by appointment only), is plastered on doors of doctors, dentists, and even hair salons across the country.

Services: Any service requiring dedicated time from a professional will use the 'sur rendez-vous' model.

In the corporate environment, the word is equally prevalent. Offices buzz with people organizing their calendars.

Je serai en rendez-vous toute la matinée.

Here, being 'en rendez-vous' means being in a meeting and therefore unavailable. It is a polite way to tell colleagues not to disturb you.

Workplace: Used to block out calendar time and indicate unavailability due to external or important meetings.

Moving to the social sphere, you will hear it among friends planning their weekends.

On se donne rendez-vous devant le cinéma ?

This reflexive use, 'se donner rendez-vous', translates to 'let us meet up'. It is highly common for establishing a meeting point.

Socializing: A casual way to agree on a time and place to meet friends or family.

Finally, in media and pop culture, the word is used to denote a scheduled broadcast or an important cultural event.

Le journal télévisé est le rendez-vous de l'information.

Le Festival de Cannes est un rendez-vous mondial du cinéma.

In these contexts, it means a 'gathering' or a 'fixture' in the calendar. Whether you are watching TV, texting a friend, or calling a clinic, this word is an inescapable and vital part of the French linguistic landscape.

Even though 'rendez-vous' is introduced early in French learning, students frequently make mistakes with its usage, grammar, and cultural nuances. The most glaring error for English speakers is translating 'to make an appointment' literally into French. Many beginners say 'faire un rendez-vous'. This is completely incorrect and sounds very unnatural to a native ear.

Correct: Je veux prendre rendez-vous.

Verb Choice: Always use 'prendre' (to take), never 'faire' (to make), when scheduling.

Another frequent confusion arises between 'rendez-vous' and 'réunion'. While both can translate to 'meeting', they are used in different contexts. A 'réunion' is typically an internal gathering of multiple people, like a staff meeting or a committee. A 'rendez-vous' is usually an external meeting, often one-on-one, like meeting a client or a doctor.

J'ai une réunion avec mon équipe, puis un rendez-vous avec un client.

Vocabulary Nuance: Réunion = internal group meeting. Rendez-vous = external or one-on-one appointment.

Spelling and grammar also trip up learners. The word contains a hyphen. Writing 'rendez vous' without the hyphen is a spelling mistake. Furthermore, learners often try to pluralize it by adding an 's' at the end, writing 'rendez-vouses' or 'rendez-vouss'. Because the word already ends in an 's', its plural form is identical to its singular form.

Singulier: un rendez-vous.

Pluriel: des rendez-vous.

Orthography: Do not forget the hyphen, and remember that the plural form does not change spelling.

Faux: J'ai une date avec Marie. Vrai: J'ai un rendez-vous avec Marie.

By avoiding these common pitfalls—using the wrong verb, confusing it with internal meetings, misspelling it, and using false friends—you will sound much more like a native speaker and avoid confusing situations.

To build a rich vocabulary, it is essential to understand words that are similar to 'rendez-vous' and know exactly when to use which. While 'rendez-vous' is the ultimate catch-all term for appointments and meetings, French has several specific words that offer finer nuances. Let us start with 'réunion'. As mentioned earlier, a 'réunion' is a gathering of several people, usually for work, to discuss specific topics.

La réunion d'équipe est à dix heures, mais mon rendez-vous client est à midi.

Réunion: Best translated as 'meeting' in a corporate, multi-person context.

Another related word is 'rencontre'. This translates to 'encounter' or 'meeting' in the sense of meeting someone for the first time, or a sports match. It implies the act of coming across someone, sometimes by chance, whereas a rendez-vous is always planned.

Notre première rencontre était magique, bien avant notre premier rendez-vous.

Rencontre: Focuses on the event of meeting someone, often for the first time, or a sporting event.

J'ai un super rencard ce soir, c'est un rendez-vous très attendu.

For highly formal or official meetings, such as an interview or a meeting with a government official, the word 'entrevue' is sometimes used. It implies a formal discussion.

Le ministre a accordé une entrevue, un rendez-vous exclusif.

Entrevue: A formal interview or discussion, often with someone of high status.

Finally, in the medical field, while you book a 'rendez-vous', the actual time spent with the doctor is called a 'consultation'.

J'ai pris rendez-vous pour une consultation médicale.

Understanding the subtle differences between rendez-vous, réunion, rencontre, rencard, entrevue, and consultation will ensure you always choose the perfect word for the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Using 'chez' vs 'avec'

The verb 'prendre' conjugation

Reflexive verbs (se donner)

Prepositions of time (à, vers)

Invariable nouns in the plural

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Beispiele nach Niveau

J'ai un rendez-vous chez le médecin.

I have an appointment at the doctor's.

Use 'chez' for medical professionals.

Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.

I would like to make an appointment.

Use the verb 'prendre', not 'faire'.

Mon rendez-vous est à dix heures.

My appointment is at ten o'clock.

Time is introduced with the preposition 'à'.

Tu as un rendez-vous aujourd'hui ?

Do you have an appointment today?

Question using 'avoir'.

C'est un rendez-vous important.

It is an important meeting.

Adjective 'important' follows the noun.

Le rendez-vous est lundi.

The appointment is on Monday.

Days of the week do not need a preposition here.

J'ai un rendez-vous avec Marie.

I have a meeting with Marie.

Use 'avec' for people.

Où est le rendez-vous ?

Where is the meeting?

Question word 'Où' (where).

Je dois annuler mon rendez-vous.

I must cancel my appointment.

Verb 'annuler' used in the infinitive after 'dois'.

Pouvons-nous reporter le rendez-vous ?

Can we postpone the meeting?

Verb 'reporter' means to postpone.

Le salon de coiffure est sur rendez-vous.

The hair salon is by appointment only.

Expression 'sur rendez-vous'.

On se donne rendez-vous au parc.

Let's meet at the park.

Reflexive phrase 'se donner rendez-vous'.

J'ai oublié notre rendez-vous !

I forgot our appointment!

Passé composé of 'oublier'.

Il est en retard pour son rendez-vous.

He is late for his appointment.

Expression 'être en retard pour'.

Confirmez votre rendez-vous par SMS.

Confirm your appointment by text.

Imperative form of 'confirmer'.

C'est mon premier rendez-vous avec lui.

It is my first date with him.

Ordinal number 'premier' before the noun.

Il est actuellement en rendez-vous extérieur.

He is currently in an external meeting.

Expression 'en rendez-vous'.

Nous devons fixer un rendez-vous rapidement.

We need to set up a meeting quickly.

Verb 'fixer' used for scheduling.

C'est le rendez-vous incontournable de l'année.

It is the unmissable event of the year.

Adjective 'incontournable' meaning unmissable.

Je vous appelle pour avancer notre rendez-vous.

I am calling to bring our meeting forward.

Verb 'avancer' means to make it earlier.

Ils ont eu un rendez-vous galant hier soir.

They had a romantic date last night.

Adjective 'galant' specifies a romantic date.

Le lieu du rendez-vous a été modifié.

The meeting place has been changed.

Passive voice 'a été modifié'.

Merci de vous présenter à l'heure au rendez-vous.

Please arrive on time for the appointment.

Formal request 'Merci de + infinitive'.

J'ai noté le rendez-vous dans mon agenda.

I noted the appointment in my diary.

Vocabulary 'agenda' (diary/planner).

Pouvons-nous convenir d'un rendez-vous la semaine prochaine ?

Can we agree on a meeting next week?

Formal verb 'convenir de'.

Le succès n'était pas au rendez-vous cette fois-ci.

Success was not achieved this time.

Idiom 'être au rendez-vous' used negatively.

C'est un rendez-vous avec l'histoire pour notre pays.

It is an appointment with history for our country.

Metaphorical use of the noun.

Il a manqué le rendez-vous de la transition écologique.

He missed the opportunity of the ecological transition.

Expression 'manquer le rendez-vous' (miss the boat).

Je peux vous accorder un rendez-vous de quinze minutes.

I can grant you a fifteen-minute meeting.

Verb 'accorder' implies giving permission/time.

Le point de rendez-vous est fixé à la gare centrale.

The meeting point is set at the central station.

Compound noun 'point de rendez-vous'.

Elle a enchaîné les rendez-vous toute la journée.

She had back-to-back meetings all day.

Verb 'enchaîner' meaning to do consecutively.

Ce festival est le grand rendez-vous des cinéphiles.

This festival is the major gathering for film lovers.

Used to describe a major cultural gathering.

C'est un rendez-vous manqué qui aura de lourdes conséquences.

It is a missed opportunity that will have heavy consequences.

Concept of 'le rendez-vous manqué'.

Je vous donne rendez-vous l'année prochaine pour le bilan.

I look forward to seeing you next year for the review.

Rhetorical use of 'donner rendez-vous'.

Les syndicats ont obtenu une entrevue, un rendez-vous crucial.

The unions obtained an interview, a crucial meeting.

Apposition explaining 'entrevue'.

La ponctualité est la politesse des rois, surtout pour un tel rendez-vous.

Punctuality is the politeness of kings, especially for such a meeting.

Use of a famous proverb in context.

Il faut caler ce rendez-vous entre deux vols internationaux.

We need to slot this meeting in between two international flights.

Colloquial verb 'caler' used in a professional context.

Le public a répondu présent à ce rendez-vous culturel.

The public turned out for this cultural event.

Expression 'répondre présent à un rendez-vous'.

Ce sommet est le rendez-vous de la dernière chance pour le climat.

This summit is the last-chance meeting for the climate.

Expression 'rendez-vous de la dernière chance'.

Leur relation n'était qu'une succession de rendez-vous clandestins.

Their relationship was nothing but a succession of secret meetings.

Adjective 'clandestin' modifying the noun.

La mort est le seul rendez-vous auquel on ne peut se soustraire.

Death is the only appointment one cannot evade.

Philosophical/literary use with relative pronoun 'auquel'.

L'auteur orchestre un magistral rendez-vous des destins croisés.

The author orchestrates a masterful convergence of intertwined destinies.

Literary critique vocabulary.

Ce projet s'est avéré être le rendez-vous de l'incompétence et de l'arrogance.

This project turned out to be the convergence of incompetence and arrogance.

Sarcastic/critical metaphorical use.

Il a su être au rendez-vous de l'Histoire quand la nation vacillait.

He knew how to rise to the occasion of History when the nation faltered.

Elevated historical rhetoric.

Leur correspondance n'était qu'un long rendez-vous spirituel.

Their correspondence was merely a long spiritual encounter.

Abstract use denoting a connection of minds.

C'est dans l'adversité que l'on jauge ceux qui honorent leurs rendez-vous.

It is in adversity that we judge those who honor their commitments.

'Honorer un rendez-vous' meaning fulfilling a duty.

La diplomatie exige de multiplier les rendez-vous de l'ombre.

Diplomacy requires multiplying behind-the-scenes meetings.

Poetic phrase 'rendez-vous de l'ombre'.

Toute grande œuvre est un rendez-vous intime entre le créateur et son public.

Every great work is an intimate encounter between the creator and their audience.

Aesthetic/philosophical definition.

Häufige Kollokationen

prendre rendez-vous

avoir rendez-vous

annuler un rendez-vous

reporter un rendez-vous

fixer un rendez-vous

donner rendez-vous

un rendez-vous médical

un rendez-vous professionnel

un rendez-vous galant

sur rendez-vous

Häufige Phrasen

J'ai un rendez-vous.

Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.

On se donne rendez-vous où ?

C'est sur rendez-vous uniquement.

Je suis en rendez-vous.

Reporter à une date ultérieure.

Un lieu de rendez-vous.

Le point de rendez-vous.

Un rendez-vous manqué.

Être au rendez-vous.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

rendez-vous vs Réunion (Internal group meeting)

rendez-vous vs Date (Calendar date, not a meeting)

rendez-vous vs Rencontre (Chance encounter or sports match)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"être au rendez-vous"

"manquer le rendez-vous"

"un rendez-vous avec l'histoire"

"donner rendez-vous à quelqu'un"

"le rendez-vous de la dernière chance"

"un rendez-vous en terre inconnue"

"le grand rendez-vous"

"un rendez-vous au sommet"

"répondre présent au rendez-vous"

"le rendez-vous des amis"

Leicht verwechselbar

rendez-vous vs

Satzmuster

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So verwendest du es

common errors

Saying 'faire un rendez-vous' instead of 'prendre un rendez-vous'.

literal meaning

Go yourselves / present yourselves.

figurative meaning

A fateful encounter or major event.

Häufige Fehler

Saying 'faire un rendez-vous' instead of 'prendre un rendez-vous'.
Writing 'rendez vous' without the hyphen.
Adding an 's' for the plural ('des rendez-vouss').
Using the English word 'date' for a romantic meeting.
Using 'avec' instead of 'chez' for a doctor ('avec le médecin' instead of 'chez le médecin').

Tipps

Never use FAIRE

The biggest mistake English speakers make is saying 'faire un rendez-vous'. Always use 'prendre' (to take). Memorize 'prendre rendez-vous'.

Don't forget the hyphen

Always write it with a hyphen: rendez-vous. Without it, it looks like a verb conjugation mistake.

Invisible Plural

Do not add an 's' to make it plural. 'Un rendez-vous' becomes 'des rendez-vous'. The spelling stays exactly the same.

Date vs Rendez-vous

Never say 'J'ai une date' to mean you are meeting someone romantically. 'Une date' is only a calendar date (like October 5th). Use 'rendez-vous'.

Chez vs Avec

Use 'chez' for professionals (chez le dentiste). Use 'avec' for regular people (avec mon ami).

Use RDV in texts

When texting French friends, use 'RDV' to sound natural. 'RDV à 20h' is perfectly acceptable and very common.

Silent letters

Do not pronounce the 'z' or the 's'. It sounds like 'ran-day-voo'.

Punctuality matters

For a medical or professional rendez-vous, be exactly on time. The French value punctuality in these contexts.

Learn the trio of verbs

Memorize the three main actions: prendre (to make), annuler (to cancel), reporter (to postpone).

Se donner rendez-vous

Use 'On se donne rendez-vous' to say 'Let's meet up'. It is the most natural way to plan a gathering with friends.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine you are 'RENDEring' yourself 'VOUS' (to you) at a specific time. You are giving yourself to the meeting.

Wortherkunft

French

Kultureller Kontext

Do not miss a medical rendez-vous without calling to cancel. In France, doctors can penalize or refuse patients who 'pose un lapin' (stand them up).

Highly versatile. Can be very formal (doctor) or very informal (date).

In Quebec, 'un rendez-vous' is standard, but for a romantic date, they often use the English word 'une date'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"À quelle heure est ton rendez-vous ?"

"Tu as pu prendre rendez-vous avec le docteur ?"

"On se donne rendez-vous où pour ce soir ?"

"Est-ce que tu es libre ou tu as un rendez-vous ?"

"Comment s'est passé ton rendez-vous ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe the last important rendez-vous you had.

Write a dialogue where you call a dentist to schedule a rendez-vous.

Explain why you prefer planned rendez-vous over spontaneous meetings.

Write an email canceling a rendez-vous because you are sick.

Describe your ideal romantic rendez-vous.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, 'rendez-vous' is the standard word for a romantic date in French. To be specific, you can say 'rendez-vous galant', but usually, the context makes it clear. Younger people also use the slang word 'rencard'.

Because it originated as a verb phrase ('rendez vous' meaning 'present yourselves'). When it became a noun, the hyphen was added to link the words together into a single concept.

You do not change the spelling. Because it already ends in an 's', the plural is exactly the same: 'des rendez-vous'. Only the article changes (un -> des, le -> les).

No, this is a direct translation from English ('to make an appointment') and is incorrect in French. You must always use the verb 'prendre' (to take) -> 'prendre un rendez-vous'.

'RDV' is the common abbreviation for 'rendez-vous'. It is used in text messages, emails, and on signs to save space. It is pronounced by saying the letters: R-D-V (air-day-vay).

A 'réunion' is usually a meeting with several people, like a staff meeting at work. A 'rendez-vous' is typically an appointment with one person, like a doctor, a client, or a friend.

For medical professionals and businesses named after a person's profession (doctor, dentist, hairdresser), you use 'chez'. Example: 'J'ai rendez-vous chez le médecin'. For friends or specific named individuals, use 'avec'.

To cancel, use the verb 'annuler'. You can say 'Je voudrais annuler mon rendez-vous' (I would like to cancel my appointment).

It means 'by appointment only'. You will see this on signs for clinics, salons, and government offices, indicating you cannot just walk in for service.

It is a masculine noun. You say 'un rendez-vous' or 'le rendez-vous'.

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writing

Write a short sentence saying you have an appointment at the doctor's.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use 'avoir' and 'chez'.