Meaning
To be running behind schedule or to be late.
Cultural Background
In social settings, being 10-15 minutes late is often expected (the 'quart d'heure de politesse'). However, saying you are 'à la bourre' suggests you've exceeded even that grace period. While understood, Quebecers might more frequently use 'être en retard' or other local expressions, though 'à la bourre' has gained ground due to French media. In modern French startups, 'à la bourre' is almost the standard way to describe project delays, reflecting a more relaxed, 'cool' office culture.
Sound like a local
Say 'Chuis grave à la bourre' to sound exactly like a Parisian teenager or young professional.
The 'Drunk' Trap
Never forget the 'à la'. If you say 'Je suis bourré', people will think you've had too much wine!
Meaning
To be running behind schedule or to be late.
Sound like a local
Say 'Chuis grave à la bourre' to sound exactly like a Parisian teenager or young professional.
The 'Drunk' Trap
Never forget the 'à la'. If you say 'Je suis bourré', people will think you've had too much wine!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'être'.
Désolé, nous ___ à la bourre !
We use 'être' with 'à la bourre'. For 'nous', the form is 'sommes'.
In which situation is it appropriate to say 'Je suis à la bourre'?
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom used for casual social situations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu arrives quand ? B: J'arrive ! Je suis ___.
The fixed phrase is always 'à la bourre'.
Which sentence means 'I am behind on my work'?
Select the correct option:
We use the preposition 'sur' to indicate what we are behind on.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Lateness Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDésolé, nous ___ à la bourre !
We use 'être' with 'à la bourre'. For 'nous', the form is 'sommes'.
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom used for casual social situations.
A: Tu arrives quand ? B: J'arrive ! Je suis ___.
The fixed phrase is always 'à la bourre'.
Select the correct option:
We use the preposition 'sur' to indicate what we are behind on.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it's a bit too casual. Use 'Je suis désolé d'être en retard' instead.
Usually yes, but you can say a project or a train is 'à la bourre' in very casual speech.
The opposite is 'être en avance' (to be early). There is no informal idiom for being early that is as common as 'à la bourre'.
Related Phrases
être charrette
specialized formTo be overwhelmed by a deadline.
être à la ramasse
similarTo be completely out of it or very behind.
être en retard
synonymTo be late.
