In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to book any professional or official appointment.
- Uses the verb 'prendre' (to take) plus 'rendez-vous'.
- Avoid using it for casual hangouts with close friends.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say you are setting up a specific time and place to meet someone. It is used for everything from booking a doctor's visit to scheduling a business meeting.
Key Examples
3 of 6Calling the doctor
Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour demain matin, s'il vous plaît.
I would like to make an appointment for tomorrow morning, please.
At the hair salon
Est-ce que je peux prendre rendez-vous pour une coupe samedi ?
Can I make an appointment for a haircut on Saturday?
Texting a colleague
On prend RDV pour faire le point sur le projet ?
Shall we set an appointment to review the project?
Cultural Background
Punctuality is key. Being late is considered rude. Similar to France, but slightly more relaxed in casual settings.
Prendre vs Avoir
Use 'prendre' to create, 'avoir' to possess.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to book any professional or official appointment.
- Uses the verb 'prendre' (to take) plus 'rendez-vous'.
- Avoid using it for casual hangouts with close friends.
What It Means
Prendre rendez-vous is your essential tool for organizing your life in France. It literally means 'to take a meeting.' You use it whenever you need to schedule a specific slot on a calendar. It is not just for formal business. It applies to the dentist, the hair salon, or the bank. Think of it as the 'booking' button for your social and professional life.
How To Use It
You treat the verb prendre like any other regular conjugation. If you are doing it now, say je prends rendez-vous. If you did it yesterday, use j'ai pris rendez-vous. You often add avec (with) to specify the person. For example, Je prends rendez-vous avec le médecin. It is simple, direct, and very common. Do not forget the hyphen between rendez and vous!
When To Use It
Use this phrase for any professional or official encounter. Use it at the doctor's office or the prefecture. Use it when calling a lawyer or a real estate agent. It is perfect for booking a haircut or a massage too. If there is a desk or a waiting room involved, this is your phrase. It shows you respect the other person's schedule.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for casual hangouts with your best friends. Saying je prends rendez-vous avec toi to a friend sounds like a joke. It makes you sound like a very busy CEO. For friends, use on se voit? or on se retrouve?. Also, do not use it for restaurant reservations. For a table, use the verb réserver instead. Using prendre rendez-vous at a bistro might get you a funny look.
Cultural Background
France is a country that runs on paper and appointments. Spontaneity is great, but bureaucracy requires a slot. The term rendez-vous dates back to the 16th century. It originally meant 'present yourselves' in a military context. Today, it is the backbone of French social etiquette. Even a quick coffee with a colleague often requires a formal invite. Being 'entre deux rendez-vous' (between two appointments) is a common French state of being.
Common Variations
You will often see the abbreviation RDV in texts and emails. J'ai rendez-vous means you already have the appointment scheduled. Annuler un rendez-vous is what you say when you need to cancel. Déplacer un rendez-vous means you want to reschedule it. If you are late, you are en retard à mon rendez-vous. These variations help you navigate the daily calendar shuffle with ease.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works in almost any setting. Just remember to conjugate 'prendre' correctly and use 'avec' for people or 'chez' for places (e.g., 'chez le médecin').
Prendre vs Avoir
Use 'prendre' to create, 'avoir' to possess.
Examples
6Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour demain matin, s'il vous plaît.
I would like to make an appointment for tomorrow morning, please.
The most common way to start a phone call to a clinic.
Est-ce que je peux prendre rendez-vous pour une coupe samedi ?
Can I make an appointment for a haircut on Saturday?
Perfect for service-based businesses.
On prend RDV pour faire le point sur le projet ?
Shall we set an appointment to review the project?
Uses the common abbreviation 'RDV'.
Désolé, je dois prendre rendez-vous avec mon banquier cet après-midi.
Sorry, I have to make an appointment with my banker this afternoon.
Explaining a busy schedule.
Tu es tellement occupée qu'il faut prendre rendez-vous pour te voir !
You're so busy I have to make an appointment to see you!
A lighthearted joke about a friend's busy life.
Il est important pour moi de prendre rendez-vous chaque semaine.
It is important for me to make an appointment every week.
Used in a more personal, serious context.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
Je dois ______ rendez-vous chez le dentiste.
The standard collocation is 'prendre rendez-vous'.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesJe dois ______ rendez-vous chez le dentiste.
The standard collocation is 'prendre rendez-vous'.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsOnly if it's a formal plan.
Related Phrases
Fixer un rendez-vous
synonymTo set an appointment
