à l'avance

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Translating...
in advance, ahead of time, beforehand
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العربية الفصحى
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/a lavɑ̃s/
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Before the planned time.
Practice using à l'avance in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Préviens-nous une semaine à l’avance.
    Let us know a week in advance.
  • Nous avons choisi la date à l’avance.
    We chose the date beforehand.
  • J’ai préparé le repas à l’avance.
    I prepared the meal ahead of time.
  • Elle a payé son billet à l’avance.
    She paid for her ticket in advance.
  • Il faut réserver à l’avance.
    You need to book in advance.

Similar words

par avance
d'avance

Meanings

Beforehand

time
neutral
At a time earlier than an event or an agreed moment.

Examples

  • Il faut réserver à l’avance.
    You need to book in advance.
  • J’ai préparé le repas à l’avance.
    I prepared the meal ahead of time.
  • Préviens-nous une semaine à l’avance.
    Let us know a week in advance.
  • Elle a payé son billet à l’avance.
    She paid for her ticket in advance.
  • Nous avons choisi la date à l’avance.
    We chose the date beforehand.

Similar words

d'avance
par avance

Etymology

Built from à, the article l’, and avance, meaning an earlier position in time.

FAQ

What does à l'avance mean?

It means before the expected time.

Can it be used with booking?

Yes. Réserver à l’avance means to book ahead.

Does it mean arriving early?

Usually it describes doing or arranging something beforehand.

Can it indicate a length of notice?

Yes: une semaine à l’avance means a week ahead.

How is it different from en avance?

En avance usually describes being early compared with a schedule.

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