French Conversation · Level 125
55 words
French word
décaler
Pronunciation
IPA/dekale/
Meaning
- verbreschedule
Example
On va décaler la réunion à 15 heures.
We are going to reschedule the meeting for 3 p.m.
More examples
Nous avons dû décaler la réunion à cause d'un imprévu.
We had to postpone the meeting because of an unforeseen event.
Core concept
A fixed slot or placement is nudged to another slot or place rather than being cancelled.
Common phrases
décaler la réunion
postpone the meeting
décaler l'heure
change the time
décaler un rendez-vous
reschedule an appointment
Similar words
reporter: To move a planned event or appointment to a later time or date.
déplacer: To move an object or meeting to a different place.
avancer: To move a scheduled time forward to an earlier time.
Definition in French
Modifier légèrement le moment ou l'emplacement d'une chose en la faisant passer d'un créneau ou d'un endroit à un autre, sans annuler.
Word origin
The verb is built on caler, "to fix or wedge in place," with dé- marking removal from that position; its sense extends to schedules and locations.
Usage tips
- Décaler is transitive in standard use, as in décaler la réunion; the thing being moved is the direct object, not introduced by à.