French -
 

My husband and I are having a disagreement over how something is said in French. We have been learning French and learn more and more each trip but we disagree on the following:

I say that when making a reservation for a table for two at 8 PM it is said '

Je voudrais une réservation pour une table pour 2 à 8

but he says it should be with the 24 hour clock and should be

Je voudrais une réservation pour une table pour 2 à 20:00

Which is correct ? I want to be correct when making our dinner reservations in Paris

Thanks

Either way will be acceptable. The I only time I make a point of using the 24 hour clock is when there might be confusion , from the 12 hour clock. I would, for example, never make a booking for 6 at 8:00 p.m., that would be 20:00.

Using the 24-hr. clock/time virtually eliminates the chance of confusion. I vote for 20:00.

You can say either one but using the 24 hour clock is the norm. From my experience, a French person always uses that when giving you a specific time.

24 hour clock : for "official" French : train or plane timetable, administrative language, opening time of shops, museums, etc....
12 hour clock : for everyday use.
We would say : je voudrais réserver une table pour 2 à 8 heures. It is obvious that you are not referring to 8 am. To really make sure, we would add "à 8 heures du soir".

<i>Vingt heures</i> is the norm, even in most casual conversations.

>>pour 2 à 8 <<

Might also be read as "for between 2 and 8 people" - you need the time indicator.

he is.

Est-ce que vous pourriez me réserver une table pour 2 personnes pour ce/demain/dimanche... soir à huit heures?

I think its also worth remembering it's a conversation and you don't need to learn/recite the whole thing in a oner

For example.

Peux-je reserver un table svp?

Oui, a quelle heure/jour etc etc

Ce soir, huit heures

Combien de personnes?

Deux personnes.

Merci etc etc

That's how 80 year old people talk, because they have not all adapted to modern timekeeping.