Le délai est plus court que prévu, donc nous devons répondre aujourd’hui.

The deadline is shorter than expected, so we have to reply today.

Breakdown of Le délai est plus court que prévu, donc nous devons répondre aujourd’hui.

• être: to be
• nous: we
• aujourd'hui: today
• donc: so

Questions & Answers about Le délai est plus court que prévu, donc nous devons répondre aujourd’hui.

What does délai mean here, and how is it different from temps or date limite?

Délai usually means a time limit, allowed period, or deadline window for doing something.

• le délai = the time allowed / the time frame
• le temps = time in a general sense
• la date limite = the final due date

So Le délai est plus court suggests that the amount of time available is shorter than expected, not just that time in general is short.

---

Why is it plus court and not plus petit?

In French, court is the normal adjective for something that lasts a short time or covers a short duration.

So you say:

• un délai court = a short deadline / short time frame
• une courte pause = a short break

Petit usually means small in size or sometimes young, so it would sound unnatural here.

---

How does plus court que work?