accusé de réception
/a.ky.ze d(ə) ʁe.sɛp.sjɔ̃/
The English phrase 'acknowledgement' is translated into French as accusé de réception.
Accusé de réception is used to acknowledge the receipt of something like an email or a package. To use the phrase as a verb (to acknowledge receipt), you use the verbal form accuser réception.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 5 syllables and is pronounced /a.ky.ze d(ə) ʁe.sɛp.sjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- In the French postal system, a lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception is a specific service where the sender receives a physical pink card signed by the recipient.
- While 'acknowledgement' in English can refer to a thank-you section in a book, the French accusé de réception is strictly for confirming receipt and cannot be used for gratitude.
- The term accuser is used here in its literal sense to mean 'to declare' or 'to state', rather than the more common sense of 'to blame' someone.
Examples in context
- Veuillez accuser réception de ce courriel.Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
- J'ai bien reçu l'accusé de réception.I have received the acknowledgement.
- Veuillez m'envoyer un accusé de réception.Please send me an acknowledgement.
- L'accusé de réception est automatique.The acknowledgement is automatic.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are discussing a formal email sent to a client.
- LucasAs-tu reçu l'accusé de réception pour le client ?Did you receive the acknowledgement for the client?
- EmmaOui, Lucas, il est arrivé ce matin.Yes, Lucas, it arrived this morning.
- LucasParfait, c'est une bonne nouvelle.Perfect, that is good news.
- EmmaJe vais l'archiver tout de suite.I will archive it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry accusé de réception, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
