How to Say “Call” in French: Formal and Informal Ways

When learning a new language, it’s essential to know how to express everyday actions, such as making a phone call. In French, there are various ways to say “call” depending on the formality and the context of the conversation. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “call” in French, providing you with useful tips and examples. Let’s dive in and expand your French vocabulary!

Formal Ways to Say “Call” in French

In formal situations, it’s important to use appropriate language. Here are some formal ways to express the action of calling someone in French:

1. Appeler: This is the most common and neutral verb used to say “call” in formal situations. For instance, you could say: “Je vous appelle pour confirmer notre rendez-vous” (I’m calling you to confirm our appointment).
2. Téléphoner: This verb also means “to call” and is mostly used when referring to a phone call specifically. For instance, you could say: “Je souhaite téléphoner à mon collègue” (I want to call my colleague).
3. Joindre: Although more commonly translated as “reach,” “joindre” can also be used in a formal sense when referring to calling someone. For example: “Je tente de vous joindre depuis ce matin” (I’ve been trying to reach you since this morning).
4. Passer un coup de fil: This phrase is a more colloquial way of saying “make a phone call.” For instance, you could say: “Je vais passer un coup de fil à mon patron” (I’m going to make a phone call to my boss).

Informal Ways to Say “Call” in French

In less formal situations, such as speaking with friends or family, you can use more casual language. Here are some informal ways to say “call” in French:

1. Appeler: While “appeler” is also used in formal situations, it can be used in a more relaxed context when speaking with friends. For example: “Je t’appelle demain matin” (I’ll call you tomorrow morning).
2. Téléphoner à: Similar to the formal usage, this verb phrase also means “to call.” For instance, you could say: “Je vais téléphoner à ma mère ce soir” (I’m going to call my mother tonight).
3. Passer un coup de fil à: This colloquial phrase works well in informal conversations. For example: “J’ai passé un coup de fil à mon ami pour l’inviter au cinéma” (I called my friend to invite him/her to the movies).
4. Appeler quelqu’un en direct: This expression is used when referring to a live or direct call. For instance: “J’ai appeler mes amis en direct pendant la soirée” (I called my friends live during the party).

A Few Regional Variations

While French is mainly consistent across regions, there are a few minor variations in vocabulary usage for “call” depending on the region. Here are a couple of examples:

In Quebec, Canada, the verb “téléphoner” is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, similar to the standard French. However, “jaser au téléphone” is also used in informal situations, meaning “talk on the phone.”

In some regions of France, particularly in the south, the verb “sonner” (meaning “to ring”) is sometimes used informally instead of “appeler” to express the act of calling someone.

Quick Tips for Using “Call” in French

Here are some additional tips to help you use the term “call” correctly in French:

• Be mindful of the verb form and its appropriate conjugations based on the subject and tense of your sentence.
• When making a phone call, use the preposition “à” before mentioning the person you are calling.
• Pay attention to cultural differences in language usage, as certain expressions or phrases may be more common in specific French-speaking regions.
• Practice using different verbs and phrases in various contexts to improve your fluency and understanding of the language.

Remember, the more you practice and immerse yourself in the French language, the more comfortable and confident you will become in expressing actions like “calling.” Happy learning!