ordinateur
/ɔʁ.di.na.tœʁ/masculine
The English word 'computer' is translated into French as ordinateur.
The term refers to a programmable electronic device. You can use phrases like Allumer/Éteindre son ordinateur to say to turn on/off your computer, or Envoyer/recevoir un e-mail to say to send/receive an email.
Meaning: programmable electronic device (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ordinateur is the standard term, you may encounter more specific forms. Use ordinateur portable to specify a laptop computer. For a personal computer or a desktop, the formal term is Micro-ordinateur and Poste de travail is a formal term for a computer workstation.
How does it change in a sentence?
ordinateur is a masculine noun. Because of this, you must use the masculine indefinite article un when referring to a single computer, as in un ordinateur.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables: /ɔʁ.di.na.tœʁ/.
Did you know?
- The word ordinateur was actually a creative solution to a marketing problem. When IBM France felt the term calculateur was too limited to describe the new machines' potential, a professor of philology invented a new word to describe a device that 'orders' rather than just 'calculates'.
- While English uses 'computer' for both the machine and a person who calculates, ordinateur refers strictly to the machine.
Examples in context
- Ont-ils un ordinateur ?Do they have a computer?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses an ordinateur.Tatoeba #1107298 by sacredceltic, translation #1105703 by CM
- Mon ordinateur est cher.My computer is expensive.This sentence is useful for describing the price of an ordinateur.Tatoeba #1702178 by Micsmithel, translation #1098625 by cntrational
- Il n'a pas d'ordinateur.He doesn't have a computer.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not have an ordinateur.Tatoeba #1776183 by sacredceltic, translation #1773402 by Spamster
- J'utilise l'ordinateur pour travailler.I use the computer to work.
- Le poste de travail nécessite une mise à jour régulière.The computer workstation requires regular updates.
- Mon ordi est en train de télécharger un nouveau logiciel.My computer is currently downloading new software.
- J'ai besoin de mettre à jour mon PC.I need to update my PC.
- J'ai besoin de ma machine pour terminer ce travail.I need my computer to finish this work.
- J'allume mon ordinateur le matin pour commencer ma journée de travail.I turn on my computer in the morning to start my workday.
- 522 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are in a library.
- HugoOù est mon ordinateur ?Where is my computer?
- ManonIl est sur la table.It is on the table.
- HugoMerci, Manon.Thank you, Manon.
- ManonDe rien, Hugo.You're welcome, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “computer” translations and entries ordinateur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ordinateur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
