télécharger
/te.le.ʃaʁ.ʒe/
To download in French is télécharger.
The verb télécharger is used to describe the process of transferring data from a remote computer to a local one.
Meaning: to transfer data from a remote computer to a local one (verb)
Which one should you use?
While télécharger is commonly used for both downloading and uploading in many contexts, the specific term for uploading is téléverser.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form téléchargement is used to refer to the act or process of downloading.
How do you pronounce it?
/te.le.ʃaʁ.ʒe/. It has 4 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use charger to mean download, but charger usually means to load or to charge a battery or a fee.
Did you know?
- French authorities once pushed for the use of téléverser to stop the 'Anglicization' of the language, as upload had no direct equivalent.
- The word télécharger is a literal hybrid, combining the Greek 'tele', meaning 'far off', with the French 'charger', meaning 'to load'.
- In Quebec, you are more likely to hear téléverser for 'upload', while in France, people often use télécharger for both directions of data transfer.
Examples in context
- J'aime télécharger des livres.I like to download books.This sentence shows how to express a preference for downloading books with télécharger.Tatoeba #13341709 by genes1s, translation #1762332 by Amastan
- Peux-tu me télécharger un fichier ?Could you download a file for me?This sentence is useful for asking someone to download a file using télécharger.Tatoeba #1099517 by sacredceltic, translation #1096521 by CK
- Il ne faut surtout pas télécharger cette application.You absolutely shouldn't download this app.This sentence provides an example of a warning against downloading an application using télécharger.Tatoeba #11949610 by RCendre, translation #11953834 by zogwarg
- Vous pouvez télécharger le fichier à partir du site web officiel.You can download the file from the official website.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are talking about a movie file.
- NathanOù est le film que je dois télécharger ?Where is the movie that I need to download?
- LéaJe t'ai envoyé le lien par e-mail, Nathan.I sent you the link by email, Nathan.
- NathanMerci, je vais le télécharger tout de suite.Thanks, I'm going to download it right away.
- LéaD'accord, préviens-moi quand c'est fini.Okay, let me know when it's finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “download” translations and entries télécharger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries télécharger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
