hashtag
/aʃ.taɡ/masculine
The English phrase "hashtag" can be translated into French as hashtag, mot-clic or mot-dièse.
Meaning: a tag with a hash sign (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hashtag | /aʃ.taɡ/ | masculine |
| mot-clic | /mo.klik/ | masculine |
| mot-dièse | /mo.djɛz/ | masculine |
All forms refer to a tag containing a hash sign.
What does it mean word for word?
The term mot-dièse is a compound of mot (word) and dièse (the musical sharp sign or the hash symbol).
Which one should you use?
mot-clic is a more formal or standardized way to refer to a hashtag, often used in official linguistic contexts, meaning keyword/click-word. mot-dièse is a formal translation of 'hashtag'. hashtag is the English loanword used in informal digital contexts and social media in France.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mot-clic and mot-dièse are formal options. In informal digital settings and social media conversations, the English loanword hashtag is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʃ.taɡ/
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the term mot-clic is the officially sanctioned way to say 'hashtag', a creation of the Office québécois de la langue française to protect the language from English influence.
- The word dièse in mot-dièse is actually the term for a musical sharp symbol (♯) rather than the grid-like hash symbol (#).
- If you use the term mot-dièse in a casual text message in France, you might sound more like a linguistics professor than a social media user.
Examples in context
- Quel est le hashtag de cette photo ?What is the hashtag for this photo?
- Tu as oublié le hashtag sur ton message.You forgot the hashtag on your message.
- Je ne trouve pas le bon hashtag.I can't find the right hashtag.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a social media post on a phone.
- LucasRegarde cette publication, elle est géniale !Look at this post, it is great!
- ManonOui, mais quel est le hashtag utilisé ?Yes, but what is the hashtag used?
- LucasC'est un hashtag très populaire en ce moment.It is a very popular hashtag right now.
- ManonAh, je le vois enfin !Ah, I finally see it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hashtag” translations and entries hashtag, mot-clic, mot-dièse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hashtag, mot-clic, mot-dièse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
