ordinateur portable
/ɔʁ.di.na.tœʁ pɔʁ.tabl/masculine
The English phrase "laptop" is translated into French as ordinateur portable. Wiktionary also lists portable.
Meaning: computing: a laptop computer (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ordinateur portable | /ɔʁ.di.na.tœʁ pɔʁ.tabl/ | masculine |
| portable | /pɔʁ.tabl/ | masculine |
The term is used to refer to a laptop computer.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ordinateur portable literally translates to "portable computer".
Which one should you use?
While ordinateur portable is the standard term, the shortened form portable is frequently used in everyday spoken French to refer to a mobile phone rather than a laptop.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective portable follows the noun ordinateur and remains masculine to agree with it.
Did you know?
- The word ordinateur was coined by a professor of philology rather than a computer scientist.
- While English uses 'laptop' to describe the machine's physical location, French uses 'portable' to emphasize its ability to be carried.
Examples in context
- J'ai un ordinateur portable.I have a laptop.This sentence is useful for stating that you possess an ordinateur portable.Tatoeba #6402421 by Aiji, translation #4305641 by CK
- Son portable a déjà cinq ans.His laptop is already five years old.This sentence is useful for describing the age of a portable.Tatoeba #3597372 by Littleben, translation #1311173 by CN
- Tom a un ordinateur portable.Tom has a laptop.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom has an ordinateur portable.Tatoeba #6878312 by GB3, translation #6878301 by Hybrid
- J'ai besoin d'un ordinateur portable pour travailler efficacement.I need a laptop for efficient work.
- Merci de me fournir un PC portable adapté à mes besoins.Thank you for providing me with a laptop that suits my needs.
- Mon portable a rendu mes études beaucoup plus faciles à gérer.My laptop has made my studies much easier to manage.
- J'envisage d'acheter un nouvel ordi portable très prochainement.I'm considering buying a new laptop very soon.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are at a cafe working.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as ton ordinateur portable ?Do you have your laptop?
- ChloéOui, il est dans mon sac.Yes, it is in my bag.
- NathanPeux-tu m'aider avec cet ordinateur portable ?Can you help me with this laptop?
- ChloéBien sûr, Nathan.Of course, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “laptop” translations and entries ordinateur portable, portable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ordinateur, portable, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
