Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| données mobiles | feminine, plural |
| données cellulaires | feminine, plural |
The term refers to data transfer over a cellular network. When describing the usage of a data plan, French speakers often use the verb consommer (to consume) or utiliser (to use) to say they are using data.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a literal translation where données means 'data' and mobiles means 'mobile'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec (Canada), La connexion cellulaire can be used to refer to mobile connectivity and Le forfait données mobiles is an expression often used for a mobile data plan. In some French-speaking African countries, the expression L'internet mobile is used to refer to mobile data.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun données is feminine and plural, so the accompanying adjectives and articles must also be feminine and plural.
Did you know?
- The word données comes from the past participle of donner, meaning 'to give'. Literally, data are 'things given' or 'provided' for analysis.
- In France, if you run out of données mobiles, you might say you are hors forfait, which literally means you are 'outside of the package'.
- The word forfait used for data plans shares a root with the word for a 'flat fee', coming from an old legal term for a 'fixed' penalty.
Examples in context
- Le Royaume-Uni emploie davantage de données mobiles que n'importe quel autre pays.The UK uses more mobile data than any other country.This sentence is useful for discussing the usage of données mobiles in different countries.Tatoeba #2130575 by sacredceltic, translation #2128982 by Chrikaru
- Je souhaite souscrire à un forfait mobile avec un débit mobile élevé.I want to subscribe to a mobile plan with high mobile data speeds.
- J'ai besoin de vérifier ma consommation de données mobiles.I need to check my mobile data usage.
- Tu as combien de data mobile dans ton forfait ?How much mobile data do you have in your plan?
- Je dois recharger mon forfait internet sur mobile.I need to top up my mobile internet plan.
- J'ai épuisé tous mes gigas ce mois-ci.I've used up all my gigabytes this month.
- Je n'ai plus de données mobiles.I don't have any mobile data left.
- Est-ce que tes données mobiles fonctionnent ?Is your mobile data working?
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are checking their phones in a café.
- LucasTu peux m'envoyer ce fichier avec tes données mobiles ?Can you send me this file using your mobile data?
- ManonNon, je consomme trop de données mobiles en ce moment.No, I am using too much mobile data right now.
- LucasUtilise le Wi-Fi de la boutique alors.Use the shop's Wi-Fi then.
- ManonBonne idée, merci Lucas.Good idea, thanks Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mobile data” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
