mobile
/mɔ.bil/
The French word mobile means mobile in English.
The term mobile is an adjective used to describe things pertaining to or by the agency of mobile phones.
Meaning: pertaining to or by agency of mobile phones (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the informal term Natel is primarily used to refer to a mobile phone. In parts of Canada, particularly in Quebec, people use the word cellulaire.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using mobile as a noun, the plural is formed by adding an 's' to create mobiles.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ.bil/
Did you know?
- The word mobile can describe a person's 'motive' in a crime, such as an 'un mobile connu' meaning an 'unknown motive'.
- The French word mobile is a linguistic sibling to meuble, the word for 'furniture', because both describe things that can be moved.
- The Swiss term Natel began as a trademark owned by the Swiss Federal Post before becoming the common word for a mobile phone.
Examples in context
- Où est mon mobile ?Where's my mobile?This sentence is useful for asking the location of your mobile.Tatoeba #3627757 by fleur74, translation #6141993 by Barra
- Je n’ai pas de mobile.I haven't got a mobile.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have a mobile.Tatoeba #10705488 by AutoBot, translation #10697403 by sundown
- As-tu un téléphone mobile ?Have you got a mobile phone?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a mobile phone.Tatoeba #541802 by sacredceltic, translation #765911 by Dunbab
- Je vais acheter un nouveau téléphone portable demain.I am going to buy a new mobile phone tomorrow.
- Tu peux me prêter ton portable s'il te plaît ?Can you lend me your mobile phone, please?
- J'ai perdu mon smartphone dans le train.I lost my smartphone on the train.
- Est-ce que vous avez un chargeur pour mon téléphone portable ?Do you have a charger for my mobile phone?
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing a technological issue.
- GabrielLe réseau mobile est très faible ici.The mobile network is very weak here.
- LéaC'est vrai, je ne capte rien.It's true, I'm not getting any signal.
- GabrielCherche une zone avec un meilleur signal mobile.Look for a zone with a better mobile signal.
- LéaD'accord, je vais essayer plus loin.Okay, I will try further away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mobile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mobile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
