What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je n'ai plus de batterie literally translates to "I no longer have battery".
Which one should you use?
Use je n'ai plus de batterie specifically to indicate a lack of power. In contrast, mon téléphone est éteint implies the phone is simply in an off state or was manually powered down. If the phone has actually broken down or died permanently, you might use the idiomatic expression mon téléphone a rendu l'âme, which means "my phone gave up the ghost".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you may use the word cellulaire instead of portable when referring to a mobile phone.
How does it change in a sentence?
While je n'ai plus de batterie is the most common way to express the idea, you can also use the phrase mon téléphone est mort to literally say "my phone is dead".
Did you know?
- The word batterie shares an unexpected history with the English word 'battery', as both derive from the Old French word batre, meaning 'to hit' or 'to strike'.
- To say a phone has died permanently, French uses the phrase a rendu l'âme, which translates to 'gave up the ghost'.
- While a French person in Europe would call their device un portable, someone in Quebec will almost certainly call it un cellulaire.
Examples in context
- Mon portable s'est éteint pendant mon entretien. Je suis désolé de ne pas avoir pu répondre à votre appel.My mobile phone turned off during my interview. I'm sorry I couldn't answer your call.
- Mon téléphone est mort et je suis en déplacement professionnel. Comment puis-je contacter mon client?My phone is dead, and I'm on a business trip. How can I contact my client?
- Je n'ai plus de batterie, je dois charger mon téléphone.My phone died, I need to charge it.
- Désolée, je n'ai plus de batterie sur mon portable.Sorry, my mobile phone has no battery left.
- Je n'ai plus de batterie, on peut s'appeler plus tard ?My phone died, can we call each other later?
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are meeting in the city.
- EmmaOù es-tu ? Je n'ai plus de batterie !Where are you? My phone died!
- GabrielJe suis juste devant le cinéma, Emma.I am right in front of the cinema, Emma.
- EmmaAh, je te vois enfin, Gabriel !Ah, I finally see you, Gabriel!
- GabrielTu peux utiliser mon chargeur si tu veux.You can use my charger if you want.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries batterie, de, je, plus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
