coup de fil
/ku d(ə) fil/
The French phrase for 'phone call' is coup de fil.
The phrase coup de fil refers to a conversation between two people using a telephone. To say you are making a phone call, use the verb passer (e.g., passer un coup de fil) rather than faire. You can also use the expression donner un coup de fil to mean giving someone a quick call.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, coup de fil means a 'blow of wire' or 'hit of wire', which refers to the physical connection of a telephone line.
Which one should you use?
appel téléphonique is the standard way to say 'phone call'. For a formal conversation conducted over the phone, such as a professional meeting or an interview, use entretien téléphonique.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Coup de fil is a colloquial expression used in everyday spoken French rather than in formal writing. For professional contexts, use more formal terms like entretien téléphonique or appel téléphonique.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase, so it is preceded by the masculine article un.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku d(ə) fil/
Did you know?
- The word coup has its origins in the Ancient Greek word κόλαφος (kólaphos), which originally referred to a blow or a slap delivered with the palm of the hand.
- Because fil means 'wire', an old person might still use the term even if they are using a cordless mobile phone, because the idiom is frozen in time.
- If you use the word fil alone in a different context, like un fil de discussion, it means a 'thread' of a conversation or a forum thread, maintaining the connection metaphor.
Examples in context
- J'attends un coup de fil.I'm waiting for a phone call.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are waiting for a coup de fil.Tatoeba #2172235 by Sisyphe, translation #2542876 by CK
- J'ai passé un coup de fil.I made a phone call.This sentence is useful for expressing that you made a coup de fil.Tatoeba #2382173 by sacredceltic, translation #2380392 by CK
- Ce matin, j’attends un coup de fil.I expect a phone call this morning.This sentence is useful for expressing that you expect a coup de fil this morning.Tatoeba #2347569 by MartinShadock, translation #2266960 by _undertoad
- J'ai passé un appel téléphonique à mon collègue.I made a phone call to my colleague.
- Je vais passer un coup de fil à mon amie.I'm going to make a phone call to my friend.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking in the kitchen.
- HugoJe dois passer un coup de fil rapidement.I have to make a quick phone call.
- ManonC'est pour qui, Hugo ?Who is it for, Hugo?
- HugoC'est pour mon frère.It's for my brother.
- ManonD'accord, je t'attends ici.Okay, I'll wait for you here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry coup de fil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coup, coup de fil, de, fil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
