chargeur de téléphone
The English phrase "phone charger" is translated into French as chargeur de téléphone.
The phrase refers to a device used to provide electrical power to a mobile phone battery. In many contexts, if the topic of phones is already established, you can simply say un chargeur instead of the full chargeur de téléphone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chargeur (charger) and de téléphone (of phone).
Which one should you use?
While chargeur de téléphone is the standard phrase, in casual conversation, speakers often use chargeur de portable to mean "mobile charger," using portable instead of téléphone to refer to a mobile phone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun chargeur is masculine, so you use the masculine article le or un.
Did you know?
- In French, the word chargeur also refers to a weapon's magazine or a loader. Context is essential to distinguish between powering a phone and loading a firearm.
- The word chargeur shares a distant root with the English word 'car'. It evolved from the Latin 'carricare', which meant to load a wagon.
- If you are looking for a charger in a French shop, asking for a chargeur de portable might actually lead you to the electronics section for laptops, as portable is often used for both mobile phones and laptop computers.
Examples in context
- J’ai perdu mon chargeur de téléphone.I've lost my phone charger.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have lost your chargeur de téléphone.Tatoeba #10706641 by sacredceltic, translation #10706611 by sundown
- Mon chargeur de téléphone ne fonctionne pas.My phone charger isn't working.This sentence is useful for stating that your chargeur de téléphone is not working.Tatoeba #13325641 by genes1s, translation #10724855 by sundown
- Quelqu'un a-t-il un chargeur de téléphone portable ?Does anyone have a mobile phone charger?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a chargeur de téléphone.Tatoeba #9129623 by lbdx, translation #7910960 by CM
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are at a café and Léa's battery is low.
- LéaEst-ce que tu as un chargeur de téléphone ?Do you have a phone charger?
- NathanOui, j'ai mon chargeur de téléphone dans mon sac.Yes, I have my phone charger in my bag.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, tu me sauves la vie !Thank you so much, you are saving my life!
- NathanDe rien, tiens, le voilà.You're welcome, here it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chargeur, de, téléphone, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
