How to Say "Remote" in French

télécommande

/te.le.kɔ.mɑ̃d/feminine

The English phrase "remote" (as a noun) is translated into French as télécommande.

In a domestic setting, la télécommande is almost always understood to refer specifically to the television remote control.

Meaning: remote control (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word télécommande is a compound of télé- (far/distant) and commande (command/control).

The noun is feminine, so it is preceded by the feminine article la.

télécommande is pronounced /te.le.kɔ.mɑ̃d/. It has 4 syllables.

If you lose the remote, you might hear the phrase où est la zapette, a playful and informal slang term for télécommande.
The word commande shares a root with the English word 'commend', as both come from the Latin 'commendare' meaning to entrust.
While télécommande refers to the device, the act of 'channel surfing' is often described as zapper, which is a loanword from the English 'zapping'.

Où est la télécommande ?
Where's the remote?
Tatoeba #5315532 by Aiji, translation #2254666 by CK
Où est la télécommande ?
Where is the remote?
Tatoeba #6575369 by GB3, translation #6575357 by Eccles17
Rends-moi la télécommande !
Give me back the remote!
Tatoeba #10568829 by lbdx, translation #10558933 by sundown
S'il vous plaît, passez-moi la télécommande
Please pass me the remote control
Passe-moi la zapette
Pass me the remote
Qui a pris la télécommande ?
Who took the remote control?
La zapette est juste là, à côté de toi.
The remote control is right there, next to you.
La télécommande de la climatisation est vraiment pratique.
The air conditioning remote control is really convenient.
Qui a pris la zapette ? Je voulais changer de chaîne.
Who took the remote? I wanted to change the channel.
20 more sentences on Tatoeba

Nathan and Emma are sitting on the sofa in the living room.

Nathan

Emma, tu peux me donner la télécommande ?
Emma, can you give me the remote?
Emma

Elle est sur la table basse.
It is on the coffee table.
Nathan

Ah, je ne vois plus la télécommande.
Ah, I can't see the remote anymore.
Emma

Elle est juste à côté de ton verre.
It is right next to your glass.

Sources

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