Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| smartphone | /smaʁt.fɔn/ | masculine |
| ordiphone | /ɔʁ.di.fɔn/ | masculine |
| supertéléphone | /sy.pɛʁ.te.le.fɔn/ | masculine |
| téléphone intelligent | /te.le.fɔ.n‿ɛ̃.tɛ.li.ʒɑ̃/ /te.le.fɔ.n‿ɛ̃.te.li.ʒɑ̃/ |
masculine |
The term refers to an electronic handheld device.
Which one should you use?
The English loanword 'smartphone' is the most widely used term in everyday spoken French. In contrast, 'téléphone intelligent' is the formal, grammatically correct French translation. Other terms like ordiphone or supertéléphone also exist in the language.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal conversations, many French people use the English term smartphone. You can also use the casual term portable. For formal situations, téléphone intelligent is a formal way to say smartphone in French.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term cellulaire is widely understood in France and other French-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided, including smartphone, ordiphone, supertéléphone and téléphone intelligent, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/smaʁt.fɔn/
Did you know?
- French linguistic authorities often promote téléphone intelligent to avoid the 'anglicisation' of the language, despite the widespread use of smartphone.
- The term ordiphone is a portmanteau that blends ordinateur, meaning 'computer', and téléphone.
- If you are in Quebec, you are much more likely to hear cellulaire used for a mobile device than you would in Paris.
Examples in context
- Tom n'a pas de smartphone.Tom doesn't have a smartphone.This sentence shows the negation of the word smartphone.Tatoeba #7910487 by felix63, translation #6113688 by CK
- Je veux un nouveau smartphone !I want a new smartphone!This sentence expresses a desire for a new smartphone.Tatoeba #4464611 by sicerabibax, translation #2770626 by Hybrid
- Il a cassé son nouveau smartphone.He broke his new smartphone.This sentence describes an action involving a new smartphone.Tatoeba #12310847 by lbdx, translation #7384637 by CH
- Bonjour, est-ce que vous pouvez me montrer votre téléphone portable ?Hello, can you show me your smartphone?
- Je souhaite acheter un téléphone intelligent dernier cri.I would like to buy a cutting-edge smartphone.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are looking at a shop window.
- HugoRegarde ce smartphone, il est magnifique !Look at this smartphone, it is magnificent!
- LéaC'est vrai, mais il est trop cher.That's true, but it is too expensive.
- HugoJe pense que ce smartphone est très rapide.I think this smartphone is very fast.
- LéaOn peut aller le tester ensemble ?Can we go test it together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smartphone” translations and entries smartphone, ordiphone, supertéléphone, téléphone intelligent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intelligent, ordiphone, smartphone, supertéléphone, téléphone, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
