Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| réseaux sociaux | masculine, plural | |
| réseau social | /ʁe.zo sɔ.sjal/ | masculine |
réseaux sociaux refers to the applications or websites that allow users to communicate. When stating that something is being used or posted 'on' social media, always use the preposition sur.
What does it mean word for word?
The term réseaux sociaux literally translates to 'social networks'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, both médias sociaux and réseaux sociaux are commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is réseau social (social network), while the plural is réseaux sociaux (social networks). Because réseaux is a masculine plural noun, the adjective 'social' must also change to its masculine plural form, sociaux, to agree with it. Note that both réseaux and médias are masculine plural nouns.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When saying you are 'on' social media, do not use dans. Use the preposition sur instead.
Did you know?
- The word réseaux shares its roots with a fishing net. The term describes the digital connections we make as a complex web of interconnected lines, just like a net cast into the water.
- In French, the word social can also refer to things relating to public welfare or government assistance. Depending on the context, someone talking about 'le social' might be discussing social services rather than social media.
- Because the word réseau refers to any grid or network, the same word is used for the electrical grid, the sewage system and the railway network.
Examples in context
- Les réseaux sociaux sont le lieu où la nuance va mourir.Social media is where nuance goes to die.This sentence illustrates a critical view of how nuance is lost on réseaux sociaux.Tatoeba #14050308 by Rovo, translation #14050212 by rul
- Yanni partage le moindre aspect de sa vie sur les réseaux sociaux.Yanni shares every aspect of his life on social media.This sentence shows how a person might share aspects of their life sur les réseaux sociaux.Tatoeba #11941770 by Amastan, translation #9689995 by Amastan
- Tom a publié une photo obscène de lui-même sur les réseaux sociaux.Tom posted a lewd photo of himself on social media.This sentence provides an example of posting a photo sur les réseaux sociaux.Tatoeba #9420494 by Micsmithel, translation #3350278 by patgfisher
- Les médias sociaux sont omniprésents dans notre société moderneSocial media is ubiquitous in our modern society
- Elle passe beaucoup de temps sur les réseaux sociauxShe spends a lot of time on social networking sites
- Facebook et Twitter sont des plateformes de réseaux sociaux populairesFacebook and Twitter are popular social media platforms
- Je passe trop de temps sur les réseauxI spend too much time on social media
- T'as vu sa dernière photo sur les rézos?Did you see his/her latest picture on social media?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing their digital habits.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu utilises souvent les réseaux sociaux ?Do you use social media often?
- EmmaNon, je passe trop de temps sur les réseaux sociaux.No, I spend too much time on social media.
- GabrielMoi aussi, c'est parfois fatigant.Me too, it's tiring sometimes.
- EmmaOn devrait faire une pause ce week-end.We should take a break this weekend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “social media” translations and entries réseaux sociaux, réseau social, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries réseau, social, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
