téléphone
/te.le.fɔn/masculine
The English word "telephone" is téléphone in French.
téléphone refers to the telecommunication device used to transmit sounds or data over a distance. If you are specifically referring to a cell phone or a mobile phone, you should use téléphone portable.
Meaning: telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance (noun)
Which one should you use?
To express the act of calling someone, the standard verb is téléphoner, but it is more common in everyday speech to use the verb appeler.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb téléphoner to specify the person you are calling, you must use the preposition à, forming the phrase téléphoner à quelqu'un.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables: /te.le.fɔn/.
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the term cellulaire is used for a mobile phone instead of portable, reflecting the influence of North American English.
- The word téléphone comes from the Ancient Greek words têle meaning 'afar' and phōnḗ meaning 'voice' or 'sound'.
- If you want to say you are 'on the phone' in French, you do not say sur le téléphone, but rather au téléphone.
Examples in context
- Le téléphone a sonné.The telephone rang.This sentence is useful for describing the action of a telephone ringing using téléphone.Tatoeba #5293645 by pititnatole, translation #1960266 by CK
- Il parle au téléphone.He's talking on the telephone.This sentence is useful for describing someone talking on the téléphone.Tatoeba #133003 by Micsmithel, translation #301814 by CK
- Son téléphone a sonné.His telephone rang.Tatoeba #11682168 by Amastan, translation #8332685 by Amastan
- J'ai besoin de téléphoner à mon ami.I need to call my friend.
- 232 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is looking for his device in the living room.
- LucasOù est mon téléphone ?Where is my telephone?
- ChloéIl est sur la table.It is on the table.
- LucasMerci, Chloé.Thanks, Chloé.
- ChloéDe rien, Lucas.You're welcome, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “telephone” translations and entries téléphone, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries téléphone, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
