texte
/tɛkst/
To text in French is texte.
In French, texte refers to written content, such as a written passage, a literary work or an official or legal document. If you want to refer to the act of sending a short written message via a mobile phone, you should use phrases like envoyer un texto or envoyer un SMS. You may also use the informal term message to refer to a text.
Meaning: to send a text message to (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between different types of written content: use un texte when referring to a written passage or a literary work, but use un texto when you are specifically talking about a mobile phone message.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛkst/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly try to use the noun texte as a verb to mean 'to text'. In French, if you want to use the informal verb meaning 'to send a text', you should use texter.
Did you know?
- The noun texte comes from the Latin word texō, which means 'to weave'. Originally, a 'text' was thought of as a fabric woven together by words.
- While texter is common in Quebec, it is less frequent in France, where people prefer the phrase envoyer un SMS. Using texter in Paris might sound distinctly Canadian to a local.
- In very informal French, people may simply say je t'écris ('I am writing to you') to mean they are texting, even if no pen or paper is involved.
Examples in context
- Ziri lut le texte.Ziri read the text.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use texte in the context of reading.Tatoeba #11837464 by Amastan, translation #10802910 by Amastan
- Lis le texte amazigh.Read the Berber text.This sentence shows how to refer to a specific Berber texte.Tatoeba #11837402 by Amastan, translation #8297256 by Amastan
- L'élève lut un texte.The student read a text.This sentence demonstrates the use of texte when referring to something a student reads.Tatoeba #12397024 by Rovo, translation #8120652 by Talwit
- J'ai étudié un texte intéressantI studied an interesting text
- J'ai lu un écrit fascinantI read a fascinating text
- Le document présente un texte importantThe document presents an important text
- J'ai reçu un message amusantI received a funny text
- J'ai envoyé un texto à mon amiI sent a text to my friend
- As-tu vu le texte écrit sur le tableau blanc ?Did you see the written text on the whiteboard?
- J'ai reçu un message important de mon professeur.I received an important text from my teacher.
- J'aime beaucoup lire des textes philosophiques.I really enjoy reading philosophical texts.
- J'ai envoyé un texto à ma sœur pour lui souhaiter bonne nuit.I sent a text to my sister to wish her goodnight.
- Le document propose un texte de loi important.The document presents an important legal text.
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are discussing how to contact a friend.
- GabrielJe vais le texte pour savoir s'il vient.I'm going to text him to see if he's coming.
- LéaC'est une bonne idée, Gabriel.That's a good idea, Gabriel.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu peux le texte aussi ?Can you text him too?
- LéaOui, je le texte tout de suite, Léa.Yes, I'll text him right away, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry texte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries texte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
