appeler
/a.p(ə).le/
The English phrase "to call" is translated into French as appeler.
appeler is used to mean contacting someone by telephone or to shout to get someone's attention. When you use appeler to mean calling someone on the phone, you call the person directly without a preposition between the verb and the person (appeler quelqu'un).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of appeler is appelé.
How do you pronounce it?
appeler is pronounced /a.p(ə).le/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you are calling a professional service or a business, you might hear the term passer un coup de fil, a common idiom that literally means 'to pass a blow of wire'.
- French has a distinct difference between appeler and nommer. While appeler is used for the act of calling someone by a name, nommer is used for the act of giving a name to something or appointing someone to a position.
- The verb appeler is the root of the English word 'appeal'. Both terms originate from the Latin desire to address or call upon a higher authority.
Examples in context
- Je dois appeler Tom.I've got to call Tom.This sentence shows how to use appeler to express a necessity to call someone.Tatoeba #3977312 by nimfeo, translation #2359713 by CK
- Elle a voulu l'appeler.She wanted to call him.This sentence uses appeler to show an intention to call someone.Tatoeba #12681474 by Olcyx, translation #8521197 by CH
- Tu n'as pas à m'appeler.You don't need to call me.This sentence uses appeler to express that there is no need to call someone.Tatoeba #7730434 by lbdx, translation #611769 by CK
- Je dois téléphoner à mon amiI have to call my friend
- Elle a passé un coup de téléphone à sa mèreShe called her mother
- Il faut que j'appelle mon patronI need to call my boss
- Je vais donner un coup de fil à mon frèreI will give my brother a ring
- J'ai appelé mes amis pour organiser une sortieI called my friends to organize an outing
- Il a passé un coup de fil à sa copineHe called his girlfriend
- 215 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are at home planning their day.
- HugoTu peux appeler le restaurant ?Can you call the restaurant?
- EmmaOui, je vais l'appeler tout de suite.Yes, I will call them right away.
- HugoN'oublie pas d'appeler aussi ma mère.Don't forget to call my mother too.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais l'appeler après.Okay, I will call her later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry appeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appeler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
