télécommande
/te.le.kɔ.mɑ̃d/
The English phrase tv remote is translated into French as télécommande.
In French, télécommande is the standard term used to refer to a remote control, specifically a TV remote.
What does it mean word for word?
The word télécommande is a compound formed by the prefix télé-, meaning distant or remote and commande, meaning command or control.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it takes the feminine article la or the adjective ma (my).
How do you pronounce it?
télécommande is pronounced /te.le.kɔ.mɑ̃d/. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, French speakers often shorten télécommande to simply la télé, though this usually refers to the television itself. To specifically mean the remote in a very informal way, some may use the slang term la zapette.
- In Quebec, you might hear the word manette used for a remote, whereas in France, manette almost exclusively refers to a video game controller.
- The word commande is also the term used for a 'food order' in a restaurant, making the word for 'remote control' also literally mean 'distant order'.
Examples in context
- La télécommande ne marche pas.The TV remote isn't working.This sentence is useful for stating that the télécommande is not working.Tatoeba #11701699 by lbdx, translation #10751517 by CK
- Sous le canapé, il y a une télécommande.There is a TV remote control under the couch.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a télécommande.Tatoeba #4470298 by Petrus, translation #39223 by Swift
- Rends-moi la télécommande de la télévision.Give me back the TV remote.This sentence is useful for asking someone to return the télécommande.Tatoeba #1128831 by sacredceltic, translation #1127914 by CK
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me passer la télécommande, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you pass me the TV remote, please?
- La commande à distance de la télévision est sur la table.The TV remote is on the table.
- Tu peux me passer la télécommande, s'il te plaît?Can you pass me the TV remote, please?
- J'ai perdu la zapette, peux-tu m'aider à la retrouver?I lost the TV remote, can you help me find it?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are sitting in the living room.
- LucasTu as vu la télécommande ?Have you seen the tv remote?
- ManonNon, elle n'est pas sur la table.No, it is not on the table.
- LucasAh, je l'ai trouvée dans le tiroir !Ah, I found it in the drawer!
- ManonSuper, merci beaucoup Lucas.Great, thanks a lot Lucas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry télécommande, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
