Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| faute de frappe | /fot də fʁap/ | feminine |
| coquille | /kɔ.kij/ | feminine |
In French, you can use different words to describe a typographical error depending on the context. faute de frappe is the common term used for general typing errors, while coquille is a specific term used to describe a small error in a printed or typed text. To say you have made a typo, you can use the verbal phrases faire une coquille or faire une faute de frappe.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase faute de frappe literally translates to 'error of striking/typing'.
Which one should you use?
The term faute de frappe is the everyday way to describe a typing error in general contexts. In contrast, coquille is a more professional or technical term, frequently used in journalism and the publishing industry. While coquille literally means 'shell', in a writing context it refers specifically to a small error in text.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both coquille and faute de frappe are feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word faute is a doublet of faillite, which means 'bankruptcy'.
- In the publishing world, coquille is used specifically for errors that slip through to the final printed version.
Examples in context
- C'est une faute de frappe.That's a typo.This sentence is useful for identifying a faute de frappe.Tatoeba #6030694 by Fabimoto, translation #5937707 by mailohilohi
- Merci d'avoir repéré la coquille.Thanks for spotting the typo.This sentence is useful for thanking someone for spotting a coquille.Tatoeba #10672786 by lbdx, translation #4704970 by Ricardo14
- C'est une faute de frappe. Désolé.It's a typo. Sorry.This sentence is useful for apologizing for a faute de frappe.Tatoeba #1389882 by sacredceltic, translation #328579 by fcbond
- Il y a une faute de frappe dans ce documentThere is a typo in this document
- J'ai trouvé une erreur de frappe dans le rapportI found a typo in the report
- Ce journal contient quelques coquillesThis newspaper has some typos
- J'ai repéré une coquille dans ce texteI spotted a typo in this text
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is pointing out a mistake in Gabriel's email.
- LéaGabriel, il y a une faute de frappe ici.Gabriel, there is a typo here.
- GabrielAh mince, je vais corriger ça tout de suite.Oh shoot, I'll fix that right away.
- LéaC'est juste une petite faute de frappe, pas grave.It's just a small typo, no big deal.
- GabrielMerci de m'avoir prévenu, Léa.Thanks for letting me know, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “typo” translations and entries faute de frappe, coquille, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coquille, de, faute, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
