faux numéro
masculine
The English phrase "wrong number" can be translated into French as faux numéro.
faux numéro is used as a noun to describe a telephone call where the person dialed the incorrect number.
Meaning: A call with a mistake in the number dialled (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, faux numéro is preceded by the indefinite article un to say "a wrong number" (un faux numéro).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using mauvais numéro, which literally means "bad number." While a listener might understand you, faux numéro is the standard idiomatic expression for a wrong number in a telephone context.
Did you know?
- In French, the word faux can be a homonym for a 'scythe' or 'sickle'. This means the word used to describe a 'wrong number' is spelled exactly like the word for a traditional farming tool.
- While faux numéro describes a telephone error, the word faux is also used in the term faux pas, which literally means 'false step'. Both phrases use the same word for 'false' to describe a social or technical mistake.
- The word numéro was borrowed directly from the Italian word numero, highlighting the close historical linguistic ties between the two languages.
Examples in context
- Désolé, vous avez fait un faux numéro.Sorry, you have the wrong number.This sentence uses faux numéro to apologize for the mistake of calling the wrong number.Tatoeba #11427100 by lbdx, translation #881163 by Martha
- Quelle est la différence entre le nouveau Ministre-Président et un combiné téléphonique ? Le combiné, on peut le raccrocher si on a composé un faux numéro.What's the difference between the new minister-president and a telephone? You can hang up the telephone if you dial a wrong number.This sentence uses faux numéro within a joke about dialing the wrong number.Tatoeba #816464 by sacredceltic, translation #11618427 by tieguy
- Je m'excuse, je pense m'être trompé(e) de numéro.I apologize, I think I dialed the wrong number.
- Je suis désolé(e), je me suis trompé(e) de destinataire.I'm sorry, I contacted the wrong recipient.
- Je vous présente mes excuses, je crois que je me suis trompé(e) de numéro.Please accept my apologies, I think I called the wrong number.
- Désolé(e), je me suis planté(e) de numéro.Sorry, I got the number wrong.
- Je recherchais quelqu'un d'autre, désolé(e) du dérangement.I was looking for someone else, sorry for the inconvenience.
- Il semble que je vous aie contacté par erreur, merci de votre compréhension.It seems I contacted you by mistake, thank you for your understanding.
- Je crois que c'est un faux numéro.I think it is a wrong number.
Example conversation
Hugo receives a phone call from a stranger.
- ChloéAllô ? Est-ce que Marc est là ?Hello? Is Marc there?
- HugoNon, vous avez composé un faux numéro.No, you have dialed a wrong number.
- ChloéOh, je suis vraiment désolée.Oh, I am truly sorry.
- HugoCe n'est pas grave, bonne journée.It is no problem, have a nice day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wrong number” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faux, numéro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
