French word

téléphone

Pronunciation

IPA/telefɔn/

Meaning

  • masculine nounphone

Example

Je dois charger mon téléphone.

I have to charge my phone.

Illustration for téléphone (phone)

More examples

Mon téléphone est en mode silencieux.

My phone is on silent mode.

Core concept

An unseen voice path linking people who are not together, with a handset or service making the link possible.

Common phrases

  • répondre au téléphone

    answer the phone

  • raccrocher le téléphone

    hang up the phone

  • numéro de téléphone

    phone number

Similar words

portable: A small phone designed to be carried and used anywhere.
téléphone fixe: A phone kept in one place and connected by a wired line.

Definition in French

Objet ou service qui permet la communication vocale à distance; on l'emploie aussi pour désigner un appel.

Word origin

Téléphone is a nineteenth-century French formation from Greek télé- 'far' and -phone, related to phōnē 'voice'.

Usage tips

  • For the activity of calling, common expressions include passer un coup de téléphone and être au téléphone, rather than translating every use with 'phone' as a noun.

Other meanings

  • cell phonenoun
  • landlinenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word