Speaking on the phone, is a routine for all of us, but having a phone conversation in French is not for some of us. However, it can be easy if you know the essential words and expressions generally used in a phone call.
In this article, I will share with you common words, verbs and expressions used to talk on the phone, from answering, introducing yourself to ending a phone call. Keep on reading till the end, to take the practice quiz.
1. How to answer the phone in French?
The first step of a phone call is greetings. We always say Allo, the magic word to start the conversation, followed with usual greetings like bonjour, Bonsoir or Salut. And then, you ask for your interlocutor. As in any language, you may get through him or you may be asked to call back or leave a message. We won't follow these steps as they are the same in any language, however, we'll try to focus on the key vocabulary you need for a successful conversation on the phone in French.
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Let's start with some basics terms like how to say a phone call in standard French and slang, a phone number, phone book, ...
2. Basic phone words in French
When talking about the phone, there are some basic words to know. Below is a list of these terms with their English translation.
Un appel (téléphonique): a phone call
un coup de fil (slang): a phone call
un téléphone fixe: a land line
un téléphone portable/mobile: a cell phone / smartphone
une ligne (téléphonique): a line
un bip: a beep
un réseau: a network
un combiné téléphonique: a telephone handset
un numéro de téléphone: a phone number
un annuaire: a phone book
3. How to introduce yourself or identify your interlocutor?
To introduce yourself during a phone call in French, you can say for instance:
C'est +name => C'est Chantal;
C'est+ name + à l'appareil => C'est Chantal à l'appareil
C'est+ name + au bout du fil => C'est Chantal au bout du fil
When it is a professional phone call, you could start by telling your name followed by the name of the company you work for. E.g. (Chantal Briba de la societe Learn French With Chanty)
When you don't know who is calling, and you would like to know who the person's identity, you can use following questions to identify your interlocutor.
C'est qui s'il vous plaît? => Who is this?
Qui est-ce? => Who is this?
Vous êtes? => You are ?
C'est de la part de qui? => Who is it from?
Qui dois-je annoncer? => Who should I announce?
Votre nom sil vous plaît => Your name, please.
4. How to ask for your interlocutor?
Here are some phrases you could use to request speaking to your contact person.
Bonjour, je voudrais parler à + name or profession of the person (e.g. Je voudrais parler a Alice sil vous plait / Je voudrais parler au DRH sil vous plait)
Puis-je parler à +name or title?
Monsieur Dupond / Le DRH s'il vous plait
Pourriez-vous me passer Mme Durand s'il vous plaît ?
Sometimes, before you start asking, you may want to make sure you are speaking to the right person. Here are few sentences you might want to use.
Allo, c'est + name. Allo, c'est Jeanne?
Je suis bien chez les Martin?
C'est bien la societe...?
Je suis bien au + numero?
5. Ways to say hold on in French
There are different ways of saying hold on in the French language. Here are some of the possible expressions.
un moment s'il vous plaît:: a moment please
veuillez patienter s'il vous plaît: please hold on