Phrasebook
Leave a French voicemail: phrases for asking for a callback
Build a French voicemail with your name, one question and a clear callback window. Practise polite phrases, time expressions and a complete message.
- A2
- 10 phrases
- 3 situations
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
Say your name, give one reason for calling and ask for a callback: Pourriez-vous me rappeler, s’il vous plaît ? Add your number and a time when you can answer. Finish with Merci beaucoup. Bonne journée !
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
After the beep
Listen for the invitation to leave a message, then introduce yourself.
Ask one clear question
Choose the question that fits your call.
Make the callback easy
Give your contact number slowly, then a useful time window.
How do you leave a voicemail in French?
Bonjour Madame Diallo, c’est Nora Morel. Je vous appelle au sujet de l’atelier de jeudi. Je voudrais savoir si nous devons apporter notre propre matériel. Pourriez-vous me rappeler au numéro indiqué dans mon courriel, s’il vous plaît ? Je suis disponible aujourd’hui entre quinze heures et dix-sept heures. Merci beaucoup. Bonne journée !
Hello Ms Diallo, this is Nora Morel. I’m calling about Thursday’s workshop. I’d like to know whether we need to bring our own equipment. Could you call me back on the number in my email, please? I’m available today between three and five pm. Thank you very much. Have a good day!
Nora has already sent her number by email. For your message, say your own number directly if the listener needs it.
| French | Meaning | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| entre quinze heures et dix-sept heures | between 3 and 5 pm | a window when you can answer |
| après dix-sept heures | after 5 pm | the earliest suitable time |
| avant midi | before midday | a latest suitable time |
| demain matin | tomorrow morning | a broad part of the next day |
Rappeler means “call back”; me rappeler means “call me back”. Me joindre means “reach me”. Keep vous throughout a message to an office. With a friend, a shorter request fits: Tu peux me rappeler ce soir ? Say the topic before the time window so the listener knows why you called.