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Phrasebook

Start a phone call in French: greetings, transfers and repair phrases

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Find the right French phone phrase for introducing yourself, asking for a department, explaining your purpose or handling a poor connection.

In short

For a service call, start with Bonjour, your name and one purpose: Bonjour, je m’appelle Nora Bernard. Je vous appelle au sujet de ma réservation. If you need a particular person, ask Est-ce que je pourrais parler à Madame Diallo ?

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

1

Check that you have reached the right place

On the lineService des inscriptions, bonjour.Registration department, hello.
YouBonjour, je suis bien au service des inscriptions ?Hello, have I reached the registration department?
YouJe m’appelle Nora Bernard. Je vous appelle pour modifier mon inscription.My name is Nora Bernard. I’m calling to change my registration.
2

Ask for someone and handle a transfer

YouEst-ce que je pourrais parler à Madame Diallo, s’il vous plaît ?Could I speak to Ms Diallo, please?
On the lineNe quittez pas, je vous la passe.Hold the line; I’ll put you through to her.
On the lineMadame Diallo à l’appareil.Ms Diallo speaking.
YouBonjour, c’est Nora Bernard. Je vous appelle au sujet de mon inscription au cours du soir.Hello, it’s Nora Bernard. I’m calling about my registration for the evening course.
3

When you cannot hear or understand

Choose the phrase that describes the problem: sound, speed or a word.

YouPardon, je vous entends mal.Sorry, I can’t hear you well.
YouPourriez-vous répéter plus lentement ?Could you repeat that more slowly?
YouQue veut dire « justificatif » ?What does “supporting document” mean?
On the lineC’est un document qui permet de vérifier une information.It’s a document used to check a piece of information.
4

The person is unavailable

On the lineElle est en réunion. Vous souhaitez laisser un message ?She’s in a meeting. Would you like to leave a message?
YouOui, pourriez-vous lui dire que Nora Bernard a appelé ?Yes, could you tell her that Nora Bernard called?
YouÀ quelle heure puis-je rappeler ?What time can I call back?
On the lineVous pouvez rappeler après quatorze heures.You can call back after two.
YouTrès bien, je rappellerai cet après-midi. Merci, au revoir.Very good, I’ll call back this afternoon. Thank you, goodbye.
5

A personal call or the wrong number

YouAllô, c’est Nora, ta voisine. Tu as deux minutes ?Hello, it’s Nora, your neighbour. Have you got two minutes?
YouPardon, je crois que je me suis trompée de numéro. Au revoir.Sorry, I think I’ve dialled the wrong number. Goodbye.A woman writes trompée; a man writes trompé.

pour + infinitifto do something

Focus: the action you want

Je vous appelle pour confirmer ma réservation.
I’m calling to confirm my booking.

au sujet de + nomabout something

Focus: the topic of your call

Je vous appelle au sujet de ma réservation.
I’m calling about my booking.

After a transfer, give your name and purpose again. Je vous la passe announces the transfer; à l’appareil identifies the person now speaking. In a message, lui dire means “tell her” or “tell him”: the same lui works for either person.

Your phone-call kit

Question 1No account needed
You hear Ne quittez pas. What should you do?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Wait on the line.. The person asks you to stay connected, often during a transfer.

Question 2No account needed
The sound is clear, but one word is unfamiliar. Choose the most precise reply.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Que veut dire ce mot ?. Asking what the word means addresses vocabulary; the other replies describe different problems.

Question 3No account needed
Which phrase introduces the topic rather than the action?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je vous appelle au sujet de ma commande.. Au sujet de introduces a noun phrase; pour introduces the intended action here.

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