French · Real conversations

Calls and messages: useful French phrases

Handle a short call and confirm a message.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

Phone
le téléphone
Phone
to call (phone)
appeler
to call (phone)
to hear
entendre
to hear
to listen
écouter
to listen

Make the conversation more specific

Useful French expressions for calls and messages
What you want to say	French
Phone	le téléphone Phone
to call (phone)	appeler to call (phone)
to hear	entendre to hear
to listen	écouter to listen
Can you hear me?	Tu m'entends ? Show English translation Can you hear me?
The connection is breaking up.	La connexion coupe. Show English translation The connection is breaking up.
Could you leave a message?	Tu pourrais laisser un message ? Show English translation Could you leave a message?
I'll call you back.	Je te rappelle. Show English translation I'll call you back.
Did you get my message?	Tu as reçu mon message ? Show English translation Did you get my message?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Allô, tu es là ?
Hello, are you there?
You
Tu m'entends ?
Can you hear me?
Partner
Je t'entends, mais le son n'est pas clair.
I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear.
You
La connexion coupe.
The connection is breaking up.

Calls and messages in other languages

A note on speaking French

Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.

Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.