French - Phone Messages

Je peux parler à ___ ?

Can I speak to ___?

Meaning: Can I speak to ___?

When to use: Use this to ask the person answering the phone to put someone on the line. Add “s'il vous plaît” for more politeness.

C'est ___ à l'appareil.

This is ___.

Meaning: This is ___.

When to use: Use this to identify yourself when someone answers the phone (e.g., “C'est David à l'appareil.”).

C'est de la part de qui, s'il vous plaît ?

Who's calling, please?

Meaning: Who's calling, please?

When to use: Say this politely when you want to know the caller's name at the start of a call.

___ est là ?

Is ___ there?

Meaning: Is ___ there?

When to use: Use this simple spoken phrase to ask if someone is available on the line.

Tip: Avoid leaving out context: on the phone, add a name so it's clear who you mean.

___ n'est pas disponible pour le moment.

___ is not available right now.

Meaning: ___ is not available right now.

When to use: Use this to tell the caller that the person they want cannot answer at the moment.

Je peux prendre un message ?

Can I take a message?

Meaning: Can I take a message?

When to use: Offer to write down a message when the person called is not available.

Vous pouvez demander à ___ de me rappeler ?

Could you ask ___ to call me back?

Meaning: Could you ask ___ to call me back?

When to use: Use this polite request when speaking to someone you don't know well; it asks them to ask another person to call back.

Mon numéro, c'est le ___.

My number is ___.

Meaning: My number is ___.

When to use: Give your phone number clearly when leaving a message.

Désolé, je me suis trompé de numéro.

Sorry, I have the wrong number.

Meaning: Sorry, I have the wrong number.

When to use: Say this when you dialed the wrong number and want to end the call politely.

Je rappellerai plus tard.

I'll call back later.

Meaning: I'll call back later.

When to use: Use this when the person isn't available and you plan to try again.

Je voudrais laisser un message.

I'd like to leave a message.

Meaning: I'd like to leave a message.

When to use: Use this polite phrase when you want to leave a message for someone who is not available.

Le message, c'est : ___.

The message is ___.

Meaning: The message is ___.

When to use: Use this to state the content of a message when leaving one.

Dites à ___ que j'ai appelé, s'il vous plaît.

Please tell ___ I called.

Meaning: Please tell ___ I called.

When to use: Ask the person answering the phone to pass on that you called; polite and common.

Tip: Don't forget 's'il vous plaît' for a polite request when speaking to someone you don't know.