Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B2 noun 10 Min. Lesezeit

le portable

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps le portable in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung le portable in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn that 'le portable' is the word for a mobile phone. You use it in very simple sentences to talk about your possessions. For example, 'Mon portable est noir' (My phone is black) or 'J'ai un portable' (I have a phone). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the 'laptop' meaning too much, as you will likely learn 'l'ordinateur' for computer first. Just remember it is a masculine noun: 'le' or 'un'. You might use it to exchange phone numbers: 'Quel est ton numéro de portable ?'. It is one of the first 'technology' words you will encounter because it is so essential for daily life. Focus on the pronunciation: 'por-tah-bluh'.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you start using 'le portable' in more varied contexts, such as describing daily routines or making plans. You will learn to use verbs like 'appeler' (to call) or 'envoyer' (to send) with it. For example, 'Je t'appelle sur ton portable' (I'll call you on your mobile). You also begin to see it used for 'laptop' in classroom or work settings. You might say, 'J'apporte mon portable pour le cours' (I'm bringing my laptop for the class). You should also learn common adjectives that go with it, like 'neuf' (new) or 'cassé' (broken). You are becoming aware that the word is a shortcut for 'téléphone portable' or 'ordinateur portable'.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B1 level, you can handle more complex situations involving 'le portable'. You can talk about technical problems: 'Mon portable ne capte pas' (My phone isn't getting a signal) or 'Mon portable a planté' (My laptop crashed). You start to understand the social implications, such as discussing 'l'addiction au portable' (phone addiction). You can use it in the conditional or future tenses: 'Si j'avais mon portable, je pourrais regarder la carte' (If I had my phone, I could look at the map). You also learn related vocabulary like 'le chargeur' (charger), 'la batterie' (battery), and 'le forfait' (phone plan/contract). You are comfortable distinguishing between the phone and laptop meanings based on context.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, which is the target for this entry, you use 'le portable' with nuance. You understand its role in French society, including debates about 'le droit à la déconnexion' (the right to disconnect) from work emails on your 'portable'. You can use the word in formal arguments or essays about technology's impact on communication. You are aware of regional differences, like 'le GSM' in Belgium or 'le cellulaire' in Quebec, and you can switch your vocabulary accordingly. You use idiomatic expressions like 'être scotché à son portable'. You also understand the adjective form 'portable' and how it differs from 'portatif', using it correctly in phrases like 'une version portable du logiciel' (a portable version of the software).

At the C1 level, 'le portable' is a word you use instinctively in complex, high-level discussions. You might analyze the linguistic evolution of how 'portable' shifted from an adjective to a dominant noun. You can discuss the 'obsolescence programmée' (planned obsolescence) of 'les portables' and its environmental impact. Your use of the word is perfectly integrated into fast-paced, native-level conversation, including subtle wordplay or sarcasm. You can navigate professional environments where 'le portable' refers to a workstation, discussing 'la sécurité des portables' (laptop security) in a corporate network. You are also sensitive to the register, knowing when to use 'smartphone' for precision or 'tel' for brevity in informal texts.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'le portable' and its place in the Francophone world. You can reflect on the word's etymology and its sociological significance in literature or academic texts. You might explore how the 'portable' has changed the concept of 'presence' in French philosophy or sociology. You can use the word in any context, from poetic descriptions of a glowing screen in the dark to technical specifications in a patent. You understand the deepest nuances of register, including very specific slang or archaic terms related to early portable technology. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a versatile tool in your near-native command of the French language.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

le portable in 30 Sekunden

A masculine noun meaning either a mobile phone or a laptop computer.
Essential for daily life, social interactions, and professional work in France.
Short for 'téléphone portable' or 'ordinateur portable'.
Used in various registers, from informal slang ('tel') to formal reports.

In the modern French lexicon, the word le portable is perhaps one of the most frequently uttered nouns. At its core, it is an adjective turned noun, derived from the verb porter (to carry). While it literally means 'portable,' in everyday conversation, it almost exclusively refers to two ubiquitous electronic devices: a mobile phone (cell phone) or a laptop computer. Navigating which one is meant usually depends entirely on the environment. If someone says they dropped their portable in the toilet, they are almost certainly talking about their phone. If they say they need to plug in their portable to finish a report, they are likely referring to their laptop.

The Mobile Phone Context: This is the most common usage. It is short for téléphone portable. In France, people rarely say the full version anymore. You will hear it in social settings, shops, and advertisements. It encompasses everything from an old-school 'brick' phone to the latest smartphone.
The Laptop Context: This is short for ordinateur portable. While ordi is a popular slang for any computer, le portable specifically highlights the mobility of a laptop. In a professional or academic setting, if you are asked to 'sortir votre portable,' you should reach for your computer.

Zut ! J'ai encore oublié mon portable à la maison; je ne peux pas t'appeler.

Historically, the term gained traction in the late 1980s and early 1990s as technology began to shrink. Before the smartphone era, the distinction was clearer because laptops were huge and mobile phones were rare. Today, as the lines blur, the French language relies on situational cues. If you are sitting at a desk, it is a computer. If it is in your pocket, it is a phone. This linguistic efficiency reflects the French tendency to shorten long compound nouns into a single, punchy word that captures the essence of the object's function.

Il travaille toujours sur son portable dans le train.

Social Etiquette: In France, using your portable at the dinner table is often seen as quite rude, perhaps more so than in some English-speaking cultures. There is a strong emphasis on 'le moment présent' during meals.

The word also appears in various idiomatic contexts related to modern life, such as 'être scotché à son portable' (to be glued to one's phone). As technology continues to evolve, the word portable remains a stable pillar of the French vocabulary, adapting to whatever new device we decide to carry with us next. Whether you are navigating the streets of Paris or a business meeting in Lyon, mastering this word is essential for basic survival and communication in the 21st century.

Using le portable correctly requires an understanding of gender and context. As a masculine noun, it is always preceded by le, un, mon, ce, etc. Because it can mean two different things, the surrounding verbs often provide the necessary clarity. For instance, verbs like appeler (to call) or envoyer un SMS (to send a text) immediately signal that you are talking about a phone. Conversely, verbs like taper (to type) or installer un logiciel (to install software) point toward a laptop computer.

Verb Pairings for Phones: Common actions include: recharger son portable (recharge), consulter son portable (check one's phone), and perdre son portable (lose one's phone).
Verb Pairings for Laptops: Common actions include: ouvrir son portable (open the laptop), éteindre son portable (turn off), and brancher son portable (plug in).

Est-ce que je peux emprunter ton portable pour passer un coup de fil ?

In complex sentences, you might use le portable to describe a state of being or a habitual action. For example, 'Il est accro à son portable' (He is addicted to his phone). Note how the preposition à is used here. In the workplace, you might say, 'Je vais apporter mon portable à la réunion' (I am going to bring my laptop to the meeting). Here, the context of a 'réunion' (meeting) suggests a computer for taking notes or presenting slides rather than a phone for texting friends.

Mon portable n'a plus de batterie, aurais-tu un chargeur ?

Negation and Questions: 'Je n'ai pas de portable' (I don't have a phone/laptop). 'Où est ton portable ?' (Where is your phone/laptop?). The structure remains the same regardless of which device is referenced.

Advanced learners should also be aware of the plural form: les portables. In a classroom, a teacher might say, 'Rangez vos portables !' (Put away your phones!). This command is a staple of modern French education life. Understanding the versatility of le portable allows you to navigate daily interactions with ease, making you sound more like a native speaker who understands the shorthand of modern life.

If you step into any public space in France—a boulangerie, a métro station, or a bustling café—you will hear the word portable within minutes. It is the lifeblood of modern communication. On the train, you will hear announcements asking passengers to 'mettre leur portable en mode silencieux' (put their phones on silent). In the office, colleagues will ask, 'Tu as ton portable sur toi ?' (Do you have your phone on you?) to check if they can reach you later. The word is so integrated into the culture that it has spawned its own set of social norms and frustrations.

In the Métro: You'll see signs or hear people complaining about others talking too loudly on their portable. It's a common point of friction in urban life.
At School: France has strict laws regarding le portable in schools. You will hear parents and teachers discussing 'l'interdiction du portable au collège' (the ban on phones in middle school).

Pardon, j'ai reçu un message sur mon portable, je dois répondre.

In television dramas and films, characters will often shout, 'Donne-moi ton portable !' (Give me your phone!) during tense scenes. In the news, you might hear reports about 'le marché des portables' (the mobile phone market) or 'le vol de portables' (phone theft), which is a common topic in large cities. The word is neutral; it's used by everyone from teenagers using slang to CEOs in boardrooms. However, the way it's used changes. A teenager might say 'mon portable est naze' (my phone is rubbish), while a professional might say 'mon portable est déchargé' (my phone/laptop is out of battery).

On ne capte pas très bien ici, mon portable n'a pas de réseau.

Finally, in technical support or retail environments, le portable is the standard term. If you go to an Apple Store or a Fnac in France, the staff will ask you, 'C'est pour votre portable ?' to know if you're looking for accessories for your phone or your laptop. Because it's so common, it's a word you can't afford to misunderstand, as it bridges the gap between personal life and professional necessity in the Francophone world.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is assuming portable only means 'laptop' because it sounds like the English adjective. While it does mean laptop, its primary meaning in daily French life is 'mobile phone'. Another common error is gender confusion. Since many electronic terms in English are neutral, learners often forget that portable is masculine. Saying 'la portable' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner. It must always be le portable or un portable.

Confusion with 'Portatif': Learners sometimes use portatif when they mean portable. Portatif is an adjective used for things like 'une radio portative' or 'un appareil portatif,' but it is never used as a noun to mean a phone or laptop.
Regional Misuse: Using 'portable' for a phone in Quebec. While they will understand you, it sounds very 'European French.' In Canada, stick to cellulaire or cell.

Faux: Où est ma portable ?
Juste: Où est mon portable ?

Another mistake is overusing the word when a more specific term is needed in a technical context. If you are talking to an IT professional about a desktop computer, don't call it a portable just because you can move it; that would be an ordinateur de bureau. Furthermore, don't confuse le portable with le portail (the gate/portal). They sound somewhat similar to a non-native ear but have vastly different meanings.

Je ne trouve pas mon portable (phone/laptop), pas 'mon portatif'.

Finally, be careful with the plural. In English, we might say 'I have two mobiles,' but in French, you would say 'J'ai deux portables.' Some learners try to use the English word 'mobile' as a noun in French. While un mobile is technically correct and used in some formal contexts (like 'un téléphone mobile'), portable is much more natural in 99% of conversations. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your French sound much more authentic and polished.

The French language has several synonyms and related terms for le portable, each with its own nuance and regional flavor. Understanding these alternatives will help you better understand different speakers and adjust your own register. For example, while portable is the standard, smartphone is increasingly common, especially when referring to the high-tech capabilities of the device rather than just its portability.

Le Smartphone: Used exactly like in English. It sounds a bit more modern or technical than portable. You'll see this in tech reviews and advertisements.
Le Gsm: This is the standard term in Belgium. If you say portable in Brussels, they'll know what you mean, but they almost always say GSM (pronounced 'zhay-ess-emm').
Le Cellulaire: As mentioned, this is the Quebecois term. Using it in France sounds very North American, but in Montreal, it's the only way to go.

J'ai acheté un nouveau smartphone hier, il est super rapide.

When it comes to slang, younger generations might use mon tel (short for téléphone). For example, 'File-moi ton tel' (Give me your phone/number). In the 90s, people used un bipeur (pager), but that is now ancient history. For laptops, you might occasionally hear une bécane (slang for machine/bike/computer), though this is more common for desktop computers or motorcycles.

Passe-moi ton tel, je vais noter mon numéro.

Comparing portable to fixe is also useful. Un téléphone fixe is a landline. In an era where many people are 'cord-cutters,' you might hear someone say, 'Je n'ai plus de fixe, je n'ai qu'un portable.' This distinction is crucial when filling out forms that ask for 'numéro de téléphone fixe' versus 'numéro de téléphone portable'. By mastering these variations, you'll be able to communicate effectively across the entire French-speaking world, regardless of the device or the region.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

Before it meant 'phone' or 'laptop', 'portable' was an adjective used for things like portable altars in the Middle Ages or portable radios in the 1950s.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /pɔʁ.tabl/

US /pɔɹ.tæbl/

The stress in French is usually on the final syllable: por-TABLE.

Reimt sich auf

table stable coupable semblable véritable confortable instable agréable

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'table' like the English word 'table' (tay-bul).
Making the 'r' too hard like an English 'r'.
Adding an 's' sound at the end in singular.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'l' sound clearly.
Confusing the vowel sound in 'por' with 'pour'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Very common word, easy to recognize in text.

Schreiben 3/5

Must remember the masculine gender and correct spelling.

Sprechen 3/5

Need to master the French 'r' and short 'table' ending.

Hören 2/5

Easily identifiable, though context is needed for meaning.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

téléphone ordinateur porter table petit

Als Nächstes lernen

forfait réseau charger application écran

Fortgeschritten

obsolescence numérique ubiquité déconnexion onde

Wichtige Grammatik

Masculine nouns ending in -e

Le portable, le livre, le verre.

Possessive adjectives with masculine nouns

Mon portable, ton portable, son portable.

Shortening compound nouns

Le portable (téléphone portable), la télé (télévision).

Adjective agreement (when portable is an adjective)

Une radio portable (feminine), des outils portables (plural).

Prepositions with technology

Sur mon portable, via mon portable, par mon portable.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

J'ai un portable.

I have a mobile phone.

Uses the indefinite article 'un'.

Où est mon portable ?

Where is my phone?

Uses the possessive adjective 'mon'.

Ton portable est bleu.

Your phone is blue.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Voici mon numéro de portable.

Here is my mobile number.

The preposition 'de' links the noun 'numéro' to 'portable'.

Le portable est sur la table.

The phone is on the table.

Uses the definite article 'le'.

Je n'ai pas de portable.

I do not have a phone.

In negation, 'un' becomes 'de'.

C'est un petit portable.

It is a small phone.

The adjective 'petit' comes before the noun.

Regarde mon nouveau portable !

Look at my new phone!

Imperative form 'Regarde'.

Je t'appelle sur ton portable ce soir.

I'll call you on your phone tonight.

Future-leaning present tense.

Il a perdu son portable dans le bus.

He lost his phone on the bus.

Passé composé of 'perdre'.

Est-ce que tu peux charger mon portable ?

Can you charge my phone?

Infinitive 'charger' after 'peux'.

Elle utilise son portable pour prendre des photos.

She uses her phone to take photos.

Preposition 'pour' followed by infinitive.

Mon portable est vieux mais il marche bien.

My phone is old but it works well.

Contrast using 'mais'.

N'oublie pas ton portable !

Don't forget your phone!

Negative imperative.

Je vais acheter un portable demain.

I am going to buy a phone tomorrow.

Futur proche 'vais acheter'.

Il y a beaucoup d'applications sur mon portable.

There are many apps on my phone.

'Beaucoup de' followed by a noun.

Mon portable n'a plus de batterie, je dois le brancher.

My phone has no battery left, I must plug it in.

'Ne... plus de' means 'no more'.

Il est interdit d'utiliser son portable pendant le film.

It is forbidden to use your phone during the movie.

Impersonal 'Il est interdit de'.

J'ai besoin d'un nouveau portable pour mon travail.

I need a new laptop for my work.

Context implies 'laptop' here.

Si tu perds ton portable, tu dois bloquer la carte SIM.

If you lose your phone, you must block the SIM card.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Je passe trop de temps sur mon portable.

I spend too much time on my phone.

'Trop de' indicates excess.

Est-ce que ton portable est compatible avec ce chargeur ?

Is your phone compatible with this charger?

Adjective 'compatible' followed by 'avec'.

J'ai reçu un message bizarre sur mon portable.

I received a weird message on my phone.

Adjective 'bizarre' after the noun.

On ne peut pas capter le Wi-Fi avec ce vieux portable.

We can't get Wi-Fi with this old laptop.

Verb 'capter' means to pick up a signal.

L'usage du portable au volant est extrêmement dangereux.

Using a phone while driving is extremely dangerous.

'Au volant' means 'at the wheel/driving'.

Mon portable a surchauffé parce que je l'ai laissé au soleil.

My phone overheated because I left it in the sun.

Verb 'surchauffer' in passé composé.

Il faudrait limiter le temps que les enfants passent sur leur portable.

We should limit the time children spend on their phones.

Conditional 'faudrait' expressing a suggestion.

Bien que mon portable soit vieux, il fonctionne encore parfaitement.

Although my laptop is old, it still works perfectly.

Subjunctive 'soit' after 'bien que'.

Le portable est devenu un outil indispensable dans la vie professionnelle.

The laptop/phone has become an indispensable tool in professional life.

Present perfect 'est devenu'.

J'ai dû réinitialiser mon portable car il était trop lent.

I had to reset my phone because it was too slow.

Verb 'réinitialiser' (to reset).

Il est difficile de se passer de son portable de nos jours.

It is difficult to do without one's phone nowadays.

Expression 'se passer de' (to do without).

Le vol de portables a augmenté dans les grandes villes.

Phone theft has increased in large cities.

Noun 'vol' (theft).

L'omniprésence du portable modifie profondément nos interactions sociales.

The omnipresence of the mobile phone is profoundly changing our social interactions.

Abstract noun 'omniprésence'.

Il a rédigé l'intégralité de son mémoire sur son portable.

He wrote his entire thesis on his laptop.

Context clearly indicates 'laptop' for a thesis.

La portabilité de cet appareil est son principal atout commercial.

The portability of this device is its main commercial asset.

Related noun 'portabilité'.

On assiste à une saturation du marché des portables haut de gamme.

We are witnessing a saturation of the high-end mobile phone market.

Compound adjective 'haut de gamme'.

Le portable est souvent pointé du doigt comme source de distraction au travail.

The phone is often pointed to as a source of distraction at work.

Idiom 'pointer du doigt' (to point the finger at).

Les ondes émises par le portable font l'objet de nombreuses études sanitaires.

The waves emitted by mobile phones are the subject of numerous health studies.

'Faire l'objet de' (to be the subject of).

Malgré les critiques, le portable reste un vecteur de liberté pour beaucoup.

Despite the criticism, the phone remains a vector of freedom for many.

Noun 'vecteur' used metaphorically.

Il est crucial de recycler son vieux portable pour limiter l'impact écologique.

It is crucial to recycle your old phone to limit the ecological impact.

Infinitive 'recycler' as a subject complement.

L'avènement du portable a bouleversé le paradigme de la communication instantanée.

The advent of the mobile phone has disrupted the paradigm of instant communication.

High-level vocabulary like 'avènement' and 'paradigme'.

L'aliénation numérique passe souvent par un usage compulsif du portable.

Digital alienation often occurs through compulsive use of the mobile phone.

Sociological term 'aliénation'.

La convergence technologique fait du portable un outil quasi universel.

Technological convergence makes the mobile phone an almost universal tool.

Adverb 'quasi' modifying 'universel'.

Le portable s'est érigé en véritable extension de soi dans la société contemporaine.

The phone has established itself as a true extension of the self in contemporary society.

Reflexive verb 's'ériger en' (to establish oneself as).

On ne saurait sous-estimer l'impact du portable sur la santé mentale des adolescents.

One cannot underestimate the impact of the mobile phone on the mental health of adolescents.

Formal 'on ne saurait' (one cannot).

Le portable cristallise les tensions entre vie privée et surveillance étatique.

The mobile phone crystallizes the tensions between private life and state surveillance.

Verb 'cristalliser' used figuratively.

L'ergonomie du portable est sans cesse repensée pour maximiser l'engagement de l'utilisateur.

The ergonomics of the mobile phone are constantly redesigned to maximize user engagement.

Passive voice 'est repensée'.

Le portable, par sa polyvalence, a rendu obsolètes de nombreux appareils monofonctionnels.

The mobile phone, through its versatility, has made many single-function devices obsolete.

Noun 'polyvalence' (versatility).

Häufige Kollokationen

recharger son portable

perdre son portable

consulter son portable

éteindre son portable

numéro de portable

forfait portable

écran de portable

mode silencieux

capter avec son portable

vol de portable

Häufige Phrasen

T'as ton portable ?

— Do you have your phone with you?

T'as ton portable ? J'ai besoin de vérifier un truc.

Passer un coup de fil sur son portable.

— To make a quick call on one's phone.

Je vais passer un coup de fil sur mon portable.

Être scotché à son portable.

— To be glued to one's phone.

Il est toujours scotché à son portable.

Tomber en panne de portable.

— To have one's phone or laptop break down.

Je suis tombé en panne de portable en plein travail.

Un portable déchargé.

— A phone/laptop with no battery.

Désolé, j'avais un portable déchargé.

Vérifier son portable.

— To check one's phone for messages.

Elle vérifie son portable sans arrêt.

Lâcher son portable.

— To put down or stop using one's phone.

Lâche un peu ton portable et mange !

Un chargeur de portable.

— A phone or laptop charger.

Tu as un chargeur de portable ?

Une coque de portable.

— A phone case.

J'ai acheté une nouvelle coque de portable.

Le portable vibre.

— The phone is vibrating.

Attends, mon portable vibre.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

le portable vs portatif

Portatif is an adjective (e.g., radio portative), portable is both an adjective and a noun for electronics.

le portable vs portail

Portail means a gate or a web portal, it sounds similar but is different.

le portable vs portable (English)

The English adjective 'portable' is broader; in French, the noun usually means phone or laptop.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Être accro au portable"

— To be addicted to one's phone.

Toute cette génération est accro au portable.

informal

"Vivre par portable interposé"

— To experience life through a screen rather than directly.

Ils ne se parlent plus, ils vivent par portable interposé.

formal/literary

"Le tout-portable"

— The societal trend of everything being accessible via mobile devices.

L'ère du tout-portable a changé nos habitudes.

journalistic

"Avoir le portable greffé à la main"

— To always have one's phone in hand (hyperbole).

Elle a le portable greffé à la main, c'est incroyable.

informal

"Passer sa vie sur son portable"

— To spend all one's time on the phone.

Il passe sa vie sur son portable au lieu de réviser.

informal

"Le portable est roi"

— The phone is the most important thing (contextual).

Dans cette réunion, le portable est roi.

neutral

"Un portable de secours"

— A backup phone.

J'ai toujours un vieux portable de secours dans mon sac.

neutral

"Couper son portable"

— To turn off one's phone to avoid being disturbed.

Pendant les vacances, je coupe mon portable.

neutral

"Le portable qui chauffe"

— The phone is getting hot (often used metaphorically for busy-ness).

Mon portable n'arrête pas de chauffer avec tous ces appels.

informal

"Faire le portable"

— To act as a middleman or messenger (rare/regional).

Je ne vais pas faire le portable entre vous deux !

slang

Leicht verwechselbar

le portable vs portatif

Both mean 'portable' in English.

'Portable' is used for modern electronics; 'portatif' is used for tools or older devices.

Un téléphone portable vs une scie portative.

le portable vs mobile

Both refer to phones.

'Mobile' is more technical/formal; 'portable' is everyday speech.

Un téléphone mobile (technical) vs Mon portable (everyday).

le portable vs ordi

Both can mean laptop.

'Ordi' is slang for any computer; 'portable' specifically means laptop.

J'allume mon ordi (could be desktop) vs J'allume mon portable (laptop).

le portable vs tablette

Both are portable devices.

'Tablette' is a tablet (iPad); 'portable' is a phone or laptop.

Je préfère ma tablette pour lire.

le portable vs fixe

Opposite meanings.

'Fixe' is stationary; 'portable' is mobile.

Appelle-moi sur mon fixe.

Satzmuster

C'est mon [noun].

C'est mon portable.

Je cherche mon [noun].

Je cherche mon portable.

J'ai besoin de charger mon [noun].

J'ai besoin de charger mon portable.

Il est difficile de se passer de son [noun].

Il est difficile de se passer de son portable.

L'usage du [noun] est devenu [adjective].

L'usage du portable est devenu problématique.

Le [noun] s'est imposé comme [noun phrase].

Le portable s'est imposé comme une nécessité absolue.

Mixed

Où est le [noun] de [name] ?

Où est le portable de Marie ?

Mixed

Ne touche pas à mon [noun] !

Ne touche pas à mon portable !

Wortfamilie

Substantive

portabilité

portage

porteur

portière

Verben

porter

transporter

rapporter

exporter

Adjektive

portable

portatif

porteur

supportable

Verwandt

téléphone

ordinateur

numérique

mobile

technologie

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in daily life.

Häufige Fehler

La portable → Le portable
The noun is masculine, regardless of who owns it.
Mon portable est tay-bul → Mon portable est por-tah-bluh
The English pronunciation of 'table' is incorrect in French.
J'utilise mon portable pour la télé → J'utilise ma télé
Don't confuse 'portable' with 'télé'.
Mon portatif est cassé → Mon portable est cassé
'Portatif' is rarely used as a noun for electronics.
Je n'ai pas un portable → Je n'ai pas de portable
In negation, 'un' changes to 'de'.

Tipps

Phone etiquette

In France, it's polite to keep your phone away during meals. Using it at the table is often seen as a sign of disinterest in the company.

The 'Tel' shortcut

When texting friends, just use 'tel'. It's faster and very common. 'Je t'envoie ça sur ton tel.'

Gender memory

Associate 'le portable' with 'le téléphone' (both masculine) to remember the gender easily.

In Belgium

Remember to use 'GSM' if you want to sound like a local in Brussels or Wallonia.

Laptop vs Desktop

Always specify 'ordinateur de bureau' if you are NOT talking about a laptop to avoid confusion.

The final 'L'

Make sure the final 'l' is heard clearly. It's not a silent letter like in many other French words.

Exchanging numbers

Ask 'C'est quoi ton portable ?' to get someone's mobile number in a casual way.

Theft prevention

In big cities like Paris, people say 'Attention à ton portable' to warn about pickpockets.

Glued to the phone

Use the verb 'scotcher' (to tape/glue) to describe someone who uses their phone too much.

Buying a phone

When looking for a phone plan, ask for 'un forfait pour mon portable'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'portable' device that you 'port' (carry) in your 'pocket'. It's your 'portable'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person carrying a laptop under one arm and a phone in the other hand. Both are 'portables'.

Word Web

téléphone ordinateur batterie écran SMS appel clavier souris

Herausforderung

Try to spend one hour without touching your portable and describe the experience in French.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the French verb 'porter' (to carry), which comes from the Latin 'portare'. The suffix '-able' indicates capability.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Capable of being carried or moved.

Romance (Latin origin).

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware of 'nomophobie' (fear of being without one's phone) in sociological discussions.

In the UK/US, we distinguish clearly between 'mobile' and 'laptop'. In France, one word covers both, which can lead to ambiguity.

The movie 'Le Portable' (fictional reference to tech-focused cinema) Songs about phone addiction by artists like Stromae French laws on 'l'interdiction du portable à l'école'

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the office

Où est mon portable ?
Je travaille sur mon portable.
Branche ton portable.
Mon portable a planté.

At a cafe

Puis-je charger mon portable ?
Quel est le code Wi-Fi pour mon portable ?
Range ton portable.
Il regarde son portable.

In the street

Je n'ai plus de batterie sur mon portable.
On m'a volé mon portable !
Je cherche mon portable.
Regarde ton portable.

At school

Éteignez vos portables.
Pas de portable en classe !
J'ai mon portable dans mon sac.
Prête-moi ton portable.

At home

Où as-tu mis le portable ?
Le portable sonne.
C'est le portable de qui ?
Je cherche le chargeur du portable.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Tu préfères quel type de portable, Android ou iPhone ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses qu'on passe trop de temps sur notre portable ?"

"Tu as déjà perdu ton portable en voyage ?"

"Quel était ton tout premier portable ?"

"Est-ce que tu pourrais vivre une semaine sans ton portable ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez votre relation avec votre portable. Est-elle saine ou toxique ?

Racontez une fois où votre portable est tombé en panne au pire moment possible.

Imaginez le monde dans 50 ans : est-ce que le portable existera encore ?

Quelles sont les trois applications que vous utilisez le plus sur votre portable ?

Pensez-vous que le portable a amélioré ou dégradé nos relations humaines ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, it can also mean a laptop computer. You have to look at the context. If someone is typing, it's a laptop. If they are talking into it, it's a phone.

It is always masculine: 'le portable' or 'un portable'.

You can, but it sounds a bit more formal or old-fashioned. 'Mon portable' is much more common in France.

In Quebec, they usually say 'un cellulaire' for a phone and 'un portable' for a laptop.

The most common slang is 'un tel' (short for téléphone).

Use the full term 'ordinateur portable'.

Use 'téléphone portable' or 'smartphone'.

No, tablets are called 'une tablette'.

Yes, it means 'portable' or 'wearable'. For example, 'une enceinte portable' (a portable speaker).

It is definitely 'le portable'. 'La portable' is incorrect.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen