A1 Idiom Informal

Donner un coup de fil

To make a call

Significado

To make a telephone call to someone.

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Contexto cultural

The French often use 'petit' before 'coup de fil' to make the request sound less intrusive. It's a way of saying 'I won't take much of your time'. In Quebec, you might hear 'lâcher un coup de fil'. The verb 'lâcher' (to let go/drop) adds a very casual, North American flavor to the idiom. In some West African countries, 'biper' (to beep) is used when you call someone and hang up quickly so they call you back (to save credit). 'Donner un coup de fil' remains the standard for a full conversation. Belgian French is very similar to Hexagonal French for this idiom, but you might notice a slightly different accent on the word 'fil', which is often more closed.

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Use 'petit'

Add 'petit' (un petit coup de fil) to sound more natural and polite when calling friends.

⚠️

Avoid 'Faire'

Never say 'faire un coup de fil'. It's a classic English-speaker mistake!

Significado

To make a telephone call to someone.

💡

Use 'petit'

Add 'petit' (un petit coup de fil) to sound more natural and polite when calling friends.

⚠️

Avoid 'Faire'

Never say 'faire un coup de fil'. It's a classic English-speaker mistake!

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Pronoun placement

Put 'lui' or 'leur' before 'donner' (Je lui donne un coup de fil).

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Text first

In modern France, it's often polite to text 'Je peux te donner un coup de fil ?' before calling.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'donner'.

Je ______ un coup de fil à ma sœur ce soir.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: donne

The subject is 'Je', so the verb 'donner' ends in 'e'.

Which of these is the correct idiom for making a phone call?

Comment dit-on 'to make a phone call' en français familier ?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Donner un coup de fil

The correct verb used in this idiom is 'donner' (to give).

Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.

Match the pairs:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Donner un coup de fil -> To give a ring, Donner un coup de main -> To give a helping hand, Jeter un coup d'œil -> To take a glance

These are all common French idioms using 'coup'.

Choose the best response for the dialogue.

Léa: 'Tu as appelé le garage ?' Marc: 'Non, pas encore. ________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Je vais leur donner un coup de fil.

Marc needs to call the garage, so 'coup de fil' is the correct choice.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Formal vs Informal Calling

Formal
Téléphoner à To telephone
Contacter To contact
Informal
Donner un coup de fil Give a ring
Passer un coup de fil Give a buzz

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'donner'. Fill Blank A1

Je ______ un coup de fil à ma sœur ce soir.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: donne

The subject is 'Je', so the verb 'donner' ends in 'e'.

Which of these is the correct idiom for making a phone call? Choose A1

Comment dit-on 'to make a phone call' en français familier ?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Donner un coup de fil

The correct verb used in this idiom is 'donner' (to give).

Match the French phrase with its English equivalent. Match A2

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Donner un coup de fil -> To give a ring, Donner un coup de main -> To give a helping hand, Jeter un coup d'œil -> To take a glance

These are all common French idioms using 'coup'.

Choose the best response for the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

Léa: 'Tu as appelé le garage ?' Marc: 'Non, pas encore. ________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Je vais leur donner un coup de fil.

Marc needs to call the garage, so 'coup de fil' is the correct choice.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, it is informal to neutral. Use it with people you know or in casual business settings.

Yes, if the relationship is established. For a first contact, 'appeler' or 'contacter' is safer.

There is almost no difference. 'Passer' is slightly more common in casual conversation today.

Literally it means 'wire', but in this idiom, it represents the phone line.

Yes, it is correct but slightly longer and less common than 'coup de fil'.

You say 'J'attends un coup de fil'.

Yes, it is universally understood in the Francophonie, though Quebec has its own variations.

Usually, it implies a voice-only call, but people use it loosely for any phone-based conversation.

Des coups de fil. Note that 'fil' stays singular usually because you are calling on one line.

No, the 'p' is always silent in 'coup'.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Passer un coup de fil

synonym

To make a phone call

🔗

Donner un coup de main

similar

To give a helping hand

🔗

Jeter un coup d'œil

similar

To take a quick look

🔗

Passer un coup de brosse

similar

To give something a quick brush

🔗

Joindre quelqu'un

similar

To reach someone

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