Meaning
To make a telephone call to someone.
Cultural Background
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.
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!
Meaning
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!
Pronoun placement
Put 'lui' or 'leur' before 'donner' (Je lui donne un coup de fil).
Text first
In modern France, it's often polite to text 'Je peux te donner un coup de fil ?' before calling.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'donner'.
Je ______ un coup de fil à ma sœur ce soir.
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 ?
The correct verb used in this idiom is 'donner' (to give).
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
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. ________.'
Marc needs to call the garage, so 'coup de fil' is the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal Calling
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe ______ un coup de fil à ma sœur ce soir.
The subject is 'Je', so the verb 'donner' ends in 'e'.
Comment dit-on 'to make a phone call' en français familier ?
The correct verb used in this idiom is 'donner' (to give).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common French idioms using 'coup'.
Léa: 'Tu as appelé le garage ?' Marc: 'Non, pas encore. ________.'
Marc needs to call the garage, so 'coup de fil' is the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 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'.
Related Phrases
Passer un coup de fil
synonymTo make a phone call
Donner un coup de main
similarTo give a helping hand
Jeter un coup d'œil
similarTo take a quick look
Passer un coup de brosse
similarTo give something a quick brush
Joindre quelqu'un
similarTo reach someone
