Messages and texting

Texting in French is often informal, with short questions and expressions that are also common in everyday conversation.

You can use messages to ask a quick question, tell someone where you are, or arrange when and where to meet. You may also see abbreviations that are less common in spoken French.

Basic messaging vocabulary

These words and expressions describe common ways of communicating by message:

Un message is a general word and can refer to messages sent in different ways. Un texto and un SMS refer more specifically to text messages.

You can use these expressions in simple sentences:

Starting an informal message

Messages between people who know each other often begin with a short greeting:

Coucou is friendly and informal. You will commonly see it in messages or conversations between friends, family members, and other people who know each other well.

A greeting can lead directly into the reason for the message:

Making plans by message

Messages are often used to arrange when and where to meet. These short questions let you suggest a time or place and check whether it works:

Ça te va ? lets you check whether a suggestion is acceptable to the other person:

suggestion + Ça te va ?

For example:

Saying where you are

When you are meeting someone, a short message can tell them where you are or when you expect to arrive:

J'arrive does not always mean that you are arriving at that exact moment. It can tell someone that you are coming or expect to arrive soon.

Saying you'll reply later

If you cannot answer or talk immediately, you can tell the other person that you will contact them later:

Notice the difference between répondre, écrire, and appeler. You can reply to the message, write again later, or switch from messaging to a phone call.

Common abbreviations in messages

Informal French messages may contain abbreviations. You do not need to use them yourself, but recognizing common ones can help you understand messages you receive:

You may see these abbreviations inside otherwise ordinary sentences:

Abbreviations can vary between speakers and situations. Learning to recognize them is more useful than treating them as the standard way to write these words.

Ending an informal message

A short expression can close an informal message naturally:

Bisous is affectionate and informal. You may see it between friends, family members, partners, and other people with a close relationship.

From learning to practice

The next time you send a message, think about how you would write the same message in French. Start with something simple, such as asking where someone is, suggesting a time to meet, saying that you are on your way, or telling someone you will reply later.