Appeler is certainly the first word that comes to mind when you want to say “to call” in French. But did you know there are many other nuances and expressions you can use? From making a phone call to referring to someone by name, or even asking what something is called, the French language offers a rich vocabulary. Mastering these different ways will make your conversations much more natural and precise. Let’s dive into 9 different ways to say “to call” in French, so you can always pick the perfect word for any situation!

The standard 'to call' (by name, or by phone) – appeler

Appeler is the fundamental French verb for 'to call', encompassing both calling someone by name and making a phone call.

It primarily means 'to call' in two distinct senses: to name someone/something, and to make a phone call to someone.

To state what someone is called (their name), you use the reflexive form s'appeler. For example, Je m'appelle Marie (My name is Marie).

To make a phone call to someone, you use the non-reflexive verb appeler. For instance, J'appelle mon ami (I call my friend).

Appeler is an -er verb, but it features a crucial spelling change in its stem during conjugation, distinguishing it from truly regular -er verbs.

In the present tense, the 'l' is doubled for all forms except nous and vous: j'appelle, tu appelles, il/elle/on appelle, ils/elles appellent, but nous appelons, vous appelez.

This doubling of the 'l' also impacts pronunciation, turning the preceding 'e' into an open 'è' sound, similar to the 'e' in the English word 'bed'.

Appeler can also be used in other contexts, such as 'to call for' or 'to summon', as in appeler à l'aide (to call for help) or appeler à la grève (to call for a strike).

This verb is extremely common and versatile, used across all registers of French, from casual conversations to more formal contexts, making it an essential word for daily communication.

💡 * Comment t'appelles-tu ? (What's your name?)

Je m'appelle Jean. (My name is Jean.)

J'appelle ma sœur tous les jours. (I call my sister every day.)

N'oublie pas de m'appeler quand tu arrives. (Don't forget to call me when you arrive.)

Ils appellent leur chat "Minou". (They call their cat "Minou".)

The 'to make a phone call' – téléphoner

When you want to express the action of 'to make a phone call' or 'to call someone' in French, the most straightforward and common verb to use is téléphoner.

An important grammatical point is that téléphoner is an indirect verb. This means it is always followed by the preposition à when indicating the person being called. You 'call to someone'.

For example, to say 'I call my friend,' you would say 'Je téléphone à mon ami.' The structure 'téléphoner à quelqu'un' (to call someone) is essential for correct usage.

Despite its origin with 'téléphone' (telephone), téléphoner is still perfectly valid and widely used for calling someone on any type of phone, including mobile phones.

You'll frequently hear phrases like 'téléphoner pour réserver' (to call to reserve) or 'téléphoner d'urgence' (to call urgently).

While téléphoner is specific to phone calls, the verb appeler (to call) is more general. Appeler can mean 'to call out,' 'to name,' or 'to call on the phone' (in which case it's a direct verb: 'J'appelle ma mère').

💡 *Il faut que je téléphone à ma sœur ce soir. (I need to call my sister tonight.)
*As-tu déjà téléphoné au médecin ? (Have you already called the doctor?)
*Nous allons téléphoner pour commander une pizza. (We are going to call to order a pizza.)
*Elle aime téléphoner à ses grands-parents chaque semaine. (She likes to call her grandparents every week.)
*Ne me téléphone pas avant 10h. (Don't call me before 10 AM.)

The 'to call back' – rappeler

The verb rappeler is primarily used to mean “to call back” or “to ring back” in French.

While it looks like a regular -er verb, rappeler belongs to a group of verbs that undergo a spelling change during conjugation.

Specifically, the single ‘l’ in the stem doubles to ‘ll’ before a silent ‘e’ (e.g., je rappelle, tu rappelles, il/elle/on rappelle, ils/elles rappellent). The nous and vous forms keep the single ‘l’ (nous rappelons, vous rappelez).

One of the most important uses of this verb is its reflexive form, se rappeler, which means “to remember.” It’s very common and crucial to know.

The most straightforward use of rappeler is in the context of phone calls, meaning “to call someone back” or “to return a call.”

Rappeler can also mean “to remind someone of something.” For instance, rappeler quelque chose à quelqu’un (to remind someone of something).

Beyond phone calls and reminders, rappeler can also refer to “recalling” a memory or even a product (e.g., rappeler un produit – to recall a product due to a defect).

💡 * Je te rappelle plus tard. (I'll call you back later.)

Tu te rappelles notre premier rendez-vous ? (Do you remember our first date?)

Cela me rappelle mon enfance. (That reminds me of my childhood.)

Le gouvernement a rappelé l'ambassadeur. (The government recalled the ambassador.)

Nous nous rappelons souvent de bons souvenirs. (We often remember good memories.)

The 'to be called' (for one's name) – s'appeler

The verb s'appeler is a fundamental reflexive verb in French, primarily used to express 'to be called' or 'to be named'. It's essential for introductions and stating one's identity.

Literally translating to 'to call oneself', s'appeler is the go-to verb when you want to ask or state someone's name. For instance, 'My name is...' directly translates using this verb.

As a reflexive verb, s'appeler requires a reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject. This pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) always precedes the verb, as seen in Je m'appelle (I call myself/My name is).

You'll most frequently encounter s'appeler in phrases like Comment vous appelez-vous ? (What is your name? - formal/plural) or Comment t'appelles-tu ? (What is your name? - informal singular), and the response Je m'appelle...

💡 *Comment t'appelles-tu ? (What is your name? - informal)
*Je m'appelle Sophie. (My name is Sophie.)
*Il s'appelle Marc. (His name is Marc.)
*Comment vous appelez-vous ? (What is your name? - formal/plural)
*Nous nous appelons les Dubois. (Our name is Dubois.)

The 'to summon' or 'to call to a meeting' – convoquer

The verb convoquer translates to 'to summon' or 'to call to a meeting,' indicating a formal invitation or directive.

Convoquer is a formal verb used when an authority or an individual with power issues a call for someone to appear or for a group to assemble.

It carries a more official and structured tone than simply 'inviter' (to invite) and is typically used in professional, administrative, or legal contexts.

Most commonly, you'll hear convoquer in the context of calling a meeting, an assembly, or a general gathering.

It can also be used for summoning someone to court, an interview, or any official appointment where attendance is mandatory or expected by a higher authority.

Always remember that convoquer implies a formal, official request for presence, rather than a casual invitation.

💡 * Le président a convoqué une réunion d'urgence. (The president called an emergency meeting.)

Elle a été convoquée au tribunal la semaine prochaine. (She was summoned to court next week.)

Le conseil d'administration sera convoqué en mars. (The board of directors will be convened in March.)

Les étudiants ont été convoqués pour un entretien. (The students were called for an interview.)

The 'to call out' or 'to hail' – crier/héler

In French, when you want to express the idea of making a loud vocal sound, two main verbs often come to mind: crier and héler. While both involve using your voice, they convey different nuances and are used in distinct contexts, much like 'to shout' versus 'to hail' in English.

Crier is the more general verb, meaning 'to shout,' 'to yell,' or 'to cry out.' It can describe the act of making a loud noise due to emotion (pain, joy, anger) or simply raising one's voice. It focuses on the sound being produced, not necessarily on a specific target for that sound. This verb is versatile, covering everything from a child crying to a person shouting a warning.

Héler, on the other hand, is much more specific. It means 'to hail' or 'to call out to someone' with the explicit intention of getting their attention. You would héler a taxi, a waiter, or a friend across a crowded room. The focus here is on the target and the purpose of the vocalization, making it a deliberate act of communication.

The crucial distinction lies in intent. You might crier a warning to everyone, but you would héler a specific person. If you're simply making a loud noise, use crier. If you're trying to get someone's attention by calling out to them, héler is the appropriate choice. Think of crier as the action of shouting, and héler as shouting at or to someone to gain their notice.

💡 *Il a crié de douleur. (He cried out in pain.)
*Elle a crié son nom. (She shouted his name.)
*J'ai hélé un taxi. (I hailed a taxi.)
*Le serveur nous a hélés de loin. (The waiter called out to us from afar.)
*Ne crie pas, parle doucement. (Don't shout, speak softly.)

The 'to name' or 'to appoint' – nommer

The verb nommer is a regular -er verb in French, primarily meaning "to name" or "to appoint." It's a versatile verb with distinct uses depending on the context.

When used with the meaning "to name," nommer refers to giving a name to a person, an animal, a place, or an object. It's equivalent to saying give a name to.

In a more formal context, nommer means "to appoint" or "to designate" someone to a position, office, or title. This usage is common in professional or political settings.

💡 * Elle a décidé de nommer son chat "Minou". (She decided to name her cat "Minou".)

Le président a nommé un nouveau ministre des Finances. (The president appointed a new Minister of Finance.)

Comment avez-vous nommé votre entreprise ? (How did you name your company?)

Il a été nommé directeur général de la société. (He was appointed general manager of the company.)

The 'to call upon' or 'to invoke' – invoquer

The verb invoquer translates to 'to call upon,' 'to invoke,' or 'to appeal to.' It implies a formal or earnest request, often for help, support, or a higher power.

It's commonly used in formal, legal, or spiritual settings, like invoking a deity, a right, or a legal clause. It signifies bringing something into play with solemnity or seriousness.

More broadly, invoquer can also mean to appeal to someone for their help or to cite something as a justification or reason. For example, you might invoquer someone's kindness or invoquer a rule.

💡 * Il a invoqué son droit au silence. (He invoked his right to remain silent.)

Les fidèles invoquent la protection divine. (The faithful invoke divine protection.)

Elle a invoqué la fatigue pour ne pas venir. (She cited tiredness as an excuse not to come.)

Nous devons invoquer l'aide de nos alliés. (We must call upon the help of our allies.)

The 'to challenge' or 'to question' – interpeller

The French verb interpeller translates most commonly to 'to challenge', 'to question', or 'to call out to'. It carries a sense of direct address, often with an implication of demanding a response or drawing attention.

In formal or legal settings, interpeller is frequently used. For instance, a police officer might interpeller a suspect, meaning to stop and question them. Similarly, a member of parliament can interpeller a minister, challenging them on a policy or decision.

Beyond formal contexts, interpeller can also describe the act of calling out to someone in public, often to get their attention. It can also be used figuratively when something 'strikes' you or 'grabs your attention', making you react or reflect.

What sets interpeller apart from verbs like demander (to ask) is its inherent directness and often an underlying sense of challenge or urgency. It implies that the person being interpellé is being put on the spot and expected to respond or justify themselves.

Interpeller is a regular -er verb, meaning its conjugation follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -er. For example, in the present tense, it conjugates as j'interpelle, tu interpelles, il/elle interpelle, nous interpellons, vous interpellez, ils/elles interpellent.

💡 *La police a interpellé le suspect après une longue poursuite. (The police challenged/questioned the suspect after a long pursuit.)
*Les députés ont interpellé le gouvernement sur la nouvelle loi. (The deputies challenged the government on the new law.)
*Une idée lumineuse m'a interpellé en lisant ce livre. (A brilliant idea struck me/grabbed my attention while reading this book.)
*Il a interpellé un passant pour demander son chemin. (He called out to a passerby to ask for directions.)
*Leur silence interpelle. (Their silence is striking/calls for attention.)

Are there other ways to say 'to call' in French?

Are there other ways to say “to call” in French?

Our list has focused on the most common ways to say “to call” in French, covering everything from making a phone call to naming something. However, the French language, like any other, is rich with nuances. You might encounter more informal expressions, older terms, or even regional variations beyond the most frequently used verbs.

To dive deeper, you could try an online search for phrases like 'synonymes de appeler' or 'argot pour téléphoner' to explore different registers and contexts. Don't forget to specify a Francophone country or region if you're looking for local slang, e.g., 'comment dire appeler en Belgique'.

When you discover new words or expressions, it's crucial to verify their meaning and understand their usage. A dictionary will give you the definition, but seeing the word used in sentences will help you grasp its connotations and appropriate contexts. Always be mindful of formality and common usage before integrating new vocabulary into your speech.

The best way to truly expand your vocabulary for 'to call' — or any other verb — is through immersion. Pay close attention to how native speakers use different terms in French movies, TV shows, podcasts, and books. You'll naturally pick up on subtle differences and discover new expressions in their natural habitat.

For a comprehensive look at the verb 'appeler' and its various uses, including idiomatic expressions and synonyms, the WordReference entry is an excellent starting point. It provides a wealth of information that can further enrich your understanding.

I hope this article has clarified the main ways to say 'to call' in French. Remember, language learning is a journey of continuous discovery. As the famous French author Albert Camus once said, "La vraie générosité envers l'avenir consiste à tout donner au présent." (True generosity toward the future consists in giving everything to the present.) Apply this to your learning, and keep exploring!

9 ways to say "to call" in French