Complete Guide to French Technology Vocabulary: Tech, Internet & Digital Terms

Whether you are working in tech, collaborating with French-speaking colleagues, or simply browsing francophone websites, mastering French technology vocabulary is a crucial step in modern language learning.

Because technology evolves rapidly, French has developed a unique mix of official terminology promoted by language authorities (like the Académie française and Quebec’s OQLF) alongside everyday colloquial anglicisms. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to talk tech in French with confidence.

1. Computer Hardware (Le matériel informatique)

Let's start with the physical components you interact with every day:

  • Un ordinateur (m.) – Computer
  • Un ordinateur portable – Laptop
  • Un ordinateur de bureau / fixe – Desktop computer
  • Un écran (m.) – Screen / Monitor
  • Un clavier (m.) – Keyboard
  • Une souris (f.) – Mouse
  • Un pavé tactile (m.) – Touchpad
  • Une clé USB (f.) – USB flash drive (pronounced clé oo-ess-bay)
  • Un disque dur (m.) – Hard drive
  • Un chargeur (m.) – Charger
  • Une prise électrique (f.) – Power outlet
  • Un casque audio / Des écouteurs (m. pl.) – Headphones / Earbuds
  • Une imprimante (f.) – Printer
  • Un smartphone / Un téléphone portable (m.) – Smartphone / Mobile phone

> Grammar Tip: Note that ordinateur is masculine. When referring to your laptop informally in conversation, French speakers often say mon portable (which can mean either a laptop or a cell phone, depending on the context).

2. Software and Operating Systems (Les logiciels et systèmes)

To navigate programs and file structures, use these essential terms:

  • Un logiciel (m.) – Software / Program
  • Une application (une appli) (f.) – Application / App
  • Un système d'exploitation (m.) – Operating system
  • Un fichier (m.) – File
  • Un dossier (m.) – Folder / Directory
  • Une fenêtre (f.) – Window
  • Un onglet (m.) – Tab
  • La corbeille (f.) – Trash / Recycle bin
  • Une mise à jour (f.) – Update
  • Une sauvegarde (f.) – Backup
  • Un bogue / Un bug (m.) – Bug / Glitch

    • 3. The Internet & Web Browsing (Internet et la navigation)

Here is the vocabulary required for exploring the web:

4. Social Media, Security & Online Communication

French Term English Translation Practical Example
:--- :--- :---
Le navigateur web Web browser Quel navigateur web utilises-tu ? (Which browser do you use?)
Un moteur de recherche Search engine Tape ta recherche dans le moteur de recherche. (Type your query into the search engine.)
Un lien (hypertexte) Hyperlink Cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous. (Click the link below.)
Un favori / Un signet Bookmark Ajoute ce site à tes favoris. (Add this website to your bookmarks.)
Le Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (pronounced wee-fee) Le Wi-Fi ne fonctionne pas bien ici. (The Wi-Fi isn't working well here.)
Le réseau Network Je n'ai pas de réseau dans le métro. (I have no reception/network in the subway.)
Les données (f. pl.) Data Ce forfait inclut 50 Go de données mobiles. (This plan includes 50 GB of mobile data.)

Engaging in online conversations involves privacy, security, and social platforms:

  • Un compte (m.) – Account
  • Un nom d'utilisateur / Un identifiant (m.) – Username / ID
  • Un mot de passe (m.) – Password
  • Une boîte de réception (f.) – Inbox
  • Un message privé (un MP) (m.) – Direct message (DM)
  • Un fil d'actualité (m.) – Feed / Newsfeed
  • Un abonné / Une abonnée – Subscriber / Follower
  • La cybersécurité (f.) – Cybersecurity
  • Le piratage (m.) – Hacking
  • Un pirate informatique / Un hacker (m.) – Hacker

    • 5. Essential Digital Action Verbs

To describe what you are doing on your devices, you will need these regular verbs (mostly first group -er verbs):

  • Allumer / Éteindre – To turn on / To turn off
  • Cliquer – To click (faire un clic droit = to right-click)
  • Télécharger – To download
  • Téléverser / Mettre en ligne – To upload
  • Enregistrer / Sauvegarder – To save
  • Supprimer / Effacer – To delete
  • Se connecter – To log in / Sign in (Se connecter à son compte)
  • Se déconnecter – To log out / Sign out
  • Mettre à jour – To update
  • Faire défiler / Scroller – To scroll
  • Glisser et déposer – To drag and drop
  • Saisir / Taper – To enter / type

    • 6. Cultural Differences: France vs. Quebec

When speaking tech in French, geography matters:

  • Email: In Quebec, un courriel is standard in both spoken and written communication. In France, while courriel is recognized by authorities, people almost universally say un mail or un e-mail in casual and professional conversation.
  • Podcasts & Streaming: Quebec favors native roots like un balado (podcast), whereas France widely uses un podcast.
  • Anglicisms: In casual French tech environments, you will often hear franglais verbs such as scroller (to scroll), checker ses mails (to check one's emails), or forwarder (to forward). However, in formal writing or exam contexts (like DELF/DALF), stick to standard French verbs (faire défiler, vérifier ses courriels, transférer).

    • Pro Tip for Rapid Mastery

Change your smartphone and laptop operating system language to French. Seeing buttons like Annuler (Cancel), Valider (Submit/OK), Paramètres (Settings), and Rechercher (Search) every single day provides natural spaced repetition without extra study hours.