This French 3 lesson explains technology vocabulary in French step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on technology vocabulary in French and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To talk about media and technology in French, combine key vocabulary (une appli, un réseau social, télécharger, partager) with opinion phrases such as à mon avis or je suis pour, and link your arguments with connectors like d’abord, de plus, cependant and donc. Together they let you defend a position clearly, in speech and in writing.
Level: French 3 (high school, ACTFL Intermediate Low) · Standards: ACTFL Intermediate Low, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational
Technology vocabulary in French: the lesson
What vocabulary do I need to talk about technology?
Start with the objects and actions you meet every day on a phone or a computer.
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| un écran | a screen | télécharger | to download |
| une appli | an app | publier | to post |
| un réseau social | a social network | partager | to share |
| un mot de passe | a password | se connecter | to log in |
| une chaîne | a channel | s’abonner | to subscribe |
Watch out
The English word “app” is short for “application,” and so is French appli. But un portable is a cell phone, while un ordinateur portable is a laptop. Do not translate “to post” as poster here: use publier.
How do I give and defend an opinion?
Opinion phrases
Use à mon avis, selon moi or pour moi followed by a full sentence. After je pense que use the indicative: Je pense que les réseaux sociaux sont utiles. — I think social networks are useful. To take a side: Je suis pour / Je suis contre + noun or infinitive.
Examples
Selon moi, Awa passe trop de temps sur son téléphone. — In my opinion, Awa spends too much time on her phone.
Je suis contre les notifications la nuit. — I am against notifications at night.
Which connectors organize an argument?
A short argument
D’abord, une appli de messagerie est pratique. De plus, elle est gratuite. Cependant, elle peut distraire en classe. Donc je la ferme pendant les cours. — First, a messaging app is handy. Also, it is free. However, it can distract in class. So I close it during lessons.
How do I write a balanced paragraph?
Follow four moves. First, announce the topic: Beaucoup de lycéens utilisent une messagerie. — Many students use a messaging app. Second, give a reason for with d’abord or de plus. Third, give a reason against with cependant, pourtant or en revanche. Fourth, close with donc or en conclusion and your own view.
- Léo télécharge des podcasts. Pourtant, il n’a pas le temps de les écouter. — Léo downloads podcasts. Yet he has no time to listen to them.
- Les jeux en ligne coûtent cher ; en revanche, les jeux gratuits contiennent des publicités. — Online games are expensive; on the other hand, free games contain ads.
- En conclusion, je suis pour un usage limité. — In conclusion, I am for limited use.
Culture note
In France, a law has banned phones in middle schools (les collèges) during class time since 2018, and many teachers debate it in dissertations and class discussions.
Zoé’s tip
Before you write, make two short lists: les pour and les contre. Then pick one connector from each family and your paragraph builds itself.
Key points to remember
- Many tech words are masculine or feminine by form: un écran, une appli, un mot de passe, une chaîne.
- Opinion phrases: à mon avis, selon moi, pour moi, je pense que, je suis pour / contre.
- Add ideas with de plus; contrast with cependant, pourtant, en revanche; conclude with donc or en conclusion.
- Verbs in -ger keep the e before -ons: nous partageons, nous téléchargeons.
- A balanced argument gives at least one reason pour and one reason contre.
Screens, Feeds and Fair Arguments: frequently asked questions
How do I say “I agree” and “I disagree” in French?
Say Je suis d’accord to agree and Je ne suis pas d’accord to disagree. To nuance, add Tu as raison, mais… (You are right, but…) or Je suis en partie d’accord.
What is the difference between cependant and en revanche?
Cependant introduces an objection to what was just said, like “however.” En revanche compares two sides, like “on the other hand,” and often follows a positive point with a contrasting one.
Which mood follows je pense que?
In affirmative sentences, je pense que takes the indicative: Je pense que c’est utile. In French 3 you can simply avoid the negative form and use Je crois que or Selon moi.
How do I conjugate télécharger and partager?
They are regular -er verbs, but the nous form keeps an e to preserve the soft sound: nous téléchargeons, nous partageons. All other present-tense forms follow the normal -er pattern.
How do I structure a short pour/contre text?
Open with the topic, give arguments for with d’abord and de plus, give arguments against with cependant, then end with donc or en conclusion and your own opinion.