Getting through the phone menu in French

1. 1
   menu/məny/

   menunoun

   A list of choices on offer.
2. 2
   touche/tuʃ/

   keynoun

   A button you press.
3. 3
   dièse/djɛz/

   hash signnoun

   The # sign on a keypad.
4. 4

   optionoption

5. 5

   choixchoice

6. 6

   numéronumber

7. 7

   conseilleradvisor

8. 8

   transférerto transfer

9. 9

   patienterwait

10. 10

    occupébusy

The sentences3 of 10

1. Je ne comprends rien à ce menu vocal.

   I don't understand anything about this phone menu.

2. Il faut appuyer sur quelle touche, déjà ?

   Which key do I have to press again?

3. Elle me demande de finir par la touche dièse.

   She's asking me to finish by pressing the hash key.

Pronunciation

• dièse/djɛz/

  The final s sounds like a z, as in "chaise".

Good to know

menu vocal

Many customer services start with an automated voice menu: a recorded voice offers choices, and you answer by pressing a key or by speaking.

touche dièse

The # on the keypad is called dièse, and the star key is called étoile. You are often asked to confirm a number by finishing with dièse.

numéro de client

Phone providers often ask for a customer or line number before putting you through to an advisor. Keep it handy before you call.

rappel

When the wait is long, some services offer to call you back instead of making you hold. It depends on the company.

Questions

How do you say "phone menu" in French?

You say "menu vocal", as in "Je ne comprends rien à ce menu vocal." The word menu means a list of choices offered.

What does dièse mean on a French phone keypad?

Dièse is the # sign on a keypad. The sentence "Elle me demande de finir par la touche dièse." shows it used as a key to press.