A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I lost my phone" in French
Say 'J'ai perdu mon téléphone' if you've misplaced your phone in France. A crucial phrase for emergencies.
J'ai perdu mon téléphone.
zhay pehr-DOO mohn tey-ley-FOHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you realize your phone is missing, whether it's in a restaurant, on public transport, or simply not in your pocket. You'll likely need to say this to staff or potentially the police.
Alternatives
- J'ai égaré mon téléphone.Slightly more formal, implies it might be found.
- Mon téléphone a disparu.More dramatic, suggests it might have been stolen.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'perdu'
The 'r' sound is in the back of the throat, not a hard English 'r'.
Silent 'e'
Don't pronounce the final 'e' in 'perdu' or 'téléphone'.
Nasal vowels
The 'on' in 'mon' and 'téléphone' is a nasal sound, don't fully close your mouth.
A small cultural note
Losing a phone is a common worry. French authorities are generally helpful, but be prepared to retrace your steps first.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What if I think it was stolen?
You can say 'Je pense qu'on me l'a volé' (I think it was stolen from me). You may need to file a police report.
How do I ask someone to help me find it?
You could ask 'Pouvez-vous m'aider à le chercher ?' (Can you help me look for it?). Be polite and use 'vous'.
What's the difference between perdu and égaré?
'Perdu' is a general 'lost,' while 'égaré' often implies it's misplaced and might be found nearby.
