A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My room was broken into" in French
Use this phrase to report a break-in or burglary in your hotel room or rented accommodation in France.
On a cambriolé ma chambre.
ohn ah kahn-bree-oh-LAY mah SHAHM-bruhneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Report this to hotel staff or the police if you discover your room has been entered without permission and items are missing. This phrase is direct and clearly conveys the seriousness of the situation.
Alternatives
- Ma chambre a été forcée.Emphasizes that the door was forced open.
- Quelqu'un est entré par effraction dans ma chambre.More formal and descriptive, specifying 'breaking and entering'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'chambre'
The 'ch' is like 'sh' in 'shoe', and the 'an' is a nasal vowel, not like 'ahn'.
Confusing 'cambrioler' and 'voler'
'Cambrioler' specifically means to break into a place, while 'voler' just means to steal.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between cambrioler and voler?
'Cambrioler' means to break into a place, implying forced entry. 'Voler' simply means to steal something.
How do I say my hotel room was broken into?
You would say 'On a cambriolé ma chambre.' This clearly states that someone broke into your room.
What if nothing was stolen but the door was forced?
You could say 'Ma chambre a été forcée,' which means 'my room was forced open,' highlighting the damage.
