French Verb 'appeler': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

When it comes to learning French verbs, there's no better place to start than with "appeler", which means "to call" or "to name". This fundamental verb is essential for everyday communication in French, and mastering its conjugation and usage will help you build a strong foundation in the language. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the meaning of "appeler", explore its conjugation in different tenses, provide example sentences, and share common expressions and phrases.

What Does 'appeler' Mean in French?

"Appeler" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it means to give a name or title to something or someone, such as: * Appeler un nom (to call someone by their name) * Appeler un titre (to give a title to a book or movie) In addition, "appeler" can also mean to contact or reach out to someone, for instance: * Appeler son ami (to call his friend) * Appeler une ambulance (to call an ambulance)

Conjugation of 'appeler'

Here is the conjugation of "appeler" in present, past, and future tenses:

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
J'----	appelle	j'ai appelé	j'appellerai
Tu----	appelles	tu as appelé	tu appelleras
	appelle
Nous----	n'appelons pas
Vos----	vous appelez
	appellent

How to Use 'appeler' in a Sentence

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the usage of "appeler" in different tenses and contexts: * Je vais appeler mon frère pour lui dire que je suis en retard. (I'm going to call my brother to tell him I'm running late.) I will call my brother to tell him I am running late. * J'ai appelé une ambulance pour aider la personne blessée. (I called an ambulance to help the injured person.) I have called an ambulance to help the injured person. * Nous allons appeler un taxi pour aller à la gare. (We're going to call a taxi to go to the train station.) We are going to call a taxi to go to the train station. * Tu as appelé ta sœur pour lui demander des nouvelles de son bébé? (Have you called your sister to ask about her baby?) You have called your sister to ask about her baby? * Je suis en train d'appeler mon employeur pour prendre un jour de congé. (I'm currently calling my boss to take a day off.) I am calling my boss to take a day off. * Appelons-nous à l'ordre et ne parlons pas pendant le film. (Let's call a truce and not talk during the movie.) Let us call a truce and not talk during the movie.

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'appeler'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using "appeler": * Appeler à la porte (to knock on the door) * Appeler en renfort (to back someone up or support them) * Appeler un taxi (to call a taxi) * Appeler un médiateur (to call in an arbitrator or mediator)

Tips for Remembering 'appeler'

Here are two memory tricks to help you remember the conjugation of "appeler": * Try breaking down the verb into smaller parts: "ap-" is a common prefix, and "-eler" is similar to other verbs like "envoler" (to take flight) or "exeler" (to hasten). * Use flashcards with example sentences in different tenses to help you associate the conjugation with its usage. Practice the verb appeler on My-French.com