French phone etiquette: key phrases for answering, transfers and messages

In Côte d'Ivoire (in West Africa, French-speaking, the world's largest cocoa producer), French is the official language and the language of company switchboards, government offices and most business dealings. On the phone you cannot see facial expressions and people speak quickly, which is what makes it so nerve-racking. Getting familiar with a set of standard phrases will see you through most situations.

Before you call

Write down what you want to say: prepare your introduction, the person you want and the reason for your call, and read from your notes if necessary.
Say up front that you are not a native speaker: opening with "Je ne parle pas très bien français, pouvez-vous parler lentement, s'il vous plaît ?" (My French isn't very good; could you speak slowly, please?) usually makes people more patient.
Check the number format: France Volontaires' 2025 guide explains that Côte d'Ivoire switched to 10-digit phone numbers in 2021; the country code is +225.

Ivorian phone numbers in brief

Oxford Business Group's visitor guide notes that Côte d'Ivoire has three mobile operators. Since the 2021 numbering change, the old 8-digit numbers are preceded by two digits identifying the operator or a landline:

Prefix	Type
07	Orange mobile
05	MTN mobile
01	Moov mobile
27	Landline

If a business card or old record shows only 8 digits, check whether a prefix needs to be added before dialling.

Answering and introducing yourself

French	Meaning	When to use it
Allô ?	Hello?	Picking up the phone; the word is used only on the phone
[Company], [name] à l'appareil.	[Name] from [company] speaking	Identifying yourself when you answer
Bonjour, je souhaiterais parler à Monsieur / Madame X.	Hello, I'd like to speak to Mr / Ms X	When you are the caller
Qui est à l'appareil ?	Who's calling?	Asking the caller's identity
C'est de la part de qui ?	May I ask who's calling? (common at switchboards)	When the other side is about to transfer you
C'est à quel sujet ?	What is it regarding?	Asking the purpose of the call

The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) advises giving your name directly when introducing yourself, without putting Monsieur or Madame in front of it.

Transfers and holding

If you hear any of the following, you are being transferred, so don't hang up:

Ne quittez pas.: Please hold; don't hang up.
Un instant, s'il vous plaît.: One moment, please.
Je vous le passe. / Je vous la passe.: I'll put you through to him / her.
Je vous mets en communication avec…: I'm connecting you with…

Messages and call-backs

When the person you want is not available, the switchboard will often ask:

Voulez-vous laisser un message ?: Would you like to leave a message?
Il / Elle vous rappellera.: He / She will call you back.

You can reply:

Oui, pouvez-vous lui dire que [name] de [company] a appelé ?: Yes, could you tell him/her that [name] from [company] called?
Je rappellerai plus tard.: I'll call back later.

When leaving a message, spell your name once and say your phone number slowly, twice. If you dial a wrong number, you may hear "Vous faites erreur" (You have the wrong number).

Ending the call

To end the call, "Merci, au revoir, Monsieur / Madame" is enough; you can also add "Bonne journée" (Have a good day).

One line for Asian teams

Remember that "Ne quittez pas" means "don't hang up", have an opening line ready asking people to speak slowly, and French phone calls lose their terror.

References: OQLF – Formules usuelles à privilégier au téléphone; Lawless French – On the phone; Comme une Française – Phone calls in French; France Volontaires – Guide pratique des volontaires en RCI (2025); Oxford Business Group – Facts for visitors, Côte d'Ivoire (2020); ITA – Côte d'Ivoire Country Commercial Guide: Business Travel (2026)