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"Sorry, You're Breaking Up" — Tech Problem Phrases
8 min
A2
When technology fails
Video calls break. Audio cuts out. Screen sharing crashes. French speakers often freeze — not because they can't solve the problem, but because they don't have the English phrases ready. These are the phrases you need.
Audio problems
"Sorry, you're breaking up." — Désolé, ça coupe.
Their audio is cutting in and out. Most common phrase on video calls.
Their audio is cutting in and out. Most common phrase on video calls.
"I think you're on mute." — Je crois que tu es en sourdine.
You can see their lips moving but hear nothing. Said kindly, not as criticism.
You can see their lips moving but hear nothing. Said kindly, not as criticism.
"Can everyone hear me OK?" — Tout le monde m'entend bien ?
Check after joining or after tech trouble. Always confirm before continuing.
Check after joining or after tech trouble. Always confirm before continuing.
Video problems
"My camera isn't working — I'll join without video." — Ma caméra ne fonctionne pas — je participe sans vidéo.
Announce the problem + your solution. Don't just appear as a black screen silently.
Announce the problem + your solution. Don't just appear as a black screen silently.
"Your screen is frozen." — Ton écran est figé.
Their video has stopped. They may not know — tell them.
Their video has stopped. They may not know — tell them.
Connection & sharing
"I'm going to drop off and rejoin." — Je vais me déconnecter et me reconnecter.
Your connection is bad. Announce it before you disappear.
Your connection is bad. Announce it before you disappear.
"Can you see my screen?" — Vous voyez mon écran ?
Always confirm after starting screen share. Don't present to yourself for 5 minutes.
Always confirm after starting screen share. Don't present to yourself for 5 minutes.
Asking to repeat
"Sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you say that again?" — Pardon, je n'ai pas compris. Pouvez-vous répéter ?
Blame the tech, not your English. "I didn't catch that" = I didn't hear it, not "I didn't understand."
Blame the tech, not your English. "I didn't catch that" = I didn't hear it, not "I didn't understand."
Watch out
"I don't understand" on a call sounds like a language problem. Say "I didn't catch that" or "Sorry, could you repeat that?" — it blames the audio, not your comprehension. Even native speakers say this constantly on video calls.
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