Vocabulary Guide: Technology, AI, and the Digital World

Target: 1,800+ words

Technology transforms society faster than language can sometimes keep up, but the TEF/TCF exam expects you to be fluent in the digital realm. Whether it is an article about cryptocurrency in Reading Section C, or a debate prompt about screen time for children in Speaking Section C, you need the right words to sound authoritative.

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Part 1: Core Hardware and Devices (Le Materiel)

Much of this vocabulary was borrowed from English, but French pronunciation and gender apply.

• Un ordinateur (de bureau / portable): A desktop / laptop computer.
• Un ecran: A screen. (Do not confuse with "un ecrivain" = writer!)
• Un clavier: A keyboard.
• Une souris: A mouse.
• Une imprimante: A printer.
• Un smartphone / Un telephone portable: A smartphone / mobile phone.
• Une tablette: A tablet.
• Un disque dur: A hard drive.
• Un reseau: A network.
• Le chargeur: The charger.
• La batterie: The battery.

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Part 2: The Internet and Software (L'Internet et les Logiciels)

• Une application (une appli): An application / app.
• Un logiciel: Software.
• Un navigateur web: A web browser.
• Un moteur de recherche: A search engine.
• Un site web: A website.
• Un lien: A link.
• Un mot de passe: A password.
• Le nom d'utilisateur: Username.
• La boite de reception: Inbox.
• Une piece jointe: An attachment (crucial for email writing!).
• Le telechargement: Downloading / uploading.
• Le cloud / le nuage: The cloud.

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Part 3: Social Media and Communication (Les Reseaux Sociaux)

• Un reseau social (des reseaux sociaux): A social network.
• Un compte: An account.
• Un profil: A profile.
• Une publication / Un post: A post.
• Un abonnement: A subscription.
• Un abonne / Une abonnee: A follower / subscriber.
• Un influenceur / Une influenceuse: An influencer.
• Un hashtag / Un mot-diese: A hashtag ("mot-diese" is the official but rarely used French term).
• La cyberintimidation: Cyberbullying (very common debate topic).

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Part 4: Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Tech (L'Intelligence Artificielle)

• L'intelligence artificielle (l'IA): Artificial intelligence. (Note: pronounced "ee-ah").
• Un algorithme: An algorithm.
• La realite virtuelle: Virtual reality (VR).
• La realite augmentee: Augmented reality (AR).
• La cryptomonnaie: Cryptocurrency.
• Une base de donnees: A database.
• La cybersécurité: Cybersecurity.
• Un pirate informatique / un hacker: A hacker.

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Part 5: Essential Tech Verbs

• Allumer / Eteindre: To turn on / to turn off.
• Naviguer (sur internet): To browse / surf the web.
• Cliquer (sur un lien): To click.
• Telecharger: To download.
• Se connecter / Se deconnecter: To log in / to log out.
• Sauvegarder: To save / back up.
• Supprimer / Effacer: To delete.
• Partager: To share.
• Taper: To type.
• Imprimer: To print.
• Faire defiler: To scroll.
• Mettre a jour: To update ("une mise a jour" = an update).

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Part 6: Debate Topics and Speaking Phrases

Technology is the perfect arena for TEF Speaking Section C (Convincing/Debating).

Topic: Faut-il interdire les smartphones a l'ecole ? (Should smartphones be banned in schools?)

• Arguments Pour: "Les ecrans nuisent a la concentration." (Screens harm concentration.) / "Cela limite les interactions sociales pendant la recreation." (It limits social interactions during recess.)
• Arguments Contre: "C'est un outil pedagogique utile." (It's a useful educational tool.) / "Il vaut mieux eduquer a un usage responsable plutot que d'interdire." (It's better to educate for responsible use rather than ban.)

Topic: L'Intelligence Artificielle va-t-elle remplacer l'homme ? (Will AI replace humans?)

• Arguments Pour: "L'automatisation menace des millions d'emplois administratifs." (Automation threatens millions of administrative jobs.)
• Arguments Contre: "L'IA creera de nouveaux metiers." (AI will create new jobs.) / "Une machine n'aura jamais l'empathie humaine necessaire pour certains domaines." (A machine will never have the human empathy necessary for certain fields.)

Topic: Le teletravail est-il l'avenir ? (Is remote work the future?)

• Arguments Pour: "Cela offre un meilleur equilibre vie pro/vie perso." (It offers better work/life balance.) / "Cela reduit les temps de trajet et la pollution." (It reduces travel time and pollution.)
• Arguments Contre: "Il y a un risque d'isolement social." (There is a risk of social isolation.) / "La frontiere entre le travail et la maison devient floue." (The boundary between work and home becomes blurred.)

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Part 7: Idioms and Useful Phrasing

• "Etre connecte 24h/24" (To be connected 24/7).
• "Une epee de Damocles" (A double-edged sword - great to describe social media).
• "Une perte de temps" (A waste of time).
• "Etre accro a son telephone" (To be addicted to one's phone).

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Conclusion

The vocabulary of the digital world is a mix of anglicisms (le web, le cloud) and specialized French terms (un logiciel, telecharger). Use this list to prepare for the inevitable technology questions on your French exams. Throw out words like "algorithme" and "cyberintimidation" in your essays to instantly demonstrate a B2/C1 command of modern societal issues.