appeler vs nommer
French word comparison
Listen to appeler
Listen to nommer
| appeler | nommer |
|---|---|
/ah-PAY-lay/ verb | /noh-may/ verb |
| to call; to name; to phone someone | to name; to appoint; to call by a name |
How they differ
"Nommer" is closer to giving something a name or officially appointing someone to a role. It is less about physically calling someone on the phone, and more about naming, designating, or selecting.
When to use each
When to use appeler: Use "appeler" for getting someone’s attention, phoning someone, or referring to someone by a name.
When to use nommer: Use "nommer" when you mean to name, designate, or appoint someone or something formally.
Side-by-side examples
- Je l'ai appelé hier soir pour lui donner des nouvelles.
(I called him last night to give him some news.) - On l'a nommé directeur de l'agence.
(He was appointed director of the agency.)
Register & nuance: "Nommer" is more formal and official than "appeler", especially in administrative or professional contexts.