French Phrase
Quelqu'un demande à parler à un collègue.
Meaning
The sentence states that an unidentified person is requesting to talk to a colleague. It is a neutral observation, often used in a workplace setting when someone comes to the reception or a coworker’s desk.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to relay a request that someone wants to speak with a colleague—e.g., at a front desk, in a hallway, or when answering a phone call in an office environment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quelqu'undemandeàparleràuncollègue.
Quelqu'un (indefinite pronoun)
Used to refer to an unspecified person; it contracts "quel" + "un" and takes an apostrophe.
demande (verb demander)
Third‑person singular present of demander; means “asks” or “requests”.
à + infinitive
The preposition à introduces an infinitive that expresses the purpose of the request (to speak).
un collègue (noun + article)
A masculine singular noun meaning “a colleague”; the indefinite article un signals any colleague, not a specific one.
🗨In Conversation
Excusez‑moi, quelqu'un demande à parler à un collègue.
Excuse me, someone is asking to speak to a colleague.
Je suis désolé, je ne sais pas qui c’est. Pouvez‑vous me dire son nom ?
I'm sorry, I don't know who it is. Could you tell me their name?
✕Common Mistakes
Quelqu'un demande de parler à un collègue.
Demander is followed by à + infinitive, not de + infinitive, when the request is about speaking.
Quelqu'un demande à parler à un collègue (referring to a woman).
If the colleague is female, use "une collègue"; otherwise the article must agree with the noun.
Quelqu'un demande parler à un collègue.
The infinitive must be introduced by the preposition à.
↔Alternatives
Quelqu'un veut parler à un collègue.
Someone wants to talk to a colleague.
Quelqu'un souhaite parler à un collègue.
Someone wishes to speak to a colleague.
Quelqu'un cherche à parler à un collègue.
Someone is trying to speak to a colleague.
Cultural Tip
In French offices, it is common to use "collègue" without specifying gender when the context is mixed. However, if you know the gender, you can say "un collègue" (male) or "une collègue" (female). When relaying a request, a polite formula such as "Excusez‑moi" or "Pardon" is expected, and you should keep a professional tone.