French Phrase
La lumière du modem est allumée ?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the indicator light on the modem is currently on. It is a typical troubleshooting question when checking internet connectivity.
When to use
Use this phrase when you or someone else is trying to verify that the modem’s status light is illuminated, for example before calling technical support or when setting up a new network connection.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lalumièredumodemestallumée?
Definite article (La)
‘La’ is the feminine singular definite article used before a feminine noun like ‘lumière’.
Noun gender (lumière)
‘lumière’ is a feminine noun, so adjectives and articles must agree in gender and number.
Contraction (du)
‘du’ = de + le; it means ‘of the’ and is used before a masculine singular noun such as ‘modem’.
Verb être (est)
‘est’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘être’, used here to link the subject with its description.
Past participle as adjective (allumée)
‘allumé’ becomes ‘allumée’ to agree with the feminine noun ‘lumière’; it means ‘lit’ or ‘on’.
Question intonation
In spoken French, a rising intonation at the end signals a yes/no question; the written form can add a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
La lumière du modem est allumée ?
Is the modem’s light on?
Oui, elle est allumée, donc le signal est bon.
Yes, it’s on, so the signal is good.
✕Common Mistakes
Le lumière du modem est allumée ?
‘lumière’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘la’, not ‘le’.
La lumière du modem est allumé ?
The past participle must agree with the feminine noun ‘lumière’, becoming ‘allumée’.
La lumière de le modem est allumée ?
If you want to say ‘the modem’s light’, you need the contraction ‘du’ (de + le). Using ‘de le modem’ is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Le voyant du modem est allumé ?
Is the modem’s indicator lit?
Le témoin du modem est-il allumé ?
Is the modem’s indicator on?
Est‑ce que la lumière du modem fonctionne ?
Does the modem’s light work?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking households, it’s common to check the ‘voyant’ (indicator light) on a modem or router before assuming there is a problem with the internet service. Using the polite form ‘est‑il/elle’ can sound more formal, while the simple yes/no question is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.