French Phrase
Le hardware, c'est du matos, le software, c'est du code.
Meaning
The sentence draws a clear, informal contrast: hardware (the physical components of a computer) is referred to as "matos" (slang for equipment), while software (the programs) is simply "code". It emphasizes that the two realms are fundamentally different in nature.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to explain the hardware‑software distinction in a casual conversation, especially among developers, gamers, or tech‑savvy friends. It’s perfect for blog posts, podcasts, or classroom discussions that adopt a relaxed tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lehardware,c'estdumatos,lesoftware,c'estducode.
c'est + du
Use "c'est du" to indicate an indefinite amount of something uncountable, similar to "it's some" in English.
Borrowed nouns
Words like "hardware" and "software" are English loanwords that keep their original spelling but follow French gender rules (masculine).
Matos (slang)
"Matos" is informal slang for "matériel" (equipment); it’s common in tech circles but avoided in formal writing.
Comma placement
In French, commas are placed directly after the preceding word without a space, and a space follows the comma.
🗨In Conversation
Le hardware, c'est du matos, le software, c'est du code.
Hardware is gear, software is code.
Exactement, le matos c’est ce que tu touches, le code c’est ce que tu écris.
Exactly, the gear is what you can touch, the code is what you write.
✕Common Mistakes
Le hardware, c'est du matériel, le software, c'est du code.
Mixing the slang "matos" with the formal "matériel" sounds odd; keep the style consistent.
Le hardware, c'est du matos, le software, c'est du logiciel.
Using "logiciel" after "software" defeats the purpose of the contrast; choose either both English loanwords or both French terms.
Le hardware, c'est du matos, le software, sont du code.
Avoid saying "c'est du code" with a plural verb; the phrase is singular and uses "c'est".
↔Alternatives
Le matériel, c'est du matériel, le logiciel, c'est du code.
The hardware is hardware, the software is code.
Le hardware, c'est du matériel, le software, c'est du programme.
Hardware is equipment, software is a program.
Le hardware, c'est du matos, le software, c'est du logiciel.
Hardware is gear, software is software.
Cultural Tip
In French tech slang, "matos" is widely used among engineers, gamers, and YouTubers, but it’s considered too informal for official documents or academic papers. Also, note that "hardware" and "software" keep their English spelling, but you’ll often see the fully French equivalents "matériel" and "logiciel" in more formal contexts.