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A malfunction or failure in technical equipment, systems, or infrastructure that disrupts normal operation.
Le train a été retardé à cause d'un incident technique sur les voies.
The train was delayed due to a technical incident on the tracks.
Les techniciens ont résolu l'incident technique en moins d'une heure.
The technicians resolved the technical incident in under an hour.
Commonly used in IT, engineering, and industrial contexts to describe equipment failures or system malfunctions.
In French technical reports, 'incident technique' is preferred over 'panne' (breakdown) or 'problème' (problem) for formal documentation. Use 'panne' for hardware failures and 'problème' for broader issues.
In casual conversation, French speakers might say 'ça a planté' (it crashed) instead of 'incident technique'. Reserve this phrase for professional or technical contexts.
The phrase combines 'incident' (from Latin 'incidere', meaning 'to happen') and 'technique' (from Greek 'tekhnikos', meaning 'of art or skill'). The term emerged in the 20th century with the rise of complex technical systems.
In French, 'incident technique' is a fixed phrase used in professional contexts. It is not used casually for minor issues but refers to significant disruptions. Avoid using it for human errors or non-technical problems.