Want to learn some useful French expressions, words and slang that you probably don’t cover in French class? We compiled a list of colloquial (everyday) terms you’ll hear in France. You can sprinkle them into your conversations to sound more fluent or smile to yourself when you hear your French friends use these words.
Since this article is extremely popular there will be a followup post with an additional 25 words. So here’s the first 25 French expressions and slang words you don’t learn in French class (unless your French teacher is awesome).
Trop Stylé
This French expression is used a lot by teenagers and younger people, this is how they say something is cool, similar to «trop bien». You can also use «stylé» (pronounced: stee-lay) as a standalone compliment for things such as clothing, tattoos, a drawing, etc…
« Hé mate-moi ça, c’est trop stylé !»
Faire Gaffe
Recently I was surprised when my cousin kept saying this term and I had no clue what it meant. Ever since he explained it I heard it being used by my relatives, my friends in the South and even the teachers I worked with. Faire gaffe is just another way to say «faire attention» or pay attention, watch out, be careful. Make sure you conjugate the verb faire when necessary.
« Fais gaffe à la marche. »
En fait / Franchement
These two words are extremely useful.En fait(pronounced: ohn-fet) can either connect two phrases, or be used as an interjection.Franchementaccentuates speech and bring attention to an opinion.
«Ah si franchement il est génial !»
Ça y est !
Ça y est (pronounced: sigh-ay) is a little French expression that has two main meanings. It’s usually a replacement of the word “finally” in French, « c’est fait / enfin ». However it’s also an expression that can be used when you find something you were looking for.
Pompette & Déchiré
Oh man, two of my favorites words right here (not sure what that says about me). These words describe one thing: different states of being drunk.Pompetteis the equivalent of beingtipsyin English; when you drank enough to feel it but not enough to regret anything. Déchiré is on the other end of the spectrum and it mean’s you’re WASTED… you’re hammered. Game over –déchiré. Get ready for that walk of shame tomorrow morning.
«Oh putain, hier soir j’étais déchiré(e).»
Bosser / Taffer
These two words are colloquial ways of saying the verb «travailler », or “to work”. If you want the noun le travailcan be replaced by the word le boulot.
C’est Parti !
Let’s go OR let’s get started! You enthusiastically yell « c‘est parti ! » before starting a task or going somewhere with someone.
Nickel
Nickel is French slang for the word “perfect”. When something is A-OK you can confirm it by uttering this easy French word.
Bouffer / la bouffe
These are more informal ways of saying “to eat” (manger) or “food” (la nourriture).
« Il faut que j’aille faire des courses si j’veux bouffer ce soir. »
La Vache !
This is an informal variant of “oh my god”. It’s when an unbelievable event contains compassion, surprise, and a myriad of other intense emotions. Your friend just fell down the stairs and before helping him up you scream this phrase. Then you stare in horror. Then you both laugh because he’s alright. Phew, la vache.
Bof / Bah / Euh
This is an easy way to up sounding fluent in French. Native French speakers don’t fill the silence in their speech with “um’s” and “uhhhh’s”, but rather with « euhhhh’s » and « bah’s »! These three words all are small interjections that should be incorporated into your French speech.
Bof signifies indifference, mild disappointment, or boredom in something. In English, bof is essentially the word “meh”.
Euh is the English equlavent of “um” or “uh”, it’s used to buy yourself time when trying to find your words while speaking.
Bah is another filler word, yet more often than not you’ll find it at the start of a sentence. Mais attention ! When you respond with the statement, « bah oui » to one of your friend’s questions, this indicates that he or she made an extremely obvious statement. The question was so evident that it didn’t even warrant a response.
« T’as mis la table ? »
« Bah oui »
« T’as pas mangé ? »
« Bah si, il est 14h00. »
Beuh / le sh*t
I can guarantee your high school French teacher won’t let you in on these words, but they’re Snoop Dogg approved. Cannabis, Mary Jane, weed, however you want to call it, the French language also has many different terms for marijuana. Even though I’ve never smoked I decided it’s worthwhile to share these words because you hear them if/when people colloquially speak of marijuana. I heard these words quite often on the streets.
Une bagnole
Une bagnole is just a synonym for the word car in French, « une voiture ». I find it to be a bit more dated, however you’ll hear it occasionally, especially in sentences such as:
«Ah c’est une belle bagnole ! »
Mec / Nana
Used in many parts of France and is generally understood to mean “dude” and “chick”.
Sympa
Sympais an abbreviation of the adjective «sympathique »,and here I talk about how you can use this word and many others to sound more Parisian. It’s the perfect word.
Bref
I could write a whole article on this word, there’s even a TV show titled « Bref ». However me being long winded about a word which means “brief” or “in short” would be kind of ironic.
Bref is used when you want to make a long story short, instead of explaining every intricate detail of something, you simply utter the word bref and then get to the point.
Santé !
During a toast rather than saying “cheers!” we say « Santé » in French. It’s a way to wish well upon each other’s health. Make sure when you’re toasting that you look the other person in the eyes otherwise you’ll be called out on being rude!
Well there’s your 25 words. What’s that, you want a bonus word? Oh why the heck not, I’ll treat you guys to a 26th word:
OH BONNE MÈRE
This is how the typicalMarseillais expresses« oh mon dieu ». You’ll encounter this word during a football (soccer) match when those poor OM supporters get scored on in the 90th minute.
If this article helped you then share it! Follow FrenchCrazy via Facebook or our newsletter (see the sidebar) to never miss another update.
Want to learn more types of French slang? Check out this post on French Slang (Verlan)as well as this one on French Texting Slang/Abbreviations.
Well there you have it, 25 French expressions and slang words you don’t learn in French class.
Related posts:
- French Texting Slang
- Le Verlan – French Slang
- 50 French Expressions and Slang to Sound more Fluent
- How to Increase my French Vocabulary?
Kumeeon May 26, 2018 at 07:59
Hello! Thanks for this list of words. I want to know the French equivalent for ‘man/dude’. As in , ‘sorry man/ hey dude’. Do they use desolé mec or any other word?
Reply
Andre De Wildon June 29, 2017 at 18:58
My father-in-law used to have an expression in reference to a home that wasn’t kept up by those who lived there. It sounded like “chez de boo”. I would like to know its real meaning and also how to spell it correctly.
Reply
Bill Joneson March 9, 2017 at 17:27
In my first semester of college French, I was very much impressed by the supposed existence of a French word that meant “…go together well.” Now, after the passage of many years, I found myself wanting to use the word. I thought that it was something like “chebui “, but I can’t find it anywhere. Can anyone out there help me?
Reply
jigion May 15, 2017 at 13:07
“C’est chouette” ? (meaning, looks fine)
Reply
Luis Martínezon February 8, 2017 at 17:42
Let´s say that some of them are tipical Parisian French expressions. Anyway it is very helpfull.
Reply
Tomvinceon October 23, 2019 at 09:42
No they’re not typically parisian, they’re used everywhere all the time.
Reply
Laurie Lovett-Parsonson January 26, 2017 at 02:45
I often see the phrase “coucou” as in “coucou, les filles” . I understand that it is mostly likely slang and is probably a greeting. I was just wondering if you knew what was the “real meaning” of this is and if you had any idea from where or when it started. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Reply
Luis Martínezon February 8, 2017 at 17:37
Basically it means “Hello” or at least it is used like that
Reply
Davidon February 24, 2017 at 10:36
Coucou means Hello but you have to use it only with friends.
Reply
Deseanon April 7, 2017 at 22:44
Coucou mean’s hello it is mostly uesd in Cameroon
Reply
jigion May 15, 2017 at 12:44
It comes from kids, who say “coucou” when unhiding.
So “coucou” to adults is a gentle way to say “here I am”.
It can be aggressive, depending on the tone or if you don’t speak to close friends, with the meaning “here I am… and you don’t listen”.
Reply
Fredericon November 20, 2016 at 11:59
I believe you’re more likely to hear “defoncé” than “déchiré” to say wasted. It’s been a while since I last heard the latter.
Reply
Carlaon October 23, 2016 at 11:14
Could you tell me what ‘top’ means? Like when someone says, “C’est top!”
What is the translation in english?Reply
PinkPrincesson December 6, 2016 at 02:32
Top can mean cute or nice and people say tooop more o for the more cute or nice.
Reply
ashabonon December 11, 2016 at 21:05
It means, ‘It’s great!’
Reply
sweetnesson February 23, 2017 at 06:25
i’m a french student (15yo) and “c’est top” means the same thing as “c’est trop bien” like in english “it is very cool”
if someone need some translation or abbreviations contact me, I will can help you.Reply
Aazzzon March 26, 2017 at 16:43
“c’est bien” “c’est génial”
Reply
netteon June 9, 2017 at 20:10
It means “great” or “nice”…
Reply
Faniranon April 11, 2018 at 08:09
C’est tope means It is cool or it is stylish depending on the context. Basically it comes from the english word ‘top’ which means something is really good. For example , top dawg
Reply
Sarahon May 8, 2019 at 09:21
As a native English speaker I wouldn’t think “top” means good. In that example top means above, so “top dog” means better than all the other dogs, and just means better. We can use the English phrase of “being on top”, or “He’s at the top of his game”. Mostly the word top refers to a t-shirt haha. I need to buy a new top, or I really like my black top.
Reply
Didier Pouzeton October 14, 2016 at 04:48
here’s an oldie : “Tu as le cul bordé de nouilles !” – literal translation is “you have the bum surrounded by noodles” – it means ‘you have luck following you around’
Reply
Cassandreon December 17, 2016 at 05:23
Cassandreon December 17, 2016 at 05:25
Sorry, i respond on the wrong comment ^^’
Reply
Anonymouson October 7, 2016 at 11:41
Can someone tell me what PLS means?
Reply
Cassandreon December 17, 2016 at 05:20
PLS= Position laterale de sécurité= recovery position.
Young people say that when they’re seek, in troubles, it’s like you’re KO.
Hope my explaination was clear ^^Reply
rosarioon July 31, 2016 at 21:02
What is “dm1”?
Reply
Loulouon August 11, 2016 at 17:51
Chatting version of “Demain” morning
Reply
paulon June 7, 2017 at 23:58
Thanks –
It’s fascinating seeing what
abbreviated spelling comes out as
in a different language !Reply
Blunt beatriceon May 5, 2016 at 11:52
Vs avez oublié qu’en France tout est petit. ….une petite salade un petit verre un petit coup un tout petit peu une petite sauce etc etc……écoutez bien et vs entendrez très très souvent. …petit petit petit 😁
Reply
Luluon May 2, 2016 at 13:49
Vous avez oublié “fin”😝
Reply
Manfredon April 28, 2016 at 01:40
There’s 2 other words and they are so French: “truc” and “machin”. both have a common sense: it’s something you don’t say (or forget) the real name but you know what it is. “truc” is usually a small object and can be everything. As an example “j’ai trouvé un truc par terre, ça doit être à toi” (I’ve found something on the floor, it must be yours). “Truc” can also mean “gimmick”. “Truc” is not only an object, it can be an idea or an event: “Il s’est passé un truc entre elle et moi hier soir” (something happened between she & I yesterday night). “J’ai un truc à te dire” (let me tell you something). “Machin” can be a “truc” as well: “j’ai trouvé un machin par terre”. It can also name a guy you don’t know (or don’t say or forget the name) “machine” for a girl. Tu as vu machin ce matin ? (Did you see the guy this morning?). “Machin” can be a big object or accentuate the fact it is a big object: “Quel machin!”
Reply
Chrison September 28, 2015 at 10:40
Bref, I didn’t even realise sympa was slang. Thought it was standard French.
Also, regarding tu et vous, I call everyone who calls me vous, vous and everyone who calls me tu, tu. There is no way I’m letting someone talk ‘down’ to me – as also goes for a lot of my work colleagues.
Reply
John Elkhouryon September 28, 2015 at 14:14
Hey Chris, thanks for you comment! I agree with you on the tu & vous aspect. If someone wishes to guard their distance or remain polite then our conversations shall remain formal. If you want to get to know me on a personal level then changing that subject pronoun is one way to get started. When I worked in France I used tu with almost all my co-workers despite them being maybe 20-30 years older than me. They were awfully friendly and we met up a lot outside of work.
Regarding “sympa”, I had to cater my list to all levels of French learners so I included it for real beginners. In my French class, way back when, we only learned the full word (sympathique). When making these lists I always try to adhere to the same principle: common knowledge for one person is a brand new flashcard for another! I offer a second list with 25 more words to negate any feelings of being “cheated” :D
Have a great day!
Reply
Nigaudeon April 19, 2015 at 22:55
These are fun. Thanks for sharing them.
BTW: The past tense of to drink is drunk – as in “when you’ve drunk enough…”
Reply
John Elkhouryon April 26, 2015 at 02:29
I wanted “you drank” thanks.
Reply
Thomason April 17, 2015 at 00:02
We also use “la Caisse” (litteraly “the Box”) as a slang synonym for “la Bagnole”.
Reply
Chuson December 23, 2015 at 03:26
Yeah, but “une caisse” initially means “a box”… In slang however, refers also to the act of drinking so much you’re “déchiré”. One puts a “caisse” on himself, as in the following type of phrase:
“Hier soir je me suis mis une caisse, j’étais déchiré(e).”There will certainly be room for 25 more words.
Reply
M J Haxbyon April 5, 2015 at 07:07
Great post! Probably worth pointing out that pompette tends to be only used when talking about women.
Reply
thomason April 29, 2016 at 02:59
pompette is also rarely used and also refers most of the time to “snob” people, “ho je suis pompette”
“snob” peoples can also be described as “quelqu’un qui a un balai dans le cul”
Reply
Waled Kamalon January 24, 2015 at 10:27
Merci
Reply
Anonymouson January 24, 2015 at 09:36
Great post. I know and use many of these but there are several new ones that I will start to sprinkle into my conversation. Trop stylé!! J’adore la France.
Reply
Anonymouson January 19, 2015 at 18:37
Pas mal pour un petit aperçu des beautés de notre langue. Congratulations and keep going!
Reply
Bill Stewarton January 15, 2015 at 14:57
Merci. Very helpful words. As someone who is not yet fluent (even though I somehow managed to earn a B.A. in French years ago,) I seldom get to speak with anyone with whom I’d feel comfortable enough using these expressions. In fact, on the language exchange site where I write to pen-pals, I’ve been reprimanded for using ‘tu’ numerous times. The problem is that so many contemporary French learning texts insist on teaching informal French. So much so that I forget the formal usage. I assume those books assume that one is practicing with young fellow students who would not use vous. Anyway, enjoyed your post.
Reply
Charlotte Athur-Arumon January 13, 2015 at 14:57
You forgot the tradionals and controversials ” Putain ” and ” PFFF “
Reply
John Elkhouryon March 31, 2015 at 13:59
Putain isn’t really slang, it’s just vulgar :)
But how do you know I forgot anything? Check out the next few slang articles Charlotte!
John Elkhoury
Reply
Katon July 27, 2016 at 01:00
I have seen an expression on Facebook “tu dates” that translates to “you date” even if I reversed that it doesn’t make English sense…in the context that I see it anyway…any idea what it really means slang-wise?
Reply
jigion May 15, 2017 at 13:03
Verb “Dater” in French means being from specific time in the past, consequently, not being up to date.
“Le journal date d’hier” = Newspaper date from yesterday
“Tu dates” (to a person) : your knowledge is out of date.
jeyon July 15, 2018 at 20:11
“Tu dates” means “It has been a long time that I did not hear about you.”
Submit a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
