Learning French slang is both fun and practical. Mastering it helps you sound more like a local and deepens your connection with native speakers. Dive into French slang to enrich your language skills and cultural understanding!
Common French Slang
French slang plays a significant role in everyday conversations, adding color and authenticity to the language. Understanding and using slang properly requires attention to context and pronunciation. Here are some common French slang words:
| French Slang | Pronunciation | Standard French | English Meaning |
| Bouffer | boo-fay | Manger | Eat |
| Truc | truk | Chose | Thing |
| Boulot | boo-loh | Travail | Job/Work |
| Mec | mek | Homme | Guy/Dude |
| Fric | freek | Argent | Money |
| Baraque | ba-rak | Maison | House |
| Gosses | gohs | Enfants | Kids |
| Nana | na-na | Fille | Girl/Chick |
| Meuf | muff | Femme | Woman |
| Ouais | weh | Oui | Yeah |
General French Slang Phrases
Here are some useful French slang phrases, along with their pronunciations and English translations:
| French Slang Phrase | Pronunciation | English Translation |
| C’est nul | sey-noule | That sucks |
| Ça baigne? | sah-benyuh | How are you? |
| J’ai la flemme | zhay la flem | I’m feeling lazy |
| T’inquiète | tan-ket | Don’t worry |
| C’est ouf | say oof | That’s crazy |
| Laisse tomber | less tom-bay | Forget it |
| Ça roule? | sah rool | How’s it going? |
| Je me casse | zhuh muh kass | I’m out of here |
| Ça me gonfle | sah muh gon-fluh | That annoys me |
French Text Slang
Here’s an outline of common French text slang used in digital communication along with examples and translations:
| French Text Slang | Full Form | English Translation |
| slt | salut | Hi |
| mdr | mort de rire | lol (laugh out loud) |
| stp | s’il te plaît | please |
| bjr | bonjour | Hello |
| tkt | t’inquiète | don’t worry |
| c | c’est | it is |
| bcp | beaucoup | a lot |
| a+ | à plus | see you later |
| dsl | désolé | sorry |
| pq | pourquoi | why |
French Slang for Cool
In French slang, there are various expressions used to indicate something is cool or impressive. Here are some examples along with their pronunciations and translations:
| French Slang | Pronunciation | English Translation |
| Impec | um-peck | Perfect |
| C’est de la balle | sey duh lah bal | It’s awesome/great |
| Trop cool | tro kool | Too cool |
| Ça déchire | sah deh-sheer | It rocks |
| C’est ouf | say oof | That’s crazy/awesome |
| Génial | zhay-nee-al | Awesome/Amazing |
| Ça claque | sah klak | It’s impressive |
| Canon | ka-non | Fantastic/Gorgeous |
| Kiffant | kee-fon | Cool/Awesome |
| Ça envoie du lourd | sah ahn-vwah du loor | It’s really impressive |
French Slang for Friends
French slang offers colorful terms to refer to friends or buddies. Here are some examples along with their pronunciations and English meanings:
| French Slang | Pronunciation | English Meaning |
| Pote | pot | Friend |
| Frérot | fre-rot | Bro |
| Poto | po-to | Pal/Mate |
| Zazou | za-zoo | Buddy/Chum |
| Poto/Poteau | po-to/po-toh | Homie/Mate |
| Copain/Copine | ko-pen/ko-peen | Boyfriend/Girlfriend |
| Mec | mek | Guy/Dude |
| Nana | na-na | Girl/Chick |
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French Canadian Slang
French-speaking parts of Canada, particularly Quebec, have their own unique slang that adds a regional flavor to the language. Here are some common French Canadian slang terms with pronunciations and English translations:
| French Canadian Slang | Pronunciation | English Translation |
| Gars | gah | Guy |
| Char | shar | Car |
| Blonde | blawnd | Girlfriend |
| Chum | chum | Boyfriend |
| Bécosse | bay-koss | Outhouse/Bathroom |
| Magasiner | ma-ga-zee-nay | To shop |
| Câlin | kah-lin | Hug |
| Joual | zhwahl | Quebec French dialect |
| Piasse | pias | Dollar |
| Tabarnak | ta-bar-nak | Damn (expletive) |
Other French Colloquial Expressions from Various Regions
French-speaking regions around the world have their own unique slang, reflecting diverse cultures and local nuances. Here are some colloquial expressions from different French-speaking areas:
| Regional Slang | Pronunciation | English Meaning | Region |
| Go | goh | Girl | Ivory Coast |
| Être calé | etr car-le | To be chilling | Ivory Coast |
| Zouk | zook | Dance party | Caribbean |
| Chébran | shey-bran | Cool | France (Paris) |
| Niaiser | nyeh-zeh | To joke around/tease | Quebec, Canada |
| Bobo | bo-bo | Upper-middle-class hipster | France |
| Dodo | doh-doh | Sleep | France |
| Bise | beez | Kiss on the cheek | France/Quebec |
| Boucaner | boo-ka-nay | To smoke/party | Caribbean |
| Piquer un somme | pee-kay un som | To take a nap | France |
Conclusion
Embrace and practice your newfound French slang skills to sound more like a local and deepen your connections with French speakers. Join La Forêt French class to perfect your French with expert French speakers and enhance your language proficiency!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is cool in French slang?
Ans: In French slang, “cool” can be expressed in various ways such as “impec” (perfect) or “trop cool” (too cool). Using these terms will help you sound more like a local. To master these and other slang expressions, consider joining La Forêt class for expert guidance.
Q: What is French slang for stylish?
Ans: The French slang for stylish is “stylé.” This term is often used to describe someone with a good sense of fashion or something that looks great. To enhance your French slang vocabulary and usage, practice with expert French speakers at La Forêt class.
Q: What is the French slang for bro?
Ans: The French slang for bro is “frérot.” This term conveys a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie among friends. To learn more about using this and other French slang words naturally, join La Forêt class and practice with native speakers.
Q: What is the French slang for hot girl?
Ans: In French slang, a “hot girl” can be referred to as a “bombasse.” This informal term is often used to describe someone very attractive. To get comfortable with using this and other slang in everyday conversation, consider La Forêt class for immersive learning with expert French speakers.
