Incorporating slang into your daily conversation is key to sounding like a native. Whether you’re traveling, chatting with friends, or enhancing your language skills, knowing French slang will make your interactions more authentic. Here are 50 common French slang terms you’ll encounter in everyday conversations. Let’s explore them together!
When to Use Slang
Using slang helps French speakers express themselves more naturally and connect with others in a culturally authentic way. Here are some situations that they use slang in their daily lives:
Casual Conversations with Friends and Family: Slang is prevalent in informal settings, making conversations more relaxed and relatable.
Abbreviations and Shortened Words for Social Media and Texting: Similar to English, French slang on social media and in texts often includes abbreviations and short forms.
Media and Pop Culture: Slang is commonly used in TV shows, movies, and music to depict realistic dialogue and contemporary culture.
Everyday Activities such as Shopping and Dining: Shopkeepers, waiters, and customers might casually use slang.
Local Dialects: Different regions of France have unique slang terms that reflect local culture and dialects.
Humor and Storytelling: Slang can add humor and color to stories and jokes, making them more engaging and authentic.
50 commonly used French slang
Boulot – Job/work
Fringues – Clothes
Meuf – Woman/girl (verlan for “femme”)
Mec – Guy/dude
Ouf – Crazy/awesome (verlan for “fou”)
Kiffer – To like/love (from Arabic)
Taf – Work/job (short for “travail à faire”)
Ça marche – OK/That works
J’ai la flemme – I’m feeling lazy
C’est nul – That’s bad/It sucks
Truc – Thing
Bidule – Thingamajig/gadget
Merde – Crap/shit (a mild swear word)
Bac – High school diploma
Pote – Buddy/pal
Blé – Money (literally means wheat)
Flouze – Money
Thune – Money
Zouave – Clown/idiot
Bagnole – Car
Pif – Nose
Gueule – Mouth/face (informal)
Bobo – Boo-boo/injury
Fréro – Brother/buddy
Laisser tomber – Forget it/drop it
Déconner – To mess around/joke
Casser les pieds – To annoy/bother
Piquer – To steal
Flic – Cop
Mytho – Liar (short for mythomane)
Gosse – Kid
Tocard – Loser
Relou – Annoying (verlan for “lourd”)
Chiant – Annoying/boring
Se barrer – To leave
Se casser – To leave
Se tirer – To leave
Trimer – To work hard
Se planter – To mess up/fail
Avoir la dalle – To be hungry
Fauché – Broke (no money)
Vachement – Really/very
Zarbi – Weird (verlan for “bizarre”)
Chanmé – Awesome (verlan for “méchant”)
Galère – Struggle/hassle
Fêter – To party/celebrate
Bobo – Bourgeois-bohemian (hipsters)
Avoir du bol – To be lucky
Bouffer – To eat (informal)
Picoler – To drink alcohol
Understanding and using slang is an essential part of mastering any language, and French is no exception. By incorporating these slang terms into your daily conversations, you’ll not only enhance your language skills but also gain a deeper insight into French culture and everyday life.
Would you like to learn more useful French expressions for your daily conversations? Check out the FluenDay app!
You can go directly to the “Clips” section to enjoy various French expressions from movies and TV shows. Click links to get the app for free now!
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