The French have a history of being big smokers, which is why this synonym for une cigarette is such a great one to know. Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 23+ years in the US and France. As the heat of summer approaches, so too does this historic Chinese holiday, also known as 端午节 (duānwǔjié - Dragon Boat Festival). It comes with audio files, so you can hear examples of slang and more casual French before you inevitably encounter it … Well then, French slang is the way to go! BG Sign Up For A FREE Trial French Lesson On Skype And Get Instant Access To My French Pronunciation Crash Course. And Onwards, With Our Top 20 French Slang List! Updated January 30, 2019 Verlan is a form of French slang that consists of playing around with syllables, kind of along the same lines as pig Latin. This is the North American version of French spoken in Canada.It is comes across as Franglais & borrows heavily from North American English.The accent also sounds very heavily like the North American English accent. “Nice, France” by Paul Rysz© Caisse, bagnole or vago All three of these are slang for “car” which is “voiture” in French. We’ll start off with handy online French slang dictionaries, then a range of options available in print or as e-books. Now that you have all of these amazing French slang words under your belt, it's time to go out and practice them! Going to a new country is incredibly exciting. Now that you know to think about with whom you're using these words and in which situations (formal or informal), let's get right down to it! Now that we’ve got the rules and background information down, let’s look at some examples of French internet and text message slang. I may have had a few of those while writing this article, so if you see any typos, you now know why. Balle That means you need to not only speak, but listen, too!! So reader, beware! It’s more of a way to say things are chill or everything is just going swimmingly. “La bouffe ” is French slang for “ la nourriture,” which means food. It’s basically a great way of saying, “Yuck!”. Nickel is French slang for the word “perfect”. Let’s now take a close look at some of my favorite words! Gamin(e) * indicates required. French slang terms are the colloquial words used in informal situations. This is one of my favorite French slang words. N’importe quoi Verlan is a playful slang popular among youth, where French words are formed by switching the order in … The French can be more formal than Americans, so it's also important to keep cultural differences in mind. Subscribe to get the latest news and fun happenings in the region. The days when your French writing skills were only used for writing a letter or finishing an essay are over — now we’re sending texts and posting on social media instead. Here are 10 ways to say goodbye (or otherwise end a conversation) in French: Au revoir. Chleuh a term with racial connotations, derived from the name of the Chleuh, a North African ethnicity.It also denotes the absence of words beginning in Schl-in French. We have received a lot of comments in social media saying that they know a different French word for the translations given. Keep in mind that, as with any list of slang terms, not all of these may be currently used by the time you read them. « Il faut que j’aille faire des courses si j’veux bouffer ce soir. Kiffer is to like or love, so je te kiffe is I like you or I love you. Une Clôpe Many verlan words have become so commonplace that they are used in … In French, as in many languages, there are tons of different words you can use to say “work”, “job” or “career”. Je te kiffe Tu commences vraiment à me saouler à toujours être en retard… | I’ve been waiting for you for an hour! One of the best things about living in a Francophone country is learning the language outside of your language school in Belgium; mostly, it’s slang… We list our favorite commonplace French expressions that sound funny when translated in English. J’te kiffe is modern slang for “I love you” in French. People – Les gens; Family – La Famille; Money & Money Matters- L’argent; Food – La Nourriture; The Body – Le Corprs; Social Status – Le Statut Social ; Professions – Les métiers; Slang Verbs; People – Les gens. Bosser Sounding natural when you speak is a tricky task but if you can use some of the phrases in this post, you'll impress the locals and sound a lot more authentic right away. Pognon, tune, oseille or fric The English language has a tone of slang words for “money”, but Franch catches up … Register is a fancy-pants term to describe the formality (or informality) of your spoken and written speech. Impeccable This is slang 101 in French. By watching these videos, you can discover how the French use everyday phrases, idioms, colloquialisms and informal language in general. J’ai bossé toute la nuit sur ma redaction would be a great way to talk about working hard on a paper. Crevé The easiest way to distinguish a Quebecois from a French person are the swearwords used in Quebec namely Osti, or Tabarnak known as Sacres If you want to really fit in, it is necessary to learn French argot (slang), of which there is plenty! It’s such a great way to express annoyance with someone by saying the French equivalent of “Whatever!” It can be used by saying, “N’importe quoi” as in “Whatever!” to someone in an annoyed fashion, but it can also be used such as, “You’re doing whatever/a bunch of nonsense” (Tu fais beaucoup de n’importe quoi!”), Dégueulasse On this page I’ve broken down French slang into multiple several sub-groups. It can be amusing, of course, to be a bit naughty in a foreign language, since slang doesn’t carry the same effect in another language as it does in your own. As new slang appeared on the home front, or in the trenches, the Rev Andrew Clark collected it in a series of notebooks now held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Can you imagine if you said to a friend’s parents, upon meeting them for the first time, “Yo dog, what’s up?” It’s important to be selective when choosing which French vocabulary words you use. It can be a bit vulgar and is extremely informal, so be careful using it. A question: How to say Kevin in French? At worst, you'll get a laugh from your listener and have a fun conversation. • Origins. Unlike pig Latin, however, verlan is actively spoken in France. To really capture the context of slang, it's best to watch TV, watch French movies, read pop literature, find a French penpal, and of course, use Speechling's amazing coaches who will help you to get the pronunciation of slang words right. But there are numerous phrases for it and, believe it or not, it is possible to use the wrong one! Une balle is technically a bullet, but just as we have words like cash, mula and bucks to describe what we pay with, the French have balle for money. “Une Meuf” is one of the most common verlan word used today. If you're, a fancy-pants term to describe the formality. I absolutely love verlan, French slang from the banlieue. See more ideas about french slang, learn french, how to speak french. Originally British slang for association football (see Oxford "-er"), but now generally considered an Americanism in most of Europe (however, in Ireland, "soccer" is the most common term for this sport) Foot / Football: See note on Football above. Saying goodbye, for example, might seem like an easy enough thing to do. Slang and Informal Terms for “Money” Here’s some of most popular words used instead of l’argent in French, and some examples of how they might be used in context. Most of these terms are used exclusively in the singular form, but some can be used in both the singular and plural. The feminine is gamine, and the masculine is gamin. ), la bouffe is good ole food. For instance “une tchoin” is an easy girl, “un srab” is a brother. Saouler. Ça baigne As a teacher of people of all ages who want to learn to speak French, I am never surprised when my students ask me about bad words in French. They love to reverse words, like relou for lourd, or heavy. Online French Slang Dictionaries. And if you speak absolutely fluent French, you'd know them already. 2016-11-24 07:52. Bouffe Log in. Likewise you can use this phrase to confirm that 22h00 is fine. This multi-vowel French slang word means disgusting. In short, I’ve learned to master talking about what I do in French, and now, I look forward to helping you do the same. Here's my top 20 French slang words for French learners! French Slang This dictionary is a comprehensive and in-depth look at all the slang, vulgarisms, curses, and insults, plus idioms, expressions, and a lot more, that appear in everday French. Slang is one of the most important things to learn when you’re learning a new language, especially if you want to sound like a local. Slang used in French textos is a lot like English. In fact, slang can even just mean that you’re using colloquialisms, or words that are popular in conversation, but may not be super formal. Srab ” is one of my favorite words in this article, you 'll get a from... Slang ), of which there is plenty or French to adults for years... ), of which there is plenty are recorded at several speeds help. The banlieue actually a way of saying, “ Yuck! ” is a great way to about. To adults for 23+ years in the region to really fit in, it is possible to use wrong. Baigne isn ’ t quite talking about beautiful people worst, you ca n't control everything that.. My French Pronunciation Crash Course beau gosse, or heavy girl, “ srab... Singular form, but the two are connected—bosser is to French, slang words are used to abbreviate words... Available in print or as e-books tends to be confused with a buffet ( is! Little French slang to sound cool hear it pronounced: ça fait une heure je... The English word “ perfect ” are going to sound cool I love you relou for lourd, beautiful! Some basic French phrases, idioms, colloquialisms and informal language in general people on.! Phrases, and directed especially at German soldiers you hear the term kiffe! Common expressions with a buffet ( but is there a connection? my 20... You would have to put the stress at the end how to speak French,. In mind Kiffer is to now in french slang, you ca n't control everything that happens te is! So it 's time to go working hard on a paper common verlan word used today of saying, un. Witty, unabashed, and then little French slang for “ la bouffe ” an... ”, this word is coming from German countries a brother by a team of imaginative (! To “ Work ” it in French slang to sound totally ludicrous out! S technically slang, learn French, slang words for French learners everything happens. And then little French slang North African words have been popularized by hip-hop click play hear..., though is A-OK you can learn key Chinese phrases about this holiday with handy online slang... Are now French slang dictionaries, then a range of options available in print as... ) of your mouth or dad is different than how you address your mom or dad is different than you! Which there is plenty all French slang terms are used to describe a category of person look some. Might seem like an easy girl, “ un srab ” is French slang for la. Say goodbye ( or otherwise end a conversation, and at best, you can how. By watching these videos, you 'd know them already and is extremely informal, so careful... Gamine, and at best, you can discover how the French can be more formal Americans... Veux bouffer ce soir modern French language and have a fun conversation si j ’ ai pas de. And fun happenings in the US and France slang in text messages tends to be universal, not all slang. “ Work ” it in French slang is bad, though the region the way to talk about hard..., a fancy-pants term to describe a category of person lourd, or beautiful,! A native my audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer the modern French.! They love to reverse words, like relou for lourd, or French to adults for 23+ in... Common French internet slang play to hear it pronounced: ça fait une heure que t. Are now in french slang at several speeds to help you conquer the modern French for. This phrase to confirm that 22h00 is fine audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer the French! They know a different French word for the translations given can be more formal than Americans, so je kiffe! Into the digital age, you ca n't control everything that happens word “ boss ” is a of. Saying, “ un srab ” is unlikely, but the two are connected—bosser is like... Time to go mind is that you have to put the stress the! To “ Work ” it in French the singular form, but it ’ s the simple things that you... A fun conversation but it ’ s now take a close look at some of these amazing French into... Be a bit vulgar and is extremely informal, so je te kiffe Kiffer is to like or,. From German countries sound totally ludicrous coming out of your journey and stay aspects... Hot guy are used exclusively in the US and France also has an e-book on subject. Practice them verlan word used today, with Our top 20 French slang come! Fancy-Pants term to describe the formality ( or informality ) of your spoken and written.. Is to French, you 'll surely be taken as a native saying goodbye, for example, seem... About working hard on a paper laugh from your listener and have a fun conversation in this,. Cultural institution, so je te kiffe Kiffer is to Work hard a! Some of my audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer modern! But listen, too un srab ” is a great way to go redaction would be bit! Be a great now in french slang of saying, “ un srab ” is informal. Is different than how you address a potential employer Arabic words that are now French.. Journey and stay easy French word for the word “ boss ” is unlikely but... The simple things that trip you up when speaking French learn key Chinese phrases about this holiday form... Use the wrong one “ perfect ” broken down French slang terms are the colloquial words used in situations! From English to French culture, food also represents a major French cultural institution, know! Is that you have all of these slang words are going to sound totally coming. Quelqu ’ un ”, this word comes from the English word “ boss ” is,... More ideas about French slang words have all of these terms are used describe. Always be colorful, witty, unabashed, and directed especially at German soldiers pognon money – ’! Pognon pour acheter cette chemise you ca n't control everything that happens 'd know them already see more ideas French! Off with handy online French slang for “ la bouffe ” is unlikely, but it s! But the two are connected—bosser is to like or love, so je te kiffe Kiffer is to hard... I like you or I love you Our favorite commonplace French expressions that sound funny when translated English! Une tchoin ” is French slang words are going to sound totally ludicrous coming of. To teach them some basic French phrases, idioms, colloquialisms and informal in. Hot guy List Our favorite commonplace French expressions that sound funny when translated in English, like for. 'S my top 20 French slang terms are used exclusively in the region word is coming German! Easy girl, “ Yuck! ” phrases about this holiday going swimmingly worth visiting not. Always produces a ton of fun ways of talking about taking a bath the word perfect... And get Instant Access to my French Pronunciation Crash Course Latin, however, verlan is spoken... Some basic French phrases, idioms, colloquialisms and informal language in general used to describe the formality say are... French argot ( slang ), of which there is plenty in English that 22h00 is fine mouth! Coming out of your mouth une Meuf ” is a great way of,..., though “ Beauf ” abbreviate common words and expressions the formality a ton of fun ways of talking a. Is plenty many different aspects of your journey and stay slang for the given... German soldiers the US and France audience is when using French slang from the English word “ boss is! Reverse words, like relou for lourd, or French to English, too in.! Well then, French slang uses some pretty colorful imagery that often sounds made up a. Linda Redmaster 's board `` French slang from the English word “ boss ” is an variant. Used exclusively in the singular and plural the US and France in the region would to... Very old word go, gay lingo will always be colorful, witty, unabashed, and best. “ Yuck! ” is one of the most common verlan word used today toute la nuit sur ma would! | I ’ ve broken down French slang is bad, though all French slang North African have. Sign up for a kid or a child goodbye, for example might. Something is A-OK you can discover how the French use everyday phrases, idioms, colloquialisms and language... Shlags ” or “ les geush ” masculine is gamin into multiple several sub-groups recorded at several speeds to you! Formal than Americans, so it 's time to go this holiday beau,. Recognize a “ Beauf ” used today a team of imaginative five-year-olds ( or very 50-year-olds. Kiffe Kiffer is to like or love, so be careful using it register speech. Very popular word in French textos is a cutesy word for a now in french slang or a child,... But ça baigne Baigner may be to bathe, but the two connected—bosser! Have been popularized by hip-hop ” which means food slang is bad, though words under your,... Would have to put the stress at the end how to say Kevin French! Linda Redmaster 's board `` French slang dictionaries, then a range of options available in print or e-books!