Prime 132+ French Slang Phrases and Phrases To Mix in With Locals

49

French is a worldwide language, with a wide range of dialects spoken all over the world. Once you’re first studying French, studying expressions past normal vocabulary is a good suggestion so that you could talk with ease. Recognizing a wide range of French slang can open up tons of alternatives to take pleasure in French films and tv, songs, social media posts, and conversations in actual life.

Style and different French slang for on a regular basis conversations 

Like several informal and spontaneous speech, spoken French is riddled with filler sounds and phrases just like  “like” or “um” in English. Although maybe regarded down upon in formal public talking, these phrases serve to take care of the listener’s consideration whereas the speaker is hesitating to seek for a phrase or full a thought. You’ll be able to sound extra French in the event you embody a few of these phrases!

The phrase style (“like”) is a standard filler phrase, just like the English “like.” It can be used alone to imply “I don’t imagine you!” 

• Ça coute cher, style quinze {dollars}. = It’s costly, like 15 {dollars}. 

Pote and different slang for pals

Whereas un ami/une amie (a buddy) is the usual French phrase for “buddy,” you’re prone to hear different French slang phrases in informal speech or tv, similar to pote (buddy, mate, buddy, pal) and its variations. 

• Voici ma pote, Camille. = That is my buddy Camille. 

Most of those phrases have a masculine type and a female type in order that they observe French gender guidelines. 

Ça roule and different greetings

Whereas a well mannered, normal Remark ça va ? (How is it going?) might work in almost any scenario, it’s enjoyable to combine up your greetings, particularly with pals. Listed here are some greetings you could hear in additional informal speech like some French slang phrases. Like French idioms, they aren’t translated phrase for phrase. Many might translate to one thing like “What’s up?”

• Eh, salut ! Ça roule ? = Hey, hello. How’s it going?
• Ça roule ! = It’s going! 

Bouffer and different slang verbs for on a regular basis actions

One of the crucial widespread French verbs freshmen be taught is manger (to eat), however in lots of contexts the slang time period bouffer (to eat/to stuff oneself) could pop up. The extra widespread an exercise, the extra doubtless there may be to be a wide range of French slang phrases to specific it.

• À quelle heure on bouffe ? = What time are we consuming?
• J’sais pas, mais j’ai un creux ! = I dunno, however I’m feeling peckish. 

Listed here are a couple of French slang verbs to acknowledge and connect with the important French phrases you already know. 

Fric and different French slang phrases for cash 

A slang phrase for cash in French is du fric. The usual time period argent (cash) got here from the phrase for “silver” initially. Lots of the slang phrases for cash and foreign money draw from historic names for cash or currencies as nicely. These French slang phrases may help you speak about cash—or the shortage thereof.

• Tu me prêtes dix balles ? Je n’ai pas un sou. = Are you able to lend me ten bucks? I don’t have a single penny.
• Moi non plus, j’suis fauché. = Me neither, I’m broke. 

Sort and extra slang for folks 

You need to use the time period sort (man) to casually seek advice from a “man,” particularly in the event you don’t know him.

• Il y avait un sort dans mon siège. = There was a man in my seat. 

Some slang phrases for folks come from phrases of endearment or widespread professions. These are all French nouns since they seek advice from folks.

Rigolo and different French slang descriptions

Rigolo (enjoyable/humorous/amusing) is one in all many Slang French adjectives and expressions that may provide help to describe and react in attention-grabbing methods. 

• Il y avait beaucoup d’activités et objets rigolos dans le musée pour enfants. = There have been a lot of actions and humorous issues within the kids’s museum. 

These French slang phrases may help you be extra expressive and dramatic. 

Boulot and different nouns and concepts

You need to use boulot (job/work/effort) to speak about your employment or the idea of working arduous. Many day-to-day locations, issues, and concepts have a French slang phrase to boost your dialog about common life. 

• J’ai beaucoup de boulot cette semaine. = I’ve numerous work this week. 

As an alternative of making an attempt to translate English to French slang phrases or phrases, the place which means could be fully misplaced, be taught to acknowledge French slang in context and check out them out if you’re assured of their which means. 

>>Study particular vocabulary from French dialects all over the world to slot in with the locals!

Ranges and sorts of French slang

French vocabulary and phrases that aren’t thought-about normal or grammatically “appropriate” are ample and fall into a number of classes. Whereas some slang is just thought-about familier (colloquial) and can be utilized with out disgrace in informal speech, others could be vulgaire (vulgar/offensive). 

Once you translate English to French slang phrases, the impression of offensiveness and which means could be misplaced. For instance, in Canadian French, a number of the strongest curse phrases translate to seemingly inoffensive non secular phrases, similar to “chalice” or “tabernacle.” 

When you’re involved about being applicable however wish to check out a slang phrase you’ve realized, seek the advice of a useful resource or a trusted French speaker. In a glossary or dictionary similar to Le Robert French dictionary, you might even see a useful description subsequent to the phrase, similar to familier (acquainted) or vulgaire (vulgar). French audio system could use phrases like gros mot (a “dangerous phrase”) or a juron (swear/cuss phrase) to clarify {that a} phrase isn’t applicable. 

Since language can shift over time, some slang phrases develop into vieilli (old style) over time, and phrases that was once tabou (taboo) can step by step develop into extra accepted. It may be actually useful to have a trusted French-speaker as a buddy who can clarify a slang phrase or expression and information you. Our French tutors at Rosetta Stone may help you combine using French slang into your vocabulary efficiently.

Converse French with confidence with help from Rosetta Stone

French slang displays the language that folks use in actual life, so it’s vital to be comfy with studying new phrases and meanings. Slang differs from normal French in that it could fluctuate between areas, time intervals, and contexts. You’ll by no means be bored if you’re studying French. 

Each publicity to actual life language, together with French slang phrases and phrases, will provide help to take part in French tradition and conversations. When these doubts come up, similar to whether or not a French slang phrase is suitable to make use of, or whether or not it means what you assume it means, you may safely return to the usual French you may be taught with Rosetta Stone. Carry your inquiries to a reside lesson or a tutor for added assist, and understanding French slang will likely be du gâteau (a chunk of cake).