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50+ French Slang Words and Expressions You Must Know

Modified on December 27, 2025 Arti Goyal
50+ French Slang Words and Expressions You Must Know

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!

Key Takeaways

  • Learning French slang makes your conversations sound natural and helps you connect with native speakers in a more relaxed, friendly way.
  • Common slang words like “mec,” “bouffer,” and “ouais” add real French flavor to your speech and make you sound more fluent.
  • Knowing chat slang such as “mdr,” “stp,” and “a+” helps you understand everyday online messages and social interactions easily.
  • Each region has its own slang expressions, giving you a fun way to explore cultural diversity while improving your French communication.

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 SlangPronunciationStandard FrenchEnglish Meaning
Bouffer boo-fayMangerEat
Truc trukChoseThing
Boulot boo-lohTravailJob/Work
Mec mekHommeGuy/Dude
Fric freekArgentMoney
Baraque ba-rakMaisonHouse
Gosses gohsEnfantsKids
Nana na-naFilleGirl/Chick
Meuf muffFemmeWoman
Ouais wehOuiYeah

General French Slang Phrases

Here are some useful French slang phrases, along with their pronunciations and English translations:

French Slang PhrasePronunciationEnglish Translation
C’est nul  sey-nouleThat sucks
Ça baigne?  sah-benyuhHow are you?
J’ai la flemme  zhay la flemI’m feeling lazy
T’inquiète  tan-ketDon’t worry
C’est ouf  say oofThat’s crazy
Laisse tomber  less tom-bayForget it
Ça roule?  sah roolHow’s it going?
Je me casse  zhuh muh kassI’m out of here
Ça me gonfle  sah muh gon-fluhThat 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 SlangFull FormEnglish Translation
sltsalut  Hi
mdrmort de rire  lol (laugh out loud)
stps’il te plaît  please
bjrbonjour  Hello
tktt’inquiète  don’t worry
cc’est  it is
bcpbeaucoup  a lot
a+à plus  see you later
dsldésolé  sorry
pqpourquoi  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 SlangPronunciationEnglish Translation
Impec  um-peckPerfect
C’est de la balle  sey duh lah balIt’s awesome/great
Trop cool  tro koolToo cool
Ça déchire  sah deh-sheerIt rocks
C’est ouf  say oofThat’s crazy/awesome
Génial  zhay-nee-alAwesome/Amazing
Ça claque  sah klakIt’s impressive
Canon  ka-nonFantastic/Gorgeous
Kiffant  kee-fonCool/Awesome
Ça envoie du lourd  sah ahn-vwah du loorIt’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 SlangPronunciationEnglish Meaning
Pote  potFriend
Frérot  fre-rotBro
Poto  po-toPal/Mate
Zazou  za-zooBuddy/Chum
Poto/Poteau  po-to/po-tohHomie/Mate
Copain/Copine  ko-pen/ko-peenBoyfriend/Girlfriend
Mec  mekGuy/Dude
Nana  na-naGirl/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 SlangPronunciationEnglish Translation
Gars  gahGuy
Char  sharCar
Blonde  blawndGirlfriend
Chum  chumBoyfriend
Bécosse  bay-kossOuthouse/Bathroom
Magasiner  ma-ga-zee-nayTo shop
Câlin  kah-linHug
Joual  zhwahlQuebec French dialect
Piasse  piasDollar
Tabarnak  ta-bar-nakDamn (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 SlangPronunciationEnglish MeaningRegion
Go  gohGirlIvory Coast
Être calé  etr car-leTo be chillingIvory Coast
Zouk  zookDance partyCaribbean
Chébran  shey-branCoolFrance (Paris)
Niaiser  nyeh-zehTo joke around/teaseQuebec, Canada
Bobo  bo-boUpper-middle-class hipsterFrance
Dodo  doh-dohSleepFrance
Bise  beezKiss on the cheekFrance/Quebec
Boucaner  boo-ka-nayTo smoke/partyCaribbean
Piquer un somme  pee-kay un somTo take a napFrance

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

Q1: 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.

Q2: 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.

Q3: 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.

Q4: 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.

Arti Goyal

Arti is a passionate French trainer with extensive experience in guiding students through DELF, TEF, and TCF exam preparation. Known for her engaging teaching methods, she combines a deep knowledge of the French language with an ability to make learning both effective and enjoyable. Arti focuses on practical communication skills, ensuring that her students not only succeed in their exams but also feel confident using French in everyday situations. Committed to her students’ growth, she fosters a learning environment where French becomes more than just a subject—it’s an enriching and lasting experience.

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