French is a language of elegance, romance, and rich history, but step off the beaten path of textbook phrases and you’ll quickly discover a vibrant world of slang. Whether you’re planning a trip to Paris, preparing for an exchange semester, or just want to sound more natural when speaking with friends, learning these everyday expressions can transform your understanding of the language. Slang—or *argot*—is the heartbeat of casual French conversation, and mastering it helps you connect with native speakers on a much deeper level.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most famous French slang words and phrases you’re likely to hear in real life. From greetings to insults, from compliments to everyday exclamations, these terms will make you sound less like a student and more like a local. We’ll also break down the context so you know when to use them—and when to avoid them. Let’s dive into the list of the most famous slang words in French.
Everyday Greetings and Casual Expressions
Standard French greetings like *bonjour* and *au revoir* are perfectly polite, but they can feel stiff among friends. Slang offers a more relaxed, authentic way to say hello and goodbye.
- Salut – Already common, but paired with slang it gets looser. “Salut, ça va?” is standard; among young people, you’ll hear “Wesh, ça gaze?”
- Wesh – Borrowed from Arabic, this is a very informal “hey” or “what’s up.” Use it only with close friends, as it can sound rough to older speakers.
- Ça roule? – Literally “it rolls?” meaning “everything okay?” or “how’s it going?”
- À plus – Short for *à plus tard* (see you later). Even more casual: “À plus, mon pote!”
- Tchô – A Swiss-origin farewell that’s common in France, meaning “bye” (pronounced like “choh”).
Example conversation:
— Wesh, mec! Ça roule?
— Ouais, tranquille. Et toi?
— Pareil. Bon, à plus!
Common Nouns for People
How you refer to someone says a lot about your relationship. French slang has many colorful words for “guy,” “girl,” “friend,” and “kid.”
| Slang Word | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Un mec | A guy, a dude | Very common and neutral slang |
| Une meuf | A girl, a chick | Verlan (backslang) for *femme* |
| Un pote | A buddy, a friend | Casual, friendly, widely used |
| Un/une gamin(e) | A kid, a child | Affectionate but slightly informal |
| Un keum | A guy (Verlan) | Verlan for *mec* |
| Une nana | A woman, a girl | Slightly old-fashioned but still used |
Example: “Ce mec est un bon pote” means “that guy is a good buddy.” If you hear “regarde cette meuf,” it simply means “look at that girl.” Avoid using *meuf* in formal situations or with strangers.
Verlan: The Secret Code of French Youth
Verlan is a type of slang where syllables are inverted. It’s extremely popular among teenagers and young adults. The word *verlan* itself is the inversion of *l’envers* (the reverse). Learning a few verlan terms will instantly upgrade your street cred.
- Relou – From *lourd* (heavy), meaning annoying or tedious. “Ce film est relou.”
- Zarbi – From *bizarre* (weird). “Il est zarbi, ce type.”
- Ouf – From *fou* (crazy). “C’est ouf!” means “that’s crazy!”
- Chébran – From *branché* (cool, trendy). Old but still understood.
- Iench – From *chien* (dog), often used as an insult. “T’es un iench.”
Verlan evolves fast. What’s popular today might be outdated next year, but *relou*, *zarbi*, and *ouf* have staying power. Try dropping one into a conversation with a French friend and see their reaction.
Expressing Emotions and Reactions
French slang is full of punchy words for surprise, anger, excitement, and boredom. These are the little exclamations that make speech feel alive.
- Putain – The Swiss Army knife of French swearing. It can mean “damn,” “shit,” “wow,” or “f***.” Use cautiously; it’s strong but extremely common.
- Merde – Literally “shit,” used like “damn” or “good luck” (e.g., “Merde pour ton examen!”).
- Génial – Great, awesome. Standard but widely used in casual talk.
- Nickel – Perfect, spotless. “Tout est nickel” = “everything is perfect.”
- Grave – Literally “serious,” used as “totally” or “definitely.” “C’est grave bien” = “it’s really good.”
- Tranquille – Chill, relaxed, easy. “Je suis tranquille” = “I’m good, no worries.”
Example: “J’ai réussi mon permis!” — “Putain, c’est génial! Grave content pour toi.” This mix of slang and standard French sounds natural and friendly.
Actions and Daily Life Slang
Verbs in slang can be tricky because they conjugate like regular verbs but mean something different. Here are some must-know action words.
- Bouffer – To eat (very informal). “On bouffe quoi ce soir?” = “What are we eating tonight?”
- Bossier – To work (from *bosser*). “Je bosse demain” = “I’m working tomorrow.”
- Chialer – To cry, to whine. “Arrête de chialer” = “Stop whining.”
- Se casser – To leave, to go away. “Je me casse” = “I’m outta here.”
- Kiffer – To like, to enjoy (from Arabic). “Je kiffe ce morceau” = “I love this song.”
- Rigoler – To laugh, to joke. “Tu rigoles?” = “Are you kidding me?”
Use *bouffer* only in casual settings. Saying “je bouffe” at a dinner party might feel too rough, while *manger* is safe everywhere. Similarly, *kiffer* is youthful and positive but can sound strange if you’re over 40.
Insults and Strong Language (Use with Caution)
No slang list is complete without a warning about offensive terms. You need to recognize these to avoid using them accidentally—or to understand when someone uses them toward you.
- Connard / Conne – Jerk (male/female). Very common insult.
- Bâtard – Literally “bastard,” used like in English.
- Enfoiré – Bastard, asshole. Strong but frequent among friends joking.
- Ferme ta gueule – “Shut your mouth.” Very rude. The polite version is “tais-toi.”
- Dégage – “Get lost,” “piss off.”
Remember that context is everything. Among close friends, *connard* can be playful. With strangers, it’s a fight starter. If you’re learning French for professional reasons or exams, skip these entirely.
Slang for Money and Shopping
Talking about money in French slang is fun and surprisingly varied. Here are the terms you’ll hear at markets, among friends, or in casual chats.
- Le fric – Money (most common slang). “J’ai pas de fric” = “I have no money.”
- Le blé – Literally “wheat,” meaning cash.
- La thune – Money, dough. Slightly older slang but still used.
- Les sous – Coins, money. “Gagner des sous” = “to earn money.”
- Le pognon – Money, often with a slightly negative tone.
Example: “Ce portable coûte trop cher, j’ai pas la thune.” You’ll sound much more natural saying *fric* than *argent* when chatting with friends.
Regional and Internet Slang
French slang varies by region and generation. In the south, you might hear *pécho* (to kiss or hook up) from *pécho* as verlan for *choper*. Online, French speakers use abbreviations similar to English.
- Mdr – *Mort de rire* (dying of laughter), equivalent to “lol.”
- Ptdr – *Pété de rire* (bursting with laughter), stronger than mdr.
- Jpp – *J’en peux plus* (I can’t take it anymore).
- Boloss – A loser, a wimp. From English “ball loss” via verlan.
- Cheh – Serves you right! Used when someone gets what they deserve.
These are mostly used in texts and social media. Saying “mdr” out loud might be understood but feels odd. Stick to typing them.
How to Practice French Slang Without Sounding Fake
Learning slang is exciting, but using it wrong can make you sound forced or disrespectful. Here are a few practical tips:
- Listen to French music (rap is a goldmine for slang), watch YouTube vloggers, or follow French TikTok creators.
- Start with one or two words like *mec*, *pote*, and *tranquille*. Add more as you gain confidence.
- Pay attention to the age and relationship between speakers. Slang between teens is different from slang among adults.
- Don’t overuse verlan. Using *ouf* and *relou* is fine, but dropping five verlan words in one sentence sounds exaggerated.
- When in doubt, default to polite French. No one will blame you for being too formal, but using strong slang incorrectly can offend.
Final Thoughts on French Slang
French slang is a living, breathing part of the language. It reflects culture, humor, and social bonds. By learning these words, you’re not just memorizing vocabulary—you’re unlocking a more genuine way to communicate. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, planning a study abroad trip, or just love the language, adding slang to your toolkit makes the journey far more enjoyable. Start with the basics, listen carefully, and soon you’ll find yourself thinking, “C’est ouf, je kiffe trop le français!”
FAQ: Common Questions About French Slang
Is it okay to use French slang in exams or formal writing?
No. Slang is strictly for casual spoken conversation, texts, and informal writing. In exams like DELF or DALF, stick to standard French. Using *putain* or *bouffer* in an essay would lower your score significantly.
How can I tell if a slang word is outdated?
Slang changes fast. A good rule is to check recent French movies, YouTube videos, or ask a native speaker under 30. Words like *chébran* are now very dated, while *ouf* and *relou* remain current. Avoid using slang you learned from textbooks older than five years.
What’s the best way to learn slang without offending anyone?
Start by listening. Watch French series like *Skam France* or *Plan Cœur* with subtitles. Note how characters speak to friends versus strangers. Then practice with a language partner who can correct you. Never use strong insults or swear words until you fully understand their weight.