If you want to expand your vocabulary beyond schoolbooks, slang is a gateway to the French spoken by native speakers. These expressions will help you communicate more effectively with locals. Indeed, sometimes when you talk to French people, you feel like your way of speaking lacks naturalness.
This is especially true for people who already have a good level of French and know
the most common speech tics, their origin and meaning.
Learning French in France gives you the chance to notice and use informal expressions. During your language stay, you will notice that slang appears in cafés, public transport, shops, and even sometimes in the media. That’s why it’s essential to get familiar with these terms if you truly want to understand French culture.
Derived from the word "louche", "chelou" means "weird" or "strange". Verlan is a type of slang used by young people, where the syllables of words are reversed. "I saw a chelou guy in the underground parking lot." This word is useful to describe a situation, a person, or behavior that seems unusual or suspicious. During your stay in Antibes, as part of our language programs for juniors, you might hear it in conversations.
Another example of a verlan word, "ouf" is the reverse of "fou" (crazy). It’s used to describe something impressive or extraordinary. "The sea view from the terrace is totally ouf!" or "That’s an ouf car!" In some contexts, it can also express surprise or amazement. To deepen your knowledge of French vocabulary, read our article on the fifteen strangest French words.
You’ll often hear this verb, especially among young people. In this context, language immersion helps you naturally pick up and use this word which means “to really like”. Of Arabic origin, it’s now commonly used in everyday language. "I really kiffe the vibe in this neighborhood, it’s so lively!" You can use this verb to express enthusiasm for people, places, activities, movies, etc.
This noun is a synonym for "friend" or "buddy". Less formal than “ami” but warmer than “acquaintance”, it’s perfect for talking about friendships informally. "We’re meeting with a few potes to watch the football match tonight, want to come?" Language stays in France for teenagers are great for making “potes” while practicing French, aren’t they?
This verb, initially seen as very informal, has gradually become part of common language. It means “to eat”. "After class, shall we go bouffer at the local restaurant?" The noun "bouffe" refers to food in general. You’ll notice that French people love to talk about food, so these words will come in handy in everyday conversations during your French learning journey.
“Ça baigne?” is a laid-back way of asking “How’s it going?”. If everything’s good, you can reply “Ça baigne!”. The phrase (which implies you’re “bathing” or “floating” in well-being) instantly creates a friendly atmosphere to connect with French speakers. That’s why French courses in France often include familiar expressions in their adult programs.
"Grave" can be used as an adverb, like “really” or “totally”. Unlike its original meaning (serious), here it intensifies what you're saying. "This new movie is grave interesting, you should go see it!" In short, it’s a key part of essential vocabulary for tourists in France.
A common way to say you’re tired or exhausted. It’s stronger than “je suis fatigué”, expressing that you’re completely drained. "Yesterday, I was crevé after that 20-kilometer hike." Expressions like these give your speech authenticity and make it sound more native.
This catch-all word means “thing” or “stuff” when you can’t find the precise word. As one of the most used informal terms, it’s often taught in children’s programs to help them communicate easily. "I forgot the truc to open bottles… what’s it called again?"
"Relou" is verlan for “lourd” (annoying or boring). Teenagers use it to describe things or people that are irritating. It clearly expresses annoyance: "My neighbor is so relou – he refuses to talk to us." You can use it for tedious tasks, annoying people, or bothersome obligations. Students attending group language stays in France will likely hear it in local conversations, which helps improve their French skills.
