1. C’est chanmé
”Chanmé” can be translated with terms such as ”Awesome” and ”Wicked.”
For instance, you could say:
- J’adore ta nouvelle voiture, c’est chanmé – I love your new car, it is awesome.
”Chanmé” is common in daily conversations.
2. ”Bosser”
”Travailler – to work” is the verb that we learn in the classroom.
”Bosser” has the same meaning, and it is used frequently, especially among young people.
You can therefore use “Bosser” instead when having informal conversations.
- Je ne veux pas bosser – I don’t want to work.
3. ”Une bagnole” and ”Une caisse”
You probably know the meaning of ”Une voiture”?
It is the French word for car. ”Une bagnole” and ”une caisse” has the same meaning.
You will get used to these terms if you watch French shows and films.
4. Bof
Have you ever heard the expression “Comme çi comme ça?”
This is a pretty outdated way of saying that something is neither good nor bad.
“Bof” is a more modern way of saying that you are indifferent to something.
It is also easier to remember 😊.
- Tu es content avec ton professeur? Bof – Are you pleased with your teacher? So-so.
5. ”J’ai pété un câble” or ”J’ai pété un plomb”
These terms simply mean ”I lost it,” as in “I lost my temper.” However, “I snapped” could be a better translation for some contexts.
I believe that “J’ai pété un cable” is a bit more common than “J’ai pété un plomb.”
You will definitely hear this phrase at some point when immersing yourself in the French language.
6. Un bouffon
”Un bouffon” is not a nice thing to call someone.
However, it is not that worst insult that exists in the French language 😊.
”Un bouffon” means ”a clown” or “fool.”
- Elle n’aime pas ce bouffon – She does not like this clown.
7. J’ai la flemme
”J’ai la flemme” means that you are lazy, but it does not have to mean that you are always lazy.
It can be a temporary state of mind.
For instance:
- J’ai la flemme, ce n’est pas le bon moment pour une réunion – I feel too lazy to go to that meeting today.
8. Kiffer
“Kiffer” simply means “aimer,” which is the English equivalent to “like”.
It is a verb that has become very popular.
You can say:
- Je kiffe ton frère – I like your brother.
9. Lourd
“Lourd,” or the feminine version “lourde,” usually means that someone or something is heavy in relation to weight.
But you should know that “lourd” is used in contexts that are not related to weight. Other translations can be “annoying” or “clumsy.”
- Je n’aime pas ce mec, il est lourd – I do not like this guy, he is annoying.
10. ”Le blé”, ”Le fric” and ”La thune”
All these terms are a way of saying ”money.” The more formal way of saying money is “argent.”
I should also mention that there are even more slang words for this term.
11. Des potes
You are probably already familiar with the term “les amis,” which means “friends.”
“Des potes” means the same thing, and you will most likely hear this expression if you watch French films and series.
- J’ai passé la soirée avec mes potes – I spent the evening with my friends.
12. Chiant/Chiante
”Chiant” and ”Chiante” can be used for describing something that “sucks” or is “irritating.”
There are two spellings because there is one feminine form and one masculine form.
- Masculine: ”Le cinema est fermé? C’est chiant – The cinema is closed? That sucks.”
- Feminine: ”La réunion est annulée, c’est chiante – The meeting is cancelled, it sucks.”
13. Je me case
”Je me casse” is a way of saying “I’m outta here” or “I’m leaving”.
This phrase was the song title of Malta’s Eurovision entry 2021.
It is a reflexive verb, which means that you might have to change the pronoun. For instance:
- On se casse – We are leaving.
- Elle se casse – She is leaving.
14. Ouf
”Ouf” means ”crazy.”
For example, you could say “Un truc de ouf,” which means “A crazy thing.”
It is a very common expression among adolescents.
15. Relou
”Relou” is often used for a person that is irritating.
You could for instance use “relou” to describe a man who is desperately trying to flirt with someone.
- Il est relou. – He is irritating, he does not give up.
16. Chelou
”Chelou” can be translated with ”weird” or ”dodgy.”
You can use ”Chelou” to describe someone that you cannot make sense of.
- Ce mec est trop chelou – This guy is too weird.
17. Bolos
”Bolos” can be used to describe someone that is a ”loser” or a bit ”stupid.” It can also mean that someone is a coward.
- Mon copain est bolos – My boyfriend is a coward.
18. Bouffer
”Bouffer” is a verb that means “To eat”. You are probably already familiar with the term “manger” that is a bit more common.
- Je vais manger – I am going to eat.
- Je vais bouffer – I am going to eat.
19. Des fringues
“Des vêtements” means “clothes”. Now you can add “des fringues” to your vocabulary. It also means “clothes”, but in a more cool way 😊.
- Où sont mes fringues? – Where are my clothes?
20. Dégueulasse, dégueu
These words are easy to pronounce, even if the spelling can look a bit intimidating.
Both words mean that something is disgusting. You can use them in many different contexts. One example:
- Je n’aime pas ce plat, il est dégueulasse – I do not like this dish, it is disgusting.
21. Le boulot
- Je vais aller au travail – I am going to work.
Going to work is a common phrase that they teach you in the classroom. You can also say “Le boulot.”
- Je vais aller au boulot – I am going to work.
22. J’ai la dalle
“J’ai faim” is yet another phrase that we learn early on in our studies. Now you can add “avoir la dalle” to that list.
- J’ai la dalle – I am hungry.
23. Reuch
“Reuch” means “expensive.”
- Je ne vais pas acheter ce collier, il est trop reuch – I am not going to buy this necklace, it is too expensive.
When can I use slang words?
As with all languages, it’s a matter of context. I have intentionally avoided slang words that are inappropriate. I would therefore say that you could use these words and expressions without getting yourself in trouble 😊.
It should also be noted that we tend to use a more formal language at work and when we are in contact with people we do no not know well. In French, there are many ways to be more formal. One example is the possibility to use “vous” instead of “tu” when referring to a single person.
My own perspective
I would like to share an interesting insight that I have made. For the first years of my studies I used to watch a YouTube channel that focused on the French spoken in everyday life.
The owner of the channel was critical of the classic textbooks and the way they teach French in the classroom. He said that it is almost impossible to become fluent without incorporating slang words and expressions in your vocabulary.
He also said that many teachers do not realize how much slang they use in everyday life. Despite this, they are reluctant to teach this part of the language.
At the time, I did not have enough experience to have my own opinion. Now I know that he was right. It is very difficult, almost impossible, to understand TV shows, movies, and music if you do not start learning slang.
I was frustrated that I did not understand the majority of words and phrases when I started watching films on a weekly basis. At this point I had finished my first semester of French at the university, in addition to having studied on my own for more than three years.
I have reiterated the importance of understanding films and series in this article several times. I have done so with a purpose – to encourage you to consume more French media. This version of the language is at the end of the day crucial for understanding and mastering the daily vocabulary.
I have also tried to find studies on how much of the language that is represented by informal expressions. I have yet to find a reliable source. So, as for now, you should take my word for it 😊.
