Slang

1. un pote

   Mate / Buddy

   Usage

   Used all over France for a friend, warmer than "un ami". For talk with people your own age — say "un ami" or "un collègue" at work

2. un mec

   Guy

   Usage

   Casual French for a man. Not an insult, but it is for talking about someone, not for addressing them. In context it can also mean "boyfriend"

3. une meuf

   Girl / Woman

   Usage

   Verlan — the French habit of flipping syllables — from "femme". Only between friends your own age; say "une femme" with elders or at work. Not used in Quebec

4. le boulot

   Job / Work

   Usage

   Everyday French for work. The saying "métro, boulot, dodo" — commute, work, sleep — sums up city life. Fine in small talk, but write "le travail" on a CV

5. bosser

   To work

   Usage

   The casual verb for working, understood everywhere in France. Keep it for friends and say "travailler" with clients or elders

6. la thune

   Cash / Dough

   Usage

   Casual French for money; "le fric" works the same way. Fine when splitting a bill with friends, but say "l'argent" at a bank

7. sympa

   Nice

   Usage

   Short for "sympathique" — an all-purpose compliment for people, places and food alike. Harmless and safe with anyone, right across the French-speaking world

8. nickel

   Perfect

   Usage

   From the metal's shine, meaning spotless and by extension just right. Saying "c'est nickel" back to a shop assistant is perfectly polite. Widely used in France

9. Ça marche

   Works for me

   Usage

   Literally "that walks". The most natural way to agree to a plan, and fine with staff and friends alike, across the French-speaking world

10. grave

    Totally

    Usage

    Its literal meaning is "serious". In youth slang it is both an intensifier and an emphatic "exactly". For friends your own age, never in formal speech

11. carrément

    Absolutely

    Usage

    An emphatic yes. Softer than "grave" and acceptable even with someone older. Understood across the French-speaking world

12. avoir la flemme

    Can't be bothered

    Usage

    "J'ai la flemme" is "I cannot face it". It describes your own state, so it is safe with friends and acquaintances, and it works for turning down an invitation — though not at work

13. être crevé

    Shattered

    Usage

    Literally "punctured". "Je suis crevé(e)" is "I'm shattered" — fine with friends or a guesthouse host, but say "je suis fatigué(e)" in formal settings

14. kiffer

    To love / To enjoy

    Usage

    From Arabic and now firmly part of French youth slang: "je kiffe ce plat" — I love this dish. For friends your own age, and not used in Quebec

15. un truc de ouf

    Something insane

    Usage

    "Ouf" is verlan for "fou" (mad). It expresses awe as much as shock. For friends your own age — say "incroyable" in formal settings

16. C'est relou

    That's a pain

    Usage

    "Relou" is verlan for "lourd" (heavy). Say it about a situation — paperwork, a wait. Aimed at a person ("tu es relou") it is a direct reproach, so avoid that. Mainland French youth slang

17. la bouffe

    Grub / Food

    Usage

    Casual for food: "la bouffe était super". Fine between friends, but to a restaurant's staff it sounds careless — say "la cuisine" there

18. un resto

    Restaurant

    Usage

    The everyday clipping of "restaurant", used across the French-speaking world. Casual but never rude, even with staff

19. ouais

    Yeah

    Usage

    The casual form of "oui". Normal between friends, but use "oui" with staff or anyone older — to some ears it sounds offhand

20. À plus

    See you

    Usage

    Short for "à plus tard", written "A+" in chat. A goodbye for friends your own age — say "au revoir" to staff or elders. Understood everywhere French is spoken

21. Bref

    Anyway

    Usage

    The word for wrapping up a story that has run long. Works in speech and writing, offends no one, and is understood across the French-speaking world

Browse all TravelPhrases languages