Master French Slang: A Guide to 20 Common Expressions (With Meaning)
French slang is an integral part of the French language, and it is important to understand its meaning and usage in order to communicate effectively with native speakers. Here are 20 essential French slang words, along with their meanings, that you need to know:
- “Ça roule” – This phrase means “it’s rolling” and is a common way to say “everything is fine.”
- “Chiant” – This word means “annoying” or “pain in the neck.”
- “C’est bon” – This phrase means “it’s good” and is often used to express agreement or approval.
- “Mec” – This word means “guy” and is a common slang term for a male friend or acquaintance.
- “Nana” – This word means “girl” and is a common slang term for a female friend or acquaintance.
- “Trop cool” – This phrase means “too cool” and is often used to express admiration or excitement.
- “Ça gaze” – This phrase means “it’s going” and is a common way to ask how someone is doing.
- “Kiffer” – This verb means “to like” or “to be into.”
- “La galère” – This phrase means “the struggle” and is used to describe a difficult situation.
- “Se faire larguer” – This phrase means “to be dumped” and is used to describe the end of a romantic relationship.
- “Bouffer” – This verb means “to eat” and is a common slang term for having a meal.
- “Flemme” – This word means “laziness” and is used to describe a lack of motivation.
- “Trop top” – This phrase means “too top” and is often used to express excitement or enthusiasm.
- “Génial” – This word means “awesome” and is a common way to express admiration or approval.
- “Grave” – This word means “totally” or “seriously.”
- “Avoir la patate” – This phrase means “to have energy” and is used to describe feeling full of life.
- “Déconner” – This verb means “to joke” or “to mess around.”
- “Mecque” – This word means “the spot” and is used to describe a popular location or gathering place.
- “Avoir la dalle” – This phrase means “to be starving” and is a common slang term for being hungry.
- “Dégueu” – This word means “gross” or “disgusting.”
By understanding and using these 20 essential French slang words, you will be able to better communicate with native speakers and better integrate into French culture. However, it is important to remember that slang can vary depending on the region and age group, so it is always best to double-check the meaning and usage of a particular word or phrase with a native speaker before using it yourself.