10 French Slang Words You Won’t Find in Textbooks

 10 French Slang Words You Won’t Find in Textbooks

Introduction

Learning French from textbooks is great for grammar and formal vocabulary, but if you want to sound like a real French speaker, you need to know slang (argot). Slang is everywhere—in movies, music, and everyday conversations. At Passion Language School, we believe in teaching practical, real-life French, which is why we include modern slang in our best online French language courses.

In this post, we’ll explore 10 trendy French slang words that will help you speak more naturally and impress native speakers. Let’s dive in!

1. Bouffer (To Eat)

Meaning: A casual way to say "to eat" (instead of manger).
Example: On va bouffer une pizza ? ("Wanna grab a pizza?")
Why Learn It? You’ll hear this in casual conversations, especially among friends.

2. Ouf (Crazy/Insane)

Meaning: Comes from fou (crazy) but reversed (verlan slang).
Example: Ce concert était ouf ! ("That concert was insane!")
Why Learn It? Verlan is huge in French youth culture—mastering it makes you sound fluent.

3. Kiffer (To Love/Enjoy)

Meaning: Derived from Arabic, it means "to really like something."
Example: Je kiffe cette série ! ("I love this series!")
Why Learn It? Used widely in social media and casual chats.

4. Taffer (To Work)

Meaning: Informal way to say travailler (to work).
Example: Je taffe jusqu’à 18h. ("I’m working until 6 PM.")
Why Learn It? Common in workplace slang.

5. Relou (Annoying)

Meaning: Verlan for lourd (heavy/annoying).
Example: Mon prof est trop relou. ("My teacher is so annoying.")
Why Learn It? Helps you express frustration like a local.

6. Chanmé (Awesome)

Meaning: Verlan for méchant (literally "mean," but slang for "amazing").
Example: Cette fête était chanmé ! ("This party was awesome!")
Why Learn It? A fun, positive slang term.

7. Se La Péter (To Show Off)

Meaning: To brag or act arrogantly.
Example: Il se la pète avec sa nouvelle voiture. ("He’s showing off his new car.")
Why Learn It? Useful for playful teasing.

8. Avoir la Flemme (To Be Lazy)

Meaning: To not feel like doing something.
Example: J’ai la flemme d’aller au sport. ("I can’t be bothered to go to the gym.")
Why Learn It? A must-know for lazy days!

9. Pécho (To Hook Up/Get Lucky)

Meaning: To kiss or get romantically involved with someone.
Example: Il a pécho hier soir. ("He got lucky last night.")
Why Learn It? Common in youth conversations.

10. Cimer (Thanks)

Meaning: Verlan for merci.
Example: Cimer pour ton aide ! ("Thanks for your help!")
Why Learn It? A trendy way to say thanks.

Why Learning French Slang Matters

While formal French is essential for exams and professional settings, slang helps you connect with native speakers on a deeper level. At Passion Language School, our best online French language courses include real-life dialogues, slang lessons, and cultural tips to make your learning experience dynamic and practical.

How to Practice French Slang

  • Watch French YouTubers & TV shows (Lupin, Dix Pour Cent)

  • Listen to French rap & pop (PNL, Stromae, Aya Nakamura)

  • Chat with native speakers (language exchange apps like Tandem)

Ready to Sound Like a Native French Speaker?

If you loved this list, imagine what you could learn in our best online French language courses! At Passion Language School, we make learning French fun, interactive, and relevant—whether you're at B1, B2, or beyond.

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