What is French slang anyway?
French slang, or argot, consists of informal words and expressions used in everyday speech. It’s prevalent in casual conversations, media, and online platforms.
But don’t worry — we’ve got your back.
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So… you wanna sound French?
Forget what your textbook told you.
Real French is messy, fast, and full of weird little words no one taught you in class.
That’s slang. And yes, you need it.
Why is it important to learn French slang?
Because people don’t say “bonjour, je voudrais manger” — they say “salut, on bouffe quoi ?”
If you want to understand movies, jokes, or your French friends, slang is your best friend.
Good news: you’re about to learn the essentials.
Arabic words in French slang
Some of the most popular slang words in French come from Arabic.Why?
Because France has a long history of immigration from North Africa.
In cities like Paris and Marseille, Arabic and French have blended for decades.
Now, Arabic origin words are part of everyday speech even for people who don’t speak Arabic.
Examples:
- Kiffer = to love (from kif, meaning pleasure)
- Taffer = to work (possibly from tafa)
- Zarbi = weird (verlan of bizarre, with an Arabic rhythm)
Slang tells a story. This one is about culture and identity.
Want to sound native right from “hello”? Learn how French people greet each other here.
And what about verlan?
Verlan is a form of French slang where syllables of words are reversed. It’s commonly used among younger speakers.
Femme becomes meuf, fou becomes ouf, lourd becomes relou.
It started as secret street talk. Now it’s everywhere—from rap lyrics to talk shows.
Fun fact: Argentine Spanish has something similar. It’s called vesre.
They flip syllables too: café becomes feca, hotel becomes telo.
22 French slang words you’ll hear all the time
Wanna go deeper?
We made a little something for you:
- Download our free Slang List
- A mini quiz to test your street-French powers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common French slang words?
Words like mec (guy), meuf (girl), bouffer (eat), kiffer (love), and relou (annoying) are widely used in everyday conversations.
Why is slang important in learning French?
French slang helps you understand native speakers in real situations — conversations, social media, shows, and songs. It makes your French sound more natural and modern.
Is French slang hard to learn?
Not if you focus on the slang people actually say. Start with the most common 20–30 words and listen for them in movies, YouTube, or native conversations.
