French Slang: Paris Edition
The French you learn in textbooks is not the French you hear on the streets of Paris. Real conversational French is packed with slang, verlan (reversed syllables), and argot (street language) that will leave unprepared learners completely lost. From "meuf" to "grave," this guide decodes the essential French slang you need to understand casual French conversation.
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Verlan — French Backwards Slang
Verlan is uniquely French: you take a word, reverse its syllables, and create new slang. The word verlan itself is "l'envers" (reverse) backwards. Originally from the suburbs of Paris, verlan has become mainstream and is used across all social classes among young people.
Verlan can be applied to almost any French word, but only certain verlan terms have become widely adopted. Using obscure verlan constructions will sound forced. Stick to the established verlan words like meuf, ouf, relou, chelou, and teuf to sound natural.
Common Argot — Street Slang
Beyond verlan, French has a rich tradition of argot (slang) influenced by Arabic, Romani, and African languages. These words are everywhere in casual French conversation, music, and social media.
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Everyday Casual Expressions
These are words and phrases you will hear dozens of times a day in casual French conversation. They are less "street" than argot but still far from textbook French.
French Text and Internet Slang
French texting has its own abbreviation system that you need to decode to understand casual messages:
- Mdr — "mort de rire" (dying of laughter) = French LOL
- Slt — "salut" (hi)
- Tkt — "t'inquiète" (don't worry)
- Jsp — "je sais pas" (I don't know)
- Cv — "ça va" (how's it going)
- Ptdr — "pété de rire" (burst out laughing) = stronger than mdr
Understanding these abbreviations is essential for texting with French friends or following French social media. They are used universally among younger French speakers.
French slang changes fast. Words that were edgy five years ago may already be outdated. Trop as an intensifier ("C'est trop bien!" = "It's so good!") and grave as emphasis ("C'est grave bon" = "It's seriously good") are currently among the most stable and widely used informal expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is verlan in French?
Verlan is a type of French slang where syllables are reversed. The word "verlan" itself is "l'envers" (the reverse) reversed. Common verlan words include meuf (femme/woman), ouf (fou/crazy), relou (lourd/annoying), and teuf (fête/party). It originated in the banlieues (suburbs) and is now mainstream among young French speakers.
Is French slang used in formal situations?
Absolutely not. French has a very strong register distinction between formal and informal language. Using slang in a job interview, with elders, or in professional emails would be considered very inappropriate. Slang is reserved for friends, casual social media, and informal settings.
What does "kiffer" mean in French?
Kiffer means "to really like" or "to love" something. It comes from Arabic (kif = pleasure). Example: "Je kiffe ce film" (I love this movie). It is very commonly used by young French speakers and has become mainstream slang across France.
What does "chelou" mean?
Chelou is the verlan of "louche" (suspicious/sketchy/weird). It is one of the most commonly used slang words among young French people. Example: "C'est chelou, ce truc" (That thing is weird). It can describe anything from a strange situation to a suspicious person.
Do French people really use "grave" as slang?
Yes! Grave is used as an intensifier meaning "seriously" or "totally." "C'est grave bien" means "It's seriously good." "T'es grave" means "You're crazy." It has moved far beyond its original meaning of "serious" and is ubiquitous in casual French speech.