French slang quiz
Want to sound more like a local? How good is your French slang?
Ten bits of slang you’ll hear in every bar, group chat and métro in France. Bet you didn’t learn these in class. Nothing crude, promise.
10 bits of slangbeginner to advancedabout 2 minutesno sign-up
Word for word: “I kif! (borrowed from Arabic)”
So what does it really mean? Tap an answer to start.
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Free pack
The French slang pack
25 words locals really say and textbooks leave out. Each card comes with audio, an example and when it’s safe to say.
- 25 cards
- Beginner to advanced
Free · no card
What’s inside
25 words
- Je kiffe !Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est chaud !Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- J’ai la flemme.Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est chelou.Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- J’ai le seum.Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- Il gère !Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est carré.Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est éclaté au sol.Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est quoi le bail ?Meaning hidden until you get the pack
- C’est une dinguerie !Meaning hidden until you get the pack
French slang quiz
The 10 bits of slang in this quiz
Word for word, they make no sense. Here’s what people in France actually mean by them.
Je kiffe !
BeginnerWord for word: “I kif! (borrowed from Arabic)”
I love it, I’m really into it
Ta nouvelle coupe ? Je kiffe ! Your new haircut? I love it!
With friendsC’est chaud !
BeginnerWord for word: “it’s hot!”
That’s tricky, that’s rough
Finir le dossier pour demain ? C’est chaud. Finishing the file by tomorrow? That’s tricky.
Fine at workJ’ai la flemme.
BeginnerWord for word: “I’ve got the laziness”
I can’t be bothered
Sortir ce soir ? J’ai la flemme. Go out tonight? I can’t be bothered.
With friendsC’est chelou.
IntermediateWord for word: “shady, said backwards”
That’s weird, sketchy
Ce mec nous suit depuis tout à l’heure, c’est chelou. That guy’s been following us for ages, it’s weird.
With friendsJ’ai le seum.
IntermediateWord for word: “I’ve got the venom”
I’m so annoyed, gutted
On a perdu en finale, j’ai le seum. We lost in the final, I’m gutted.
With friendsIl gère !
IntermediateWord for word: “he manages!”
He’s killing it
Il parle quatre langues et il cuisine ? Il gère. He speaks four languages and cooks? He’s killing it.
Fine at workC’est carré.
IntermediateWord for word: “it’s square”
It’s sorted, all good
Les billets, l’hôtel, le train : c’est carré. Tickets, hotel, train: it’s all sorted.
Fine at workC’est éclaté au sol.
AdvancedWord for word: “it’s smashed on the floor”
It’s absolutely rubbish
Le film ? Éclaté au sol, je me suis endormie. The film? Absolutely rubbish, I fell asleep.
With friendsC’est quoi le bail ?
AdvancedWord for word: “what’s the lease?”
What’s the deal? What’s going on?
Tout le monde est parti ? C’est quoi le bail ? Everyone’s gone? What’s going on?
With friendsC’est une dinguerie !
AdvancedWord for word: “it’s a madness!”
That’s insane, incredible
T’as vu son dernier clip ? C’est une dinguerie. Have you seen her new video? It’s insane.
With friends
Questions
Is this slang still used?
Yes. Every word here is in everyday use, and each answer says where it’s safe: fine at work, with friends, or best avoided. A few sound younger than others, and the answer tells you which.
Why does the quiz show a sentence?
Slang changes meaning with context, so each word comes in a real sentence. Pick the translation that fits. The first three are common, the last three need more of an ear.
What do I get if I unlock the 15?
A free deck with all 25 words, added for you when you finish setting up: the 10 from the quiz (the ones you missed first, each with its example), then the 15 new ones. Every card has audio and comes back for review just before you’d forget it.
Will I sound silly using these?
Not if you pick your moment. Every answer says where it’s safe: fine at work, with friends, or best avoided. The quiz sticks to slang adults use every day, not just teenagers.
Is this slang used in Québec too?
Mostly not. This quiz sticks to France. Learning Québec French? There’s a separate Québec quiz with its own set.