10 Funny French Argot Spoken Among Francophones

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What is French Argot?

What’s up, folks? Y’all interested in taking a deep dive into the wacky and wonderful world of French argot? Well then, you’ve come to the right place! French argot is the informal language spoken among French speakers. It’s the native language of Francophones — those who speak French as their mother tongue. French slang has been around since at least the 18th century and is used throughout France as well as in other francophone countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, and Eastern Africa.

By learning French argot, you can gain insight into the culture and people of French-speaking countries. This makes it an invaluable tool for communication and understanding. But that’s not all – stay tuned to learn why it’s important to understand French argot!

Why is it important to Understand French Argot?

First off, understanding French argot helps you get a better grasp on the culture and people of francophone countries. If you’re conversing with a native speaker from Cote d’Ivoire or Central African Republic, or even among diaspora communities around the world, having a handle on this language will give you an edge in understanding what they’re saying.

Second, if you want to fit in with your Francophone homies then French slang is essential. This is ’cause slang can show where someone comes from and how they identify themselves—it’s like an insider badge that lets in only those who have the code. Plus, it can make conversations more interesting and funny!

Finally, French argot can give you a better handle on basic grammar rules as well as pronunciation rules since many of its words are borrowed from other languages. Think of it as training your ear to speak French better and faster.

In short: understanding French argot can do wonders for all aspects of life for any Francophone out there! So don’t shy away from learning it – dive right into its world full of wit and humor!

Examples of Common French Slang

To begin with, there’s “ça roule” which literally means “it rolls” but is a way to say everything is cool. Then there is “fais gaffe” which means be careful or watch out for something. Another expression could be “c’est pas pire” which means it’s not so bad. Or how about “avoir la flemme” meaning being too lazy to do something.
Next up we have the ever popular phrase “j’ai la dalle” that everyone knows as meaning I’m hungry. And if you need to express surprise you can say “sans déconner?” or really?

Plus if someone is being annoying and it feels like they are talking too much, then just tell them to stop with the classic expression of “t’arrêtes de parler!”
And finally, if someone says something that makes no sense at all then don’t hesitate to throw them a side-eye and respond with the phrase “t’es sérieux là?” or are you serious right now?

So, there you have it – a few of the most popular and useful French slang expressions to get you started. Now go out and show the world your cool side! And if someone throws a curveball your way, just respond with T’es fou? – Are you Crazy? Find out what that means in the next section!

T’es fou? – Are you Crazy?

Yup, that’s right. ‘T’es fou?’ is the go-to French phrase if somebody does something that makes no sense at all. It’s like saying ‘are you crazy?’ and is sure to get a reaction, whether they laugh it off or take offense. It’s really just a way of expressing surprise, disbelief, or sometimes even admiration. However although its a fairly common expression, make sure you dont say it too agressively, French people will not find it funny 😛

C’est nul – That’s Lame!

When you hear someone say something lame, ‘C’est nul!’ is the perfect response. It translates to ‘That’s lame!’ and implies that what was said or done wasn’t cool at all. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from disapproving of someone’s outfit to being unimpressed with their performance on a test. French spoken in a way that’s both funny and polite – now that’s impressive!

Ça craint – It Sucks!

When something sucks, you gotta say it. And the French expression for that is ‘Ça craint!’ It’s the perfect phrase to use when you’re trying to express your dissatisfaction with a situation.

It can also be used in everyday conversation to describe a situation that’s not ideal. For example, if it’s raining and you don’t want to go outside then ‘Ça craint!’ is the perfect phrase for expressing your displeasure.

Quoi de neuf ? – What’s Up?

Quoi de neuf? What’s up?

It’s the perfect phrase to use when you want to know what’s goin’ on. Whether it’s with your friends, family, colleagues…it doesn’t matter! Quoi de neuf? is the way to go.

This expression is super versatile and can be used in any situation. Need to find out what happened at a party last night? Quoi de neuf? Want to know if anyone has seen your favourite pair of sneakers that you left at the mall? Quoi de neuf? Need to know if there’s a new movie out this weekend? You already know what to say!’

Péter un câble – To Lose It/Go Crazy

If you’ve ever been around a French speaker, chances are you’ve heard the phrase ‘péter un câble’. Literally translated as ‘to blow up a cable’, this phrase means to lose it or go crazy.

In some cases, the phrase can even be used affectionately when someone is overly excited about something. For example, if one of your friends just won tickets to the hottest concert in town, they might joke that they’re about to péter un câble from all the excitement!

Faire la tête – To Give Someone the Silent Treatment

Ahh, faire la tête. We’ve all been there. Your best friend not showing up to your birthday party: elle m’a fait la tete! Or your crush not texting you back. Giving someone the silent treatment is a go-to tactic when you’re feeling mad and don’t know what else to do.

Also known as ‘faire la tête’ in French, this phrase translates literally to ‘to make the face’, but it’s commonly used to describe when someone gives someone else the cold shoulder by refusing to talk or look at them.

Laisse tomber – Forget About It/Never Mind

Laisse tomber, you know? It’s like one of those phrases that everyone says at least once a day. Whether it’s your friend telling you to forget about a date that didn’t go well or your mom telling you to let go of a fight with your brother, this phrase is used in all kinds of situations. Basically- forget about it and move on dude!

In French, the phrase “laisse tomber” translates literally to “let it drop”, but it’s usually used informally and implies that whatever it is that you’re worrying about isn’t worth your time anymore.

Tu me prends pour qui ? – Who do You Think I Am?

Tu me prends pour qui ? It’s a phrase that every Francophone has heard at least once in their lifetime. Whether it’s your best friend telling you off for not following through on something they asked or your colleague giving you an ultimatum, this phrase is usually uttered when someone feels disrespected or taken advantage of.

Faire les 400 coups – To Make Mischief

Faire les 400 coups is a French phrase that means “to make mischief” or “to get into trouble.” This phrase has been around since at least the 18th century, when it was used to refer to young people who were always getting into some kind of trouble or causing a ruckus. Nowadays, it’s still used in much the same way – to describe someone who is always up to no good and looking for ways to stir up trouble.

Choper – To Catch or Grab Something

Choper is a French slang term that means to catch or grab something. It’s commonly used by French speakers in their everyday conversations, and it’s perfect for describing all kinds of situations where you need to get your hands on something quickly and effectively.

For example, if you see your friend about to miss out on a great deal at the mall, you could yell “Chope ça!” (“Grab that!”). Or if someone tries to steal your spot in line at the bank, you might reply with “Tu ne peux pas choper ma place!” (“You can’t grab my spot!”).

Choper is also useful when describing people who take advantage of opportunities as soon as they arise. For instance, when someone grabs any chance they get to show off their talents or skills, they can be referred to as un(e) chopeur(-euse), meaning “a fast-grabber” or “opportunist”.

Origins of French Slang

The origins of French slang date all the way back to the 18th century, when it was first used by lower-class citizens in Paris. Since then, it’s been adopted by people from all walks of life and has become an integral part of the French language.

One example is “bouger les lignes” which literally translates to “move the lines,” but colloquially means to innovate or challenge accepted norms. This expression originated in West Africa during colonial times, when people would draw imaginary lines in the sand to mark off their territories – something they had to do often since borders kept shifting around them.

Another popular phrase is “se faire la malle,” which roughly translates as “make a break for it.” This expression has its roots in 19th century France, where it was used by thieves and other petty criminals who would make a run for it after committing a crime.

Language Influences from Other Cultures and Languages in the evolution of French Argot

It’s no secret that French slang has been heavily influenced by a variety of other cultures and languages. From West African countries to Caribbean islands, Francophones have adopted terms from all over the world and made them their own. Take the expression “se faire la malle,” which comes from the 19th century French-speaking world. It literally translates as “make a break for it.” It was used by thieves and other criminals who would make a run for it after committing a crime. Then there’s “bouger les lignes,” . This one originated in West Africa during colonial times, and means to innovate or challenge accepted norms.

It’s not just French slang that reflects this diversity either. In Eastern Africa, for example, Swahili is a commonly spoken language – but it doesn’t follow the same grammatical rules as French does. This means that even when people speak the same language, they might use different words or expressions depending on where they’re from.

And let’s not forget about Côte d’Ivoire, where French is considered an official language. This blend of languages brings unique cultural nuances to conversations among Francophones across sub-Saharan Africa – adding yet another layer of complexity to France’s already fascinating linguistic landscape.

At the end of the day, these diverse influences are what make speaking French so exciting! So why not find out what you can learn from other cultures today!

Check out our blog on 15 GIGGLE WORTHY FRENCH IDIOMS TO ADD TO YOUR FRENCH LANGUAGE REPERTOIRE! 20 VERLAN TO MAKE YOU A TRUE FRENCH SPEAKER!

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