HearSayHearSay
How it worksCourse libraryReviewsPricing
How it worksCourse libraryReviewsPricing

This is a daily audio course you can listen to on the go to improve your listening comprehension, practice speaking, and finally understand native speakers – entirely in WhatsApp.

Speak Like a Parisian: Essential French Slang – HearSay

French A2

Master the essential French slang and everyday colloquialisms used by a new generation of Parisians. Practice your listening and speaking on the go to sound less like a tourist and more like a local.

Lessons

  1. Casual Parisian Greetings

    Learn to greet friends and use informal nouns to describe the people around you.

    Vocabulary

    • Quoi de neuf ? (What's up?)
    • Un mec (A guy or boyfriend)
    • Une meuf (A woman or chick)
    • Kiffer (To really like/love)
    • Grave (Seriously, totally, or very)

    Objectives

    • Master social 'argot' for casual greetings
    • Describe people using informal labels
    • Use the adverb grave to emphasize feelings
  2. Making Plans And Agreeing

    Confirm plans with your friends and learn your first Verlan (backwards) word.

    Vocabulary

    • Ça roule (That works / How's it going)
    • T'es bien chaud(e) (You're in a great mood / Down for it)
    • Ouf (Crazy or incredible)
    • Un frérot (Bro / brother)
    • Bref (Anyway / In short)

    Objectives

    • Confirm plans with laid-back expressions
    • Understand Verlan like 'ouf'
    • Categorize acquaintances informally
  3. Navigating The Daily Grind

    Talk about your job and the physical toll of a long workday in the city.

    Vocabulary

    • Le boulot (A job/work)
    • Bosser (To work)
    • Taffer (To work)
    • Être à la bourre (To be running late)
    • Être crevé (To be exhausted/dead tired)

    Objectives

    • Navigate informal terms for professional life
    • Describe physical states of exhaustion
    • Express being in a rush
  4. Talking Money And Struggles

    Express financial struggles and learn how to ask to borrow small things.

    Vocabulary

    • La thune (Money)
    • Une galère (A struggle or nightmare)
    • Taxer (To pinch/borrow)
    • C'est la loose (That's too bad / That sucks)
    • Bah (Well / Um)

    Objectives

    • Navigate informal terms for finances
    • Describe difficult situations or nightmares
    • Use filler words to sound more native
  5. Hanging Out And Eating

    Use colloquial slang to talk about food, eating, and having a blast with friends.

    Vocabulary

    • La bouffe (Food)
    • Bouffer (To eat)
    • S'éclater (To have a blast)
    • C'est trop cool (That's so cool)
    • Pas mal de (Quite a few / A lot of)

    Objectives

    • Use slang for food and eating
    • Express enthusiasm and fun times
    • Quantify objects informally
  6. Describing People With Verlan

    Identify and use 'backwards' French words to describe people's quirks and flaws.

    Vocabulary

    • Relou (Annoying or a pain)
    • Chanmé (Wicked, awesome, or cool)
    • Un bolos (A gullible or naive person)
    • Un mytho (A compulsive liar)
    • Zarbi (Weird or strange)

    Objectives

    • Understand and use Verlan adjectives
    • Describe people's flaws informally
    • Express when something is weird or cool
  7. Family And The Suburbs

    Discuss your home life, family members, and the neighborhoods surrounding Paris.

    Vocabulary

    • Un daron (A father)
    • Une daronne (A mother)
    • Une baraque (A house)
    • Les banlieues (Suburbs)
    • C'est la vie (That's life)

    Objectives

    • Refer to family using street slang
    • Discuss homes and neighborhoods
    • Express acceptance of a situation
  8. Style And Personal Appearances

    Compliment someone's outfit and describe things that are totally out of control.

    Vocabulary

    • Des fringues (Clothes/outfit)
    • Frais / Fraîche (Cool or fresh)
    • Une clope (A cigarette/smoke)
    • De ouf (Out of control / crazy)
    • Un pote (A buddy/friend)

    Objectives

    • Describe personal style and clothes
    • Use intense modifiers for descriptions
    • Refer to friends colloquially
  9. Expressing Frustrations And Anger

    Communicate negative states of mind, panic, and when things just generally suck.

    Vocabulary

    • Le seum (Bitterness or frustration)
    • Péter un plomb (To lose one's temper / blow a fuse)
    • Flipper (To freak out or panic)
    • Ça craint (That sucks / That's risky)
    • C'est nul (That sucks / That's lame)

    Objectives

    • Describe feelings of bitterness and frustration
    • Talk about panic and losing one's temper
    • Express when a situation is risky or lame
  10. Admitting Mistakes And Laziness

    Admit when you've failed at something, or when you just don't have the energy for it.

    Vocabulary

    • Laisse tomber (Forget it / Let it go)
    • Se planter (To fail or make a mistake)
    • Je m'en fous (I don't care)
    • Avoir la flemme (To feel lazy)
    • Un flic (A policeman/cop)

    Objectives

    • Discuss mistakes and failures
    • Communicate feelings of extreme laziness
    • Dismiss a topic entirely
  11. Surprises And Disbelief

    React to shocking news with appropriate French interjections and slang.

    Vocabulary

    • La vache ! (Holy cow!)
    • Sans déconner (No kidding? / Seriously?)
    • Déconner (To joke around or mess around)
    • Chelou (Weird or sketchy)
    • Un truc (A thing)

    Objectives

    • React to news with appropriate surprise
    • Express disbelief in casual conversation
    • Describe sketchy situations using Verlan
  12. Abrupt Departures And Bold Actions

    Learn aggressive slang for telling someone off or making a quick exit.

    Vocabulary

    • Se casser (To leave abruptly)
    • Ta gueule (Shut up)
    • Prends le taureau par les cornes (Take the bull by the horns)
    • Dégager (To clear off or leave)
    • Le bordel (A mess or chaos)

    Objectives

    • Command someone to leave abruptly
    • Use strong dismissive language
    • Encourage bold action using idioms
  13. Managing Time And Relief

    Reassure your friends that there is plenty of time and everything will work out.

    Vocabulary

    • T'es large (You've got plenty of time)
    • Tout est bien qui finit bien (All's well that ends well)
    • Gérer (To manage or handle it)
    • Tranquille (Chill or calm)
    • Au taquet (Ready or hyped up)

    Objectives

    • Reassure someone about running late
    • Conclude stressful situations positively
    • Express readiness and calm
  14. Enjoying The Parisian Nightlife

    Hit the town with your new vocabulary and describe the vibe of a great party.

    Vocabulary

    • Une teuf (A party)
    • Picoler (To drink alcohol)
    • Capter (To understand or get it)
    • Posé (Chill or relaxed)
    • Nickel (Perfect or great)

    Objectives

    • Navigate Parisian social life and parties
    • Describe a relaxed evening atmosphere
    • Confirm understanding informally