# Speak Like a Parisian: Essential French Slang

**Language:** French  
**CEFR Level:** 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.

**Setting:** The bustling streets, trendy cafes, and lively suburbs of Paris. Follow Léo and Chloé as they navigate their careers, relationships, and social adventures using everyday street French.

## 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