11 French Words French People Actually Use that You Should Know – Vol I.

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While French people speak francais, French language learners speak Classroom French. Learned from years of reading “Allons-y!” and speaking with fellow language learners, Classroom French is unmistakably different from francais. To get from Classroom French to  francais, you have to add what’s been missing: those native-speaker phrases, words, and quirks only acquired by growing up with a language. And to do that, you need French people.

Because there aren’t always French people to eavesdrop on, Frenchly has compiled a list of words frequently overheard in the office we share with the French Morning team, which is composed entirely of French people. Every month, we’ll publish a new list of overheard words and their definitions according to the French people saying them. We invite you to leave your thoughts and questions below in the comments section.

1. On se casse(?)

Though the literal translations is “one breaks oneself,” it has two meanings that can be differentiated by voice pitch: with up-talking it means “should we go?”, and with a flat voice it means “let’s go.” In fact, you can respond to a questioning “On se casse?” with a flat-voiced “on se casse” and it makes perfect sense (“Should we go?” “Let’s go.”).

2. J’ai la dalle

This phrase means, “I’m starving,” said in regards to how hungry one is. It’s the less melodramatic alternative to “je meurs de faim” and “je crève de faim” (both, I’m dying of hunger). Note: “Je crève la dalle” (I’m dying of starving) is the most dramatic, intense hungry you can be.

3. Ouf

Three options here. There’s the sound “ouf” which expresses relief. Then there’s the slang word “ouf” (the verlan of “fou”), which has two definitions—crazy foolish, and crazy unbelievable. If a guy is jogging down the middle of a busy highway, you’d say, “il est ouf, ce mec” (this guy is crazy foolish). If a party had great music, great atmosphere, great food, great company, you’d say, “c’était ouf” (it was crazy unbelievable). By Frenchly’s observations, “ouf” meaning crazy unbelievable is often said on an exhale.

4. Bosser

Easy enough, “bosser” is to work. It’s the same as travailler, but more familiar. If you ask a coworker why they came in at noon, they’d respond, “j’ai bossé chez moi” (I worked from home).

5. Bouffer

Another easy one, “bouffer” is to eat. It’s the same as manger, but more familiar.

6. Hop la

First of all, “hop” is pronounced like “up.” Now, “hop la” is a very French interjection with meanings along the lines of “done” and “there you go.” After you finish assembling an IKEA dresser, you can say “hop la” (done). When someone asks you to pass the salt, you can pass it and say “hop la” (there you go). Alternatively, if you jump over something, like a giant puddle on the sidewalk, “hop la!” is an acceptable exclamation.

7. Bref

“Bref” is the kind of thing you say when you’re done telling a story or explaining something. So, you can imply the end of a predictable story by saying, “bref” (you get the idea). You can end a lengthy tirade by saying, “bref” (anyway…). It also can be used like etc.: “Everything went wrong on travel day. There was traffic, the security line was long, I got pulled over at TSA, bref… It looks like I’ll be spending another night in Tallahassee.” “Bref” can go at the beginning of a sentence, but not the beginning of a story.

8. La chèvre

Besides meaning goat or goat cheese, “la chèvre” is “the worst.” If someone is really bad at something or just a fool, call them a chèvre. Before a soccer match against a really bad team, say “ce sont des chèvres” (these guys are the worst), implying that they’re the worst at soccer. Mostly “chèvre” is used in reference to sports, but you can use it for other things.

9. Une nana

“Une nana” is a kind of old-fashioned way to say girl, a bit like “chick.” It doesn’t have negative connotations unless you add them tonally. “Nana” is said in a lot of old timey songs.

10. Bourré(e)

Anyone who read Le Petit Prince learned that “ivre” means drunk, but apparently, no one says that. “Bourré(e)” means drunk. For example, if someone asks you the open bar wedding reception was, you could say, “j’étais bourré.” You could also use “bourré(e)” to say tipsy.

11. C’est où/quoi, ca?

Pretty straight forward, “where is that?” and “what is that?” We added these to the list because French teachers prefer to teach students long phrases like, “qu’est-ce que c’est que ça?” or “où est-ce qu’on peut trouver ça?” In reality, “c’est où, ca?” and “c’est quoi, ça?” will suffice. To sound super French, put a “mais” at the beginning.

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