LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #1
Phrases Used By Children

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 1
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

jouer à chat play tag phrase

faire dodo to go beddy-bye phrase

cache-cache hide and seek noun masculine

bobo boo boo noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Quand on joue à chat , je per ds t out le J e vais fair e dodo t ôt ce soir .

t emps.
"I am going beddy-bye early
"I always lose when we play tag." tonight."

Ma soeur gagne t out le t emps à Mon bobo me fait mal.

cache-cache.
"My boo boo hurts."
"My sister always wins at hide-and-
seek."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. bobo

Literal translation: "slight injury"

English meaning: "boo boo"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about a small injury, like a scrape or cut, in
baby talk. It is used only with children.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai un bobo à la jambe.

"I have a boo boo on my leg."

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2. Mon bobo me fait mal.
"My boo boo hurts."

2. faire dodo

Literal translation: "make beddy-bye"

English meaning: "to go beddy-bye"

Use this slang expression when you talk about going to sleep. It is baby talk, taking the first
syllable of dormir ("to sleep") repeated twice.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je suis morte, je vais aller faire dodo.

"I'm dead, I'm going beddy-bye."

2. Je vais faire dodo tôt ce soir.

"I am going beddy-bye early tonight."

3. jouer à chat

Literal translation: "play to cat"

English meaning: "play tag"

Use this slang expression when you talk about playing tag.

Sample Sentences:

1. On joue à chat?
"Wanna play tag?"

2. Quand on joue à chat, je perds tout le temps.

"I always lose when we play tag."

4. cache-cache

Literal translation: "hide-hide"

English meaning: "hide and seek"

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Use this slang expression when you talk about the game called "hide and seek".

Sample Sentences:

1. Mes enfants jouent souvent à cache-cache.

"My kids often play hide-and-seek."

2. Ma soeur gagne tout le temps à cache-cache.

"My sister always wins at hide-and-seek."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #2
Words Referring To People

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 2
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

mec dude noun masculine

nana chick noun feminine

meuf chick noun feminine

gamin(e) kid noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

T u connais ce mec? J 'ai r encont r é une nana au bar hier

soir .
"Do you know this guy?"
"I met a chick at the bar last night."

Cet t e meuf est mignonne. Mes amis ont 3 gamins.

"T hat chick is cute." "My friends have 3 kids."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. meuf

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "chick"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a woman.This is verlan which is inverse-
slang. Meuf is femme ("woman") said backwards. It has a very negative connotation.

Sample Sentences:

1. C'est qui cette meuf?

"Who is that chick?"

2. Cette meuf est mignonne.

"That chick is cute."

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2. mec

Literal translation: "guy"

English meaning: "dude"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a male person. It is less formal than homme,
which means "man." It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. C'est un beau mec.

"He is a nice-looking dude."

2. Tu connais ce mec?
"Do you know this guy?"

3. nana

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "chick"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a girl. It is quite an old-fashioned word. It's
mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Cette nana a l'air sympa.

"This chick looks nice."

2. J'ai rencontré une nana au bar hier soir.

"I met a chick at the bar last night."

4. gamin(e)

Literal translation: "kid"

English meaning: "kid"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about children. It can be negative
sometimes.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Les gamins jouent dans le parc.

"The kids are playing in the parc."

2. Mes amis ont 3 gamins.

"My friends have 3 kids."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #3
Expressions Using Words Related
To The Head

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 3
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VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

se creuser la tête rack one's brains phrase

les doigts dans le nez piece of cake phrase

quand les poules auront des

dents when pigs fly phrase

jeter un coup d'oeil to take a quick look phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Il s'inquiét ait à pr opos de son fut ur , Ce quiz ét ait t r op simple, j'ai gagné
et s'est cr eusé la t êt e pour savoir les doigt s dans le nez .
quoi fair e apr ès le lycée.
"T his quiz was too easy. Winning
"He was worried about his future, was a piece of cake."
and racked his brain about what to
do after high school."

J e n'y joue jamais donc je gagner ai au Quelque chose ne va pas avec ma

lot o quand les poules aur ont des voit ur e, t u peux y jet er un coup d'oeil
dent s. s'il t e plaît ?

"I never play so I will win the lottery "Something is wrong with my car.
when pigs fly." Could you please take a quick look
at it?"

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. se creuser la tête

Literal translation: "dig one's head"

English meaning: "rack one's brains"

Use this slang expression when you think really hard about something to try to find an
answer.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Il s'est creusé la tête pendant longtemps mais n'a pas trouvé la réponse.
"He racked his brain for a long time but didn't find the answer."

2. Il s'inquiétait à propos de son futur, et s'est creusé la tête pour savoir quoi faire après
le lycée.
"He was worried about his future, and racked his brain about what to do after high
school."

2. quand les poules auront des dents

Literal translation: "when hens will have teeth"

English meaning: "when pigs fly"

Use this slang expression when you assure sarcastically that something will never happen.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: Tu veux avoir des enfants à quel âge? B: Quand les poules auront des dents!
"A: What age do you want to have kids? B: When pigs fly!"

2. Je n'y joue jamais donc je gagnerai au loto quand les poules auront des dents.
"I never play so I will win the lottery when pigs fly."

3. les doigts dans le nez

Literal translation: "fingers in the nose"

English meaning: "piece of cake"

Use this slang expression when you are confident about something being extremely easy, so
easy that you could do it with only one hand while the other has its fingers in the nose.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: Tu sais coudre? B: Les doigts dans le nez!

"A: Do you know how to sew? B: Piece of cake!"

2. Ce quiz était trop simple, j'ai gagné les doigts dans le nez.
"This quiz was too easy. Winning was a piece of cake."

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4. jeter un coup d'oeil

Literal translation: "throw a shot of the eye"

English meaning: "to take a quick look"

Use this slang expression when you want to check or take a quick look at something quickly.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je ne trouve pas ma bouteille d'eau, je vais jeter un coup d'oeil dans le frigo pour voir
si elle y est.
"I can't find my bottle of water. I will take a quick look in the fridge to see if it is there."

2. Quelque chose ne va pas avec ma voiture, tu peux y jeter un coup d'oeil s'il te plaît?
"Something is wrong with my car. Could you please take a quick look at it?"

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #4
Expressions Using Words Related
To The Body

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 4
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VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

baisser les bras throw in the towel phrase

avoir des fourmis dans les to have pins and needles in

jambes your legs phrase

coûter la peau des fesses cost an arm and a leg phrase

casser les pieds get on someone's nerves phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

J e n'y ar r ivais pas donc j'ai baissé les J e ne peux pas bouger car j'ai des
br as. four mis dans les jambes.

"I couldn't do it so I threw in the "I can't move because I have pins
towel." and needles in my legs."

J 'aimer ais aller à ce concer t mais il Ca me casse les pieds.

coût e la peau des fesses.
"T his is getting on my nerves."
"I would like to go to that concert
but it costs an arm and a leg."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. baisser les bras

Literal translation: "lower the arms"

English meaning: "throw in the towel"

Use this slang expression when you want to say "to give up".

Sample Sentences:

1. Ce n'est pas le moment de baisser les bras!

"Now is not the time to throw in the towel!"

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2. Je n'y arrivais pas donc j'ai baissé les bras.
"I couldn't do it so I threw in the towel."

2. avoir des fourmis dans les jambes

Literal translation: "to have ants in the legs"

English meaning: "to have pins and needles in your legs"

Use this slang expression when you were sitting in a bad position for too long and your limb
falls asleep. For French people, it doesn't feel like pins and needles, but an army of ants that
you have in your legs.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai des fourmis dans les doigts.

"I have pins and needles in my fingers."

2. Je ne peux pas bouger car j'ai des fourmis dans les jambes.
"I can't move because I have pins and needles in my legs."

3. coûter la peau des fesses

Literal translation: "cost the skin of the butt"

English meaning: "cost an arm and a leg"

Use this slang expression when you want to express your surprise about how expensive
something is.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ces chaussettes m'ont coûté la peau des fesses!

"Those socks cost me an arm and a leg!"

2. J'aimerais aller à ce concert mais il coûte la peau des fesses.

"I would like to go to that concert but it costs an arm and a leg."

4. casser les pieds

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Literal translation: "break the feet"

English meaning: "get on someone's nerves"

Use this slang expression when you are annoyed by something or someone.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ma soeur me casse les pieds.

"My sister is getting on my nerves."

2. Ca me casse les pieds.

"This is getting on my nerves."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #5
Expressions Using Words Related
To Animals

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 5
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

to stand somebody
poser un lapin up phrase

avoir une arraignée

au plafond to have a screw loose phrase

avoir d'autres chats

à fouetter have other fish to fry phrase

matou tomcat noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Il s'est fait poser un lapin. C'est moi, ou elle a une ar aignée au

plafond?
"He got stood up."
"Is it me, or does she have a screw
loose?"

L'enfant demande à ses fr èr e et Il a t r ois mat ous.

soeur s de l'aider à fair e ses devoir s
mais ils ont d'aut r es chat s à
"He has three tomcats."
fouet t er .

"T he child asks his siblings to help

him do his homework but they have
other fish to fry."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. poser un lapin

Literal translation: "put a rabbit"

English meaning: "to stand somebody up"

Use this slang expression when you stand someone up, or get stood up.

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Sample Sentences:

1. J'avais rendez-vous avec mon amie mais elle m'a posé un lapin et je l'ai attendue
pendant plus d'une heure.
"I had an appointment with my friend, but she stood me up and I waited over an
hour."

2. Il s'est fait poser un lapin.

"He got stood up."

2. avoir une arraignée au plafond

Literal translation: "have a spider on the ceiling"

English meaning: "to have a screw loose"

Use this slang expression when you want to say that someone is craz y, not all right in the
head.

Sample Sentences:

1. Il a une araignée au plafond.

"He's got a screw loose."

2. C'est moi, ou elle a une araignée au plafond?

"Is it me, or does she have a screw loose?"

3. avoir d'autres chats à fouetter

Literal translation: "have other cats to whip"

English meaning: "have other fish to fry"

Use this slang expression when you want to show that you are busy and have more
important things to do.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: Tu veux faire un jeu de société? B: Pas maintenant, j'ai d'autres chats à fouetter!
"A: Do you want to play a board game? B: Not now, I have other fish to fry!"

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2. L'enfant demande à ses frère et soeurs de l'aider à faire ses devoirs mais ils ont
d'autres chats à fouetter.
"The child asks his siblings to help him do his homework but they have other fish to
fry."

4. matou

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "tomcat"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a male cat.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ce matou est énorme.

"This tomcat is very big."

2. Il a trois matous.
"He has three tomcats."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #6
Expressions Starting With The Verb

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 6
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

être bourré(e) be drunk phrase

être viré(e) to be fired phrase

être mort(e) to be dead phrase

être bouche bée stand gaping phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Cer t aines per sonnes bour r ées Il s'est fait vir er il y a 2 semaines.
r igolent beaucoup.
"He got fired 2 weeks ago."
"Some drunk people laugh a lot."

Son voyage n'ét ait pas r eposant , il Ce qu'il a ent endu l'a laissé bouche
est encor e plus mor t qu'avant . bée.

"His holidays were not relaxing. He "What he heard made him stand
is even more dead than he was with his jaw dropped."
before."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. être bourré(e)

Literal translation: "to be stuffed"

English meaning: "be drunk"

Use this slang expression when you talk about being drunk. This phrase is less formal than
ivre and mostly used with friends or family.

Sample Sentences:

1. Tout le monde était bourré à la soirée d'hier.

"Everyone was drunk at the party last night."

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2. Certaines personnes bourrées rigolent beaucoup.
"Some drunk people laugh a lot."

2. être viré(e)

Literal translation: "to be thrown away"

English meaning: "to be fired"

Use this slang expression when you talk about being fired.

Sample Sentences:

1. Vous êtes viré!

"You're fired!"

2. Il s'est fait virer il y a 2 semaines.

"He got fired 2 weeks ago."

3. être mort(e)

Literal translation: "to be dead"

English meaning: "to be dead"

Use this slang expression when you want to show that you are exhausted.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai travaillé toute la journée, je suis morte.

"I worked all day. I'm dead."

2. Son voyage n'était pas reposant, il est encore plus mort qu'avant.
"His holidays were not relaxing. He is even more dead than he was before."

4. être bouche bée

Literal translation: "to be mouth gaping"

English meaning: "stand gaping"

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Use this slang expression when you talk about being really surprised, so that you can't move
anymore because of shock and stand speechless gaping at the mouth.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle ne s'y attendait pas et était bouchée bée.

"She wasn't expecting it so she stood gaping."

2. Ce qu'il a entendu l'a laissé bouche bée.

"What he heard made him stand with his jaw dropped."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #7
Expressions Starting With The Verb
Avoir

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 7
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

avoir la patate be all fired up phrase

avoir un coup de barre feel tired all of a sudden phrase

avoir le coup de foudre fall in love at first sight phrase

avoir un petit creux feel peckish phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ma nièce a t oujour s la pat at e J 'ai eu un coup de bar r e au t r avail.

pendant les vacances d'ét é.
"I got extremely tired all of a
"My niece is always all fired up sudden at work."
during the summer holidays."

Avez -vous déjà eu le coup de J 'ai un pet it cr eux, je manger ais bien
foudr e? un peu de chocolat .

"Have you ever fallen in love at first "I am feeling peckish. I feel like
sight?" eating some chocolate."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. avoir la patate

Literal translation: "have the potato"

English meaning: "be all fired up"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about someone who is full of energy.

Sample Sentences:

1. Il a la patate aujourd'hui.
"He is all fired up today."

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2. Ma nièce a toujours la patate pendant les vacances d'été.
"My niece is always all fired up during the summer holidays."

2. avoir un coup de barre

Literal translation: "to have a knock of bar."

English meaning: "feel tired all of a sudden"

Use this slang expression when you feel tired all of the sudden for no reason, like getting hit
by a bar and knocked-out.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je ne sais pas pourquoi j'ai un gros coup de barre.

"I don't know why I feel extremely tired all of a sudden."

2. J'ai eu un coup de barre au travail.

"I got extremely tired all of a sudden at work."

3. avoir le coup de foudre

Literal translation: "have the lightning strike"

English meaning: "fall in love at first sight"

Use this slang expression when you talk about love at first sight. In France it is compared to
a lightning strike falling over someone. Be careful not to mix it up with coup de foudre on its
own, which literally means "lightning strike" when there is a big storm.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ils ont eu le coup de foudre.

"They fell in love at first sight."

2. Avez-vous déjà eu le coup de foudre?

"Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?"

4. avoir un petit creux

Literal translation: "to have a little hollow"

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English meaning: "feel peckish"

Use this slang expression when you start to get hungry, as if you had a hollow in your
stomach.

Sample Sentences:

1. Dis-moi quand tu commences à avoir un petit creux, que je commence à préparer le

dîner.
"Tell me when you are feeling peckish, so I can start making dinner."

2. J'ai un petit creux, je mangerais bien un peu de chocolat.

"I am feeling peckish. I feel like eating some chocolate."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #8
Expressions Starting With A
Reflexive Verb

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 8
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

se casser to get out of here phrase

se mettre sur son trente-et-

un to dress to the nines phrase

se tourner les pouces twiddle one's thumbs phrase

se planter get something wrong phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

T u m'éner ves, je me casse! Elle s'est mise sur son t r ent e-et -un
pour la soir ée et avait l'air magnifique
"You annoy me. I am out of here!" dans sa nouvelle r obe.

"She was dressed to the nines for

the party and looked gorgeous in
her new dress."

J 'ai aut r e chose à fair e que de me On s'est plant és de t er minal à

t our ner les pouces. l'aér opor t et on a loupé not r e avion.

"I have other things to do than "We got the terminal wrong at the
twiddling my thumbs." airport and missed our flight."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. se casser

Literal translation: "break oneself"

English meaning: "to get out of here"

Use this slang expression when you are about to leave/get out from your current location. It
is quite a strong word, better to use only with people you are close with.

Sample Sentences:

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1. Après le dîner je me casse, je ne reste pas pour le film.
"After dinner I am out of here, I am not staying for the movie."

2. Tu m'énerves, je me casse!
"You annoy me. I am out of here!"

2. se mettre sur son trente-et-un

Literal translation: "to put oneself on their thirty-one"

English meaning: "to dress to the nines"

Use this slang expression when you talk about dressing up really nicely. This is a very nice
compliment to make to anybody.

Sample Sentences:

1. Tout le monde s'est mis sur son trente-et-un pour le mariage.

"Everyone dressed up for the wedding."

2. Elle s'est mise sur son trente-et-un pour la soirée et avait l'air magnifique dans sa
nouvelle robe.
"She was dressed to the nines for the party and looked gorgeous in her new dress."

3. se tourner les pouces

Literal translation: "to turn one's thumbs."

English meaning: "twiddle one's thumbs"

Use this slang expression when you have nothing to do while waiting for something to
happen, just staying put doing nothing.

Sample Sentences:

1. Arrête de te tourner les pouces et viens m'aider!

"Stop twiddling your thumbs and come help me!"

2. J'ai autre chose à faire que de me tourner les pouces.

"I have other things to do than twiddling my thumbs."

4. se planter

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Literal translation: "plant oneself"

English meaning: "get something wrong"

Use this slang expression when you talk about getting something wrong, or making a
mistake. Be careful not to mix it up with planter by itself, which means "to plant".

Sample Sentences:

1. Il s'est planté de direction du train et est arrivé avec une demi-heure de retard.
"He got the train direction wrong and arrived half an hour late."

2. On s'est plantés de terminal à l'aéroport et on a loupé notre avion.

"We got the terminal wrong at the airport and missed our flight."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #9
Expressions Using Words Related
To Food

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 9
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

raconter des salades spin a yarn, tell a web of lies phrase

compter pour du beurre not count for anything phrase

bouffer to eat, gobble up phrase

tomber dans les pommes to faint phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ar r êt e de r acont er des salades! Ça compt e pour du beur r e.

"Stop lying!" "T his doesn't count for anything."

Il a t out bouffé. A: Qu'est -ce qui s'est passé? B: Elle

est subit ement t ombée dans les
"He gobbled up everything." pommes.

"A: What happened? B: She fainted

suddenly."

Elle t ombe t oujour s dans les pommes quand elle donne son sang.

"She always faints when she gives blood."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. bouffer

Literal translation: "puff up"

English meaning: "to eat, gobble up"

Use this slang expression when you talk about eating. It is a lot less formal than "manger" -
for some people it might even sound vulgar. Only use it with close friends or family.

Sample Sentences:

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1. J'ai bouffé des pâtes ce midi.
"I gobbled up pasta for lunch today."

2. Il a tout bouffé.
"He gobbled up everything."

2. compter pour du beurre

Literal translation: "count for butter"

English meaning: "not count for anything"

Use this slang expression when you want to say that something that doesn't count for
anything.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ce jeu compte pour du beurre, c'est juste pour te montrer comment on y joue.
"This game doesn't count at all. It's just to show you how to play."

2. Ça compte pour du beurre.

"This doesn't count for anything."

3. tomber dans les pommes

Literal translation: "fall into the apples"

English meaning: "faint"

Use this slang expression when you talk about fainting. It is less formal than s'évanouir ("to
faint").

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle n'a rien mangé de la journée et est tombée dans les pommes le soir.
"She didn't eat anything all day and fainted in the evening."

2. A: Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé? B: Elle est subitement tombée dans les pommes.
"A: What happened? B: She fainted suddenly."

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4. raconter des salades

Literal translation: "tell salads"

English meaning: "spin a yarn, tell a web of lies"

Use this slang expression when you talk about telling lies.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle le croit toujours, même quand il raconte des salades.

"She always believes him, even when he spins a yarn."

2. Arrête de raconter des salades!

"Stop lying!"

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #10
Expressions Using Numbers

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 10
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

un de ces quatre one of these days phrase

Un de perdu, dix de There are other fish in the

retrouvés. sea. phrase

jamais deux sans trois things always come in threes phrase

en moins de deux very quickly phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

J e dois aller chez le coiffeur un de A: J e me suis disput ée avec ma

ces quat r e. meilleur e amie et maint enant elle ne
me par le plus. B: Une de per due, dix
"I need to go to the hairdresser's de r et r ouvées.
one of those days."
"A: I had a big fight with my best
friend and now she is not talking to
me anymore. B: T here are other
fish in the sea."

A: J e suis ar r ivé(e) deux fois en r et ar d Il a fini son r epas en moins de deux.

au t r avail cet t e semaine. B: J amais
deux sans t r ois!
"He finished his meal very quickly."

"A: I arrived late at work twice this

week. B: Bad things always come in
threes!"

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. un de ces quatre

Literal translation: "one of these four"

English meaning: "one of these days"

Use this slang expression when you talk about some time in the future without being precise.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Tu veux faire du saut à l'élastique un de ces quatre?

"Do you want to go bungee-jumping one of these days?"

2. Je dois aller chez le coiffeur un de ces quatre.

"I need to go to the hairdresser's one of these days."

2. Un de perdu, dix de retrouvés.

Literal translation: "One lost, ten found."

English meaning: "There are other fish in the sea."

Use this slang expression when you want to encourage someone who lost someone or
something important. This expression is mostly used to cheer someone up after they broke
up with their girlfriend or boyfriend.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: J'ai rompu avec mon petit ami. B: Un de perdu, dix de retrouvés.

"A: I broke up with my boyfriend. B: There are other fish in the sea."

2. A: Je me suis disputée avec ma meilleure amie et maintenant elle ne me parle plus. B:

Une de perdue, dix de retrouvées.
"A: I had a big fight with my best friend and now she is not talking to me anymore.
B: There are other fish in the sea."

3. jamais deux sans trois

Literal translation: "never two without three"

English meaning: "things always come in threes"

Use this slang expression when you notice that something happened twice, and might
occur a third time. This can be used in both a negative as well as in a positive way.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: Je me suis fait deux nouveaux amis récemment. B: Jamais deux sans trois!
"A: I made two new friends recently. B: Good things always come in threes!"

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2. A: Je suis arrivé(e) deux fois en retard au travail cette semaine. B: Jamais deux sans
trois!
"A: I arrived late at work twice this week. B: Bad things always come in threes!"

4. en moins de deux

Literal translation: "in less than two"

English meaning: "very quickly"

Use this slang expression when you want to emphasiz e that an action ended really quickly.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je me suis habillé(e) en moins de deux pour ne pas arriver en retard.

"I dressed up very quickly in order not to arrive late."

2. Il a fini son repas en moins de deux.

"He finished his meal very quickly."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #11
Adjectives Describing Personalities

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 11
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

cinglé(e) nuts, craz y

rigolo funny adjective

radin(e) stingy adjective

relou annoying adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

C'est le per sonnage de BD le plus J 'ai une amie r igolot t e.

cinglé que je connaisse.
"I have a funny friend."
"He is the craziest comic book
character I know."

J e n'ai pas d'amis r adins. T u peux êt r e vr aiment r elou des fois.

"I don't have any stingy friends." "You can be really annoying
sometimes."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. cinglé(e)

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "nuts, craz y"

Use this slang expression when you talk about someone being craz y. It's mostly used with
friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ils sont cinglés.

"They are nuts."

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2. C'est le personnage de BD le plus cinglé que je connaisse.
"He is the craz iest comic book character I know."

2. rigolo

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "funny"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something funny. Rigolo is less formal than
drôle, which has the same meaning. It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. C'est très rigolo.

"That's very funny."

2. J'ai une amie rigolotte.

"I have a funny friend."

3. radin(e)

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "stingy"

Use this slang expression when you talk about someone stingy.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je ne connais personne de plus radin que lui.

"I don't know anyone who is stingier than him."

2. Je n'ai pas d'amis radins.

"I don't have any stingy friends."

4. relou

Literal translation: "-"

English meaning: "annoying"

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Use this slang expression when you find something annoying. Relou is another verlan or
inverse slang of lourd which means "heavy," in the sense that someone is too much or
unpleasant.

Sample Sentences:

1. Il est vraiment relou ce mec!

"That dude is really annoying."

2. Tu peux être vraiment relou des fois.

"You can be really annoying sometimes."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #12
Expressions Related To Work

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 12
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

balle buck (money) noun feminine

bosser to work verb

heures supp overtime noun feminine

suck-up, brown-
lèche-bottes noser noun feminine,masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

T u as 10 balles? Elle bosse t ous les jour s de 9 h à 18 h.

"Do you have 10 bucks?" "She works everyday from 9am to

6pm."

J e ne fais jamais d'heur es supp. J e n'aime pas les lèches-bot t es.

"I never work overtime." "I don't like suck-ups."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. balle

Literal translation: "bullet"

English meaning: "buck (money)"

Use this slang expression when talking about money (instead of Euros). It is quite informal so
you should use it with people you are comfortable with.

Sample Sentences:

1. Cette veste m'a coûté 50 balles.

"This jacket cost me 50 bucks."

2. Tu as 10 balles?
"Do you have 10 bucks?"

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2. bosser

Literal translation: "to slog"

English meaning: "to work"

Use this slang expression when you talk about work. The meaning is the same as travailler
("to work") but a lot less formal.

Sample Sentences:

1. Tu bosses demain?
"Are you working tomorrow?"

2. Elle bosse tous les jours de 9h à 18h.

"She works everyday from 9am to 6pm."

3. heures supp

Literal translation: "hours extra"

English meaning: "overtime"

Use this slang expression when you talk about working overtime. Supp is the abbreviation of
supplémentaire, meaning "extra."

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai fait 3h d'heures supp aujourd'hui.

"I worked 3 hours overtime today."

2. Je ne fais jamais d'heures supp.

"I never work overtime."

4. lèche-bottes

Literal translation: "lick-boots"

English meaning: "suck-up, brown-noser"

Use this slang expression when you speak about a person who flatters others in order to give
a good image of themselves, especially in front of authority or persons who have power. It
has a very negative connotation.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Quel lèche-bottes!
"What a suck-up!"

2. Je n'aime pas les lèches-bottes.

"I don't like suck-ups."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #13
Expressions That Don't Make Any
Sense, Part 1

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 13
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

sécher les cours skip class phrase

chanter comme une

casserole sing off-key phrase

tomber dans le panneau to fall into the trap phrase

faire un tabac to be a hit phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Il n'a jamais séché les cour s de sa vie. Elle chant e comme une casser ole.

"He has never skipped class in his "She sings way off-key."
whole life."

Nous l'avons cr ue, nous sommes Ses nouvelles lunet t es ont fait un
t ombé(e)s dans le panneau. t abac, il est devenu r apidement t r ès
populair e.
"We believed her, and were tricked."
"His new glasses were a hit. He
rapidly became very popular."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. sécher les cours

Literal translation: "dry the classes"

English meaning: "skip class"

Use this slang expression when you talk about skipping class. Back in the day, public
schools had wooden tables with an inkpot in it, which used to dry when people were absent.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle sèche les cours une fois par semaine.

"She skips class once a week."

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2. Il n'a jamais séché les cours de sa vie.
"He has never skipped class in his whole life."

2. chanter comme une casserole

Literal translation: "sing like a saucepan"

English meaning: "sing off-key"

Use this slang expression when you talk about someone who is extremely bad at singing.
The voice is compared to that of a saucepan, which can't sing.

Sample Sentences:

1. Mon père chante comme une casserole.

"My father sings off-key."

2. Elle chante comme une casserole.

"She sings way off-key."

3. tomber dans le panneau

Literal translation: "fall into the board"

English meaning: "to fall into the trap"

Use this slang expression when you successfully play a joke/trick on someone, like on the 1st
of April.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je lui ai fait une blague le premier avril, elle est tombée dans le panneau.
"I played a joke on her on the 1st of April. She fell for it."

2. Nous l'avons crue, nous sommes tombé(e)s dans le panneau.

"We believed her, and were tricked."

4. faire un tabac

Literal translation: "make a tobacco"

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English meaning: "to be a hit"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something that is a major success.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ce film a fait un tabac chez les jeunes.

"This movie was a hit among young people."

2. Ses nouvelles lunettes ont fait un tabac, il est devenu rapidement très populaire.
"His new glasses were a hit. He rapidly became very popular."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #14
Expressions That Don't Make Any
Sense, Part 2

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 14
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

not be out of the woods, not

ne pas être sorti de l'auberge in the clear phrase

ne pas faire long feu not last long phrase

faire la grasse matinée to sleep in phrase

filer à l'anglaise take French leave phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Avec t ous les devoir s à fair e et Son dîner d'anniver sair e n'a pas fait
disser t at ions à r endr e pour la long feu.
semaine pr ochaine, je ne suis pas
sor t i(e) de l'auber ge.
"His birthday dinner didn't last very
long."
"With all the homework and essays
due next week, I'm not out of the
woods."

J 'aime fair e la gr asse mat inée. J e fais la gr asse mat inée t ous les
week-ends.
"I like sleeping in."
"I sleep in every week-end."

J 'ador e fair e la gr asse mat inée. Il s'ennuyait à la fêt e comme il ne

connaissait per sonne et a pr éfér é
"I love to oversleep." filer à l'anglaise.

"He got bored at the party where

he didn't know anyone so he
decided to leave without saying
anything"

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. filer à l'anglaise

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Literal translation: "dash off British style"

English meaning: "take French leave"

Use this slang expression when you talk about leaving in a hurry without saying goodbye,
going away unnoticed. It has a negative connotation.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ils ont filé à l'anglaise.

"They took French leave."

2. Il s'ennuyait à la fête comme il ne connaissait personne et a préféré filer à l'anglaise.

"He got bored at the party where he didn't know anyone so he decided to leave
without saying anything"

2. faire la grasse matinée

Literal translation: "make the fat morning"

English meaning: "to sleep in"

Use this slang expression when you sleep all the time you want, without setting any alarm.
Even if the expression contains matinée (meaning "morning") it also works for very long
sleepers who wake up in the afternoon.

Sample Sentences:

1. Hier je ne devais pas travailler donc j'ai fait la grasse matinée.

"Yesterday I didn't have to work, so I slept in."

2. J'aime faire la grasse matinée.

"I like sleeping in."

3. ne pas être sorti de l'auberge

Literal translation: "not be out of the hostel"

English meaning: "not be out of the woods, not in the clear"

Use this slang expression when you feel like your problems aren't over, you still have a lot to
deal with.

Sample Sentences:

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1. C'est lui qui s'en occupe? Eh ben, on n'est pas sortis de l'auberge...
"He is the one taking care of it? Well, we're not out of the woods..."

2. Avec tous les devoirs à faire et dissertations à rendre pour la semaine prochaine, je ne
suis pas sorti(e) de l'auberge.
"With all the homework and essays due next week, I'm not out of the woods."

4. ne pas faire long feu

Literal translation: "not make long fire"

English meaning: "not last long"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something that doesn't last very long, or
something that ends quickly. It is often used when someone is about to go to bed, to insist
that this person is so tired that she won't make it much longer if she doesn't go to bed asap.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je suis fatiguée, je ne vais pas faire long feu.

"I am tired. I won't last much longer."

2. Son dîner d'anniversaire n'a pas fait long feu.

"His birthday dinner didn't last very long."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #15
Expressions That Don't Make Any
Sense, Part 3

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 15
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

faire gaffe watch out, be careful phrase

le bruit court que rumor has it phrase

il pleut des cordes it's raining cats and dogs phrase

laisser tomber give up phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Fais gaffe à ne pas r enver ser t a Le br uit cour t qu'il va passer ses
boisson. vacances en Fr ance.

"Be careful not to spill your drink." "He is rumoured to spend his
vacation in France."

Il va pleuvoir des cor des t out e la Si je n'ai pas de r éponse d'ici demain,
semaine d'apr ès la mét éo. je laisse t omber .

"According to the weather "If I don't have an answer by

forecast, it's going to be raining tomorrow, I'll drop it."
cats and dogs all week."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. faire gaffe

Literal translation: "to make blunder."

English meaning: "watch out, be careful"

Use this slang expression when you want to ask someone to be careful. This expression has
the same meaning as faire attention. Don't confuse it with faire une gaffe, meaning "to
blunder," which has the opposite meaning.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Fais gaffe!
"Watch out!"

2. Fais gaffe à ne pas renverser ta boisson.

"Be careful not to spill your drink."

2. le bruit court que

Literal translation: "the noise runs that"

English meaning: "rumor has it"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a rumour.

Sample Sentences:

1. Le bruit court qu'elle va se marier.

"She is rumoured to get married."

2. Le bruit court qu'il va passer ses vacances en France.

"He is rumoured to spend his vacation in France."

3. il pleut des cordes

Literal translation: "it's raining ropes"

English meaning: "it's raining cats and dogs"

Use this slang expression when you talk about bad weather, when it's raining heavily.

Sample Sentences:

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1. Le pique-nique est annulé comme il pleut des cordes.
"The picnic is cancelled since it's raining cats and dogs."

2. Il va pleuvoir des cordes toute la semaine d'après la météo.

"According to the weather forecast, it's going to be raining cats and dogs all week."

4. laisser tomber

Literal translation: "to let fall"

English meaning: "give up"

Use this slang expression when you want someone to let go of, or to forget about something.

Sample Sentences:

1. Laisse tomber.
"Forget it."

2. Si je n'ai pas de réponse d'ici demain, je laisse tomber.

"If I don't have an answer by tomorrow, I'll drop it."

FRENCHPOD101.COM FRENCHPOD101.COM 4
LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #16
Words That Replace Nouns, Part 1

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 16
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

ordi computer noun masculine

cigarette, cig, a
clope smoke noun feminine

bouquin book noun masculine

B.D. comic book noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

J e ne sais pas ce que je fer ais sans Il me r est e seulement une clope.
mon or di.
"I have only one smoke left."
"I don't know what I would do
without my computer."

J 'ai empr unt é 3 bouquins à la Les mangas sont des BD japonaises.

bibliot hèque.
"Mangas are Japanese comic
"I borrowed 3 books from the books."
library."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. ordi

Literal translation: "computer"

English meaning: "computer"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a computer. Ordi is an abbreviation of
ordinateur.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Il a toujours son ordi sur lui.

"He always has his computer on him."

2. Je ne sais pas ce que je ferais sans mon ordi.

"I don't know what I would do without my computer."

2. clope

Literal translation: "cig, a smoke"

English meaning: "cigarette, cig, a smoke"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a cigarette. It has the exact same meaning as
"cigarette," but is only used in less formal situations.

Sample Sentences:

1. T'as une clope?

"Do you have a cig?"

2. Il me reste seulement une clope.

"I have only one smoke left."

3. bouquin

Literal translation: "book"

English meaning: "book"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about a book. It has the same meaning as
"book," only less formal.

Sample Sentences:

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1. Ce bouquin est très intéressant.
"This book is very interesting."

2. J'ai emprunté 3 bouquins à la bibliothèque.

"I borrowed 3 books from the library."

4. B.D.

Literal translation: "comic book"

English meaning: "comic book"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a comic book. It's the short form of bande-
dessinée.

Sample Sentences:

1. Quand j'étais enfant, je lisais beaucoup de BD.

"When I was a child, I read many comic books."

2. Les mangas sont des BD japonaises.

"Mangas are Japanese comic books."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #17
Words That Replace Nouns, Part 2

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 17
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

écolo green noun feminine,masculine

bobard lie noun masculine

bagnole car noun feminine

front page of a
la une newspaper noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ce n'est pas t r ès écolo de ne pas Ce bobar d n'est pas t r ès cr édible.

t r ier ses déchet s.
"T his lie is not very believable."
"Not seperating waste isn't very
green."

Elle est à qui cet t e bagnole? Qu'est -ce qui fait la une des jour naux
en ce moment ?
"Whose car is this?"
"What is currently on the front
page of the newspaper?"

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. écolo

Literal translation: "green"

English meaning: "green"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about someone who deeply cares about the
environment. Ecolo is the abbreviated form of écologiste, meaning "environmentalist."

Sample Sentences:

1. Nous sommes tous écolo dans mon quartier.

"We are all green in my neighborhood."

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2. Ce n'est pas très écolo de ne pas trier ses déchets.
"Not seperating waste isn't very green."

2. bobard

Literal translation: "lie"

English meaning: "lie"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a lie. It's less formal than mensonge, which
has the same meaning.

Sample Sentences:

1. Il raconte toujours des bobards.

"He is always telling lies. "

2. Ce bobard n'est pas très crédible.

"This lie is not very believable."

3. bagnole

Literal translation: "car"

English meaning: "car"

Use this slang expression when you talk about a car. It's less formal than voiture, which has
the same meaning. It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Sa nouvelle bagnole est moche.

"His/her new car is ugly."

2. Elle est à qui cette bagnole?

"Whose car is this?"

4. la une

Literal translation: "the (number) one"

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English meaning: "front page of a newspaper"

Use this slang expression when you talk about the front page of a newspaper.

Sample Sentences:

1. C'était tellement impressionnant que ça a fait la une des journaux.

"It was so impressive that it ended up on the front page of the newspaper."

2. Qu'est-ce qui fait la une des journaux en ce moment?

"What is currently on the front page of the newspaper?"

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #18
Verbs About Bad Actions

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 18
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

louper flunk verb

bousiller screw up, wreck verb

péter break verb

balancer throw verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

On a loupé le der nier t r ain. Il a eu un accident , et sa voit ur e est

complèt ement bousillée.
"We missed the last train."
"He had an accident, and his car is
completely screwed up."

Il a pét é son t éléphone. En r ent r ant de l'école, il a balancé

son car t able sur son lit .
"He broke his phone."
"When he came home after school,
he threw his school bag on his
bed."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. louper

Literal translation: "miss"

English meaning: "flunk"

Use this slang expression when you talk about missing, or failing something.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai loupé l'examen de maths.

"I flunked the math exam."

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2. On a loupé le dernier train.
"We missed the last train."

2. bousiller

Literal translation: "ruin"

English meaning: "screw up, wreck"

Use this slang expression when you want to say that something is really ruined. It is quite a
strong word.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai bousillé mes godasses en marchant avec dans la neige.

"I ruined my shoes by walking with them in the snow."

2. Il a eu un accident, et sa voiture est complètement bousillée.

"He had an accident, and his car is completely screwed up."

3. péter

Literal translation: "fart"

English meaning: "break"

Use this slang expression when you talk about breaking something. It is a lot less formal
than casser, which has the same meaning, and is mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai pété la lampe de ma mère.

"I broke my mother's lamp."

2. Il a pété son téléphone.

"He broke his phone."

4. balancer

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Literal translation: "swing"

English meaning: "throw"

Use this slang expression when you talk about throwing something. It can also have different
meanings like "throw out," "to swing," "to weigh up," "not care about something" (when
used as a reflexive verb), "to snitch on" etc...

Sample Sentences:

1. J'ai balancé de vieilles affaires à la poubelle.

"I threw old things out in the trash."

2. En rentrant de l'école, il a balancé son cartable sur son lit.

"When he came home after school, he threw his school bag on his bed."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #19
Verbs Expressing Negative Feelings

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 19
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

gerber puke, throw up verb

schlinguer stink, reek verb

emmerder annoy verb

galérer have a hard time verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Elle ger be t ous les mat ins par ce Il y a beaucoup de gens dans l'espace
qu'elle est enceint e. fumeur , ça schlingue!

"She throws up every morning "T here are many people in the
because she is pregnant." smoking area, it stinks!"

C'est t r ès emmer dant . Il a galér é à t r ouver un st age bien

payé.
"T his is very annoying."
"He had a hard time finding a well-
paid internship."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. gerber

Literal translation: "puke"

English meaning: "puke, throw up"

Use this slang expression when you talk about vomiting. It's a lot less formal than vomir,
which has the same meaning, and might offend people. It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle a gerbé après avoir trop bu.

"She puked after drinking too much."

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2. Elle gerbe tous les matins parce qu'elle est enceinte.
"She throws up every morning because she is pregnant."

2. schlinguer

Literal translation: "stink"

English meaning: "stink, reek"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something smelling very badly. It's less
formal than puer, which has the same meaning, and is mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Les chaussettes de mon frère schlinguent.

"My brother's socks reek."

2. Il y a beaucoup de gens dans l'espace fumeur, ça schlingue!

"There are many people in the smoking area, it stinks!"

3. emmerder

Literal translation: "annoy"

English meaning: "annoy"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about something annoying. When it's used
in the reflexive form, it means to be bored. It's very informal and mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Mon petit frère m'emmerde.

"My little brother is annoying me."

2. C'est très emmerdant.

"This is very annoying."

4. galérer

Literal translation: "have a hard time"

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English meaning: "have a hard time"

Use this slang expression when you want to show that you are struggling doing something.
It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je galère à finir tout ce que j'ai à faire en si peu de temps.

"I have a hard time finishing everything I have to do in so little time."

2. Il a galéré à trouver un stage bien payé.

"He had a hard time finding a well-paid internship."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #20
Words Expressing Positive Feelings

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 20
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

kiffer to like verb

veine luck noun feminine

nickel excellent adjective

mimi cute adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Il kiffe les r obot s. Elle a t out le t emps de la veine.

"He likes robots." "She is always lucky."

J 'ai net t oyé ma cuisine ce mat in, elle Son bébé est t r ès mimi.
est nickel.
"His baby is very cute."
"I cleaned up my kitchen this
morning. It's spotless."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. kiffer

Literal translation: "like"

English meaning: "to like"

Use this slang expression when you "like" something or someone.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je te kiffe.
"I like you."

2. Il kiffe les robots.

"He likes robots."

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2. veine

Literal translation: "vein"

English meaning: "luck"

Use this slang expression when you are talking about luck or being lucky.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ca, c'était pas de veine!

"That was no luck!"

2. Elle a tout le temps de la veine.

"She is always lucky."

3. nickel

Literal translation: "nickel (money)"

English meaning: "excellent"

Use this slang expression when you want to say that something is perfect, or great.

Sample Sentences:

1. A: Je pensais commander des pizzas pour ce soir, ça te va? B: C'est nickel!

"A: I was thinking about ordering piz z a for tonight, if that's ok with you? B: That's
perfect!"

2. J'ai nettoyé ma cuisine ce matin, elle est nickel.

"I cleaned up my kitchen this morning. It's spotless."

4. mimi

Literal translation: "cute"

English meaning: "cute"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something being cute. Mimi is the
abbreviated form of mignon meaning "cute."

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Sample Sentences:

1. C'est trop mimi!

"That's too cute!"

2. Son bébé est très mimi.

"His/her baby is very cute."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #21
Words For Places

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 21
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

Hexagone France noun masculine

piaule bedroom noun feminine

cinoche movie theater noun masculine

Paname Paris proper noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ce fait 3 ans qu'il a quit t é l’Hexagone. Ma piaule est t out e pet it e.

"He left France 3 years ago." "My room is very small."

J e suis allée au cinoche dimanche. J e suis née à Paname.

"I went to the movie theater on "I was born in Paris."

Sunday."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. cinoche

Literal translation: "movie theater"

English meaning: "movie theater"

Use this slang expression when you talk about the movie theater. Cinoche is a cute way of
saying cinéma.

Sample Sentences:

1. Qu'est-ce qui passe au cinoche cette semaine?

"What is there at the movie theater this week?"

2. Je suis allée au cinoche dimanche.

"I went to the movie theater on Sunday."

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2. Hexagone

Literal translation: "hexagon"

English meaning: "France"

Use this slang expression when you talk about France, which is shaped like a hexagon.

Sample Sentences:

1. Quelle partie de l'Hexagone préférez-vous?

"Which part of France do you like best?"

2. Ce fait 3 ans qu'il a quitté l’Hexagone.

"He left France 3 years ago."

3. Paname

Literal translation: "Paris"

English meaning: "Paris"

Use this slang expression when you talk about Paris and its suburbs.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je vais à Paname pour le week-end.

"I'm going to spend the week-end in Paris."

2. Je suis née à Paname.

"I was born in Paris."

4. piaule

Literal translation: "bedroom"

English meaning: "bedroom"

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Use this slang expression when you talk about your bedroom. It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je dois ranger ma piaule.

"I need to tidy my room."

2. Ma piaule est toute petite.

"My room is very small."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #22
Phrases Often Used By Young
People, Part 1

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 22
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

que dalle nothing at all phrase

ouf nuts adjective

histoire de in order to, so that phrase

pile-poil exactly adverb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Il n'a vu que dalle. Il a fait un t r uc de ouf!

"He didn't see anything." "He did something nuts!"

J e fais mes devoir s maint enant , C'est pile-poile ce dont j'ai besoin.
hist oir e de pouvoir pr ofit er de mon
week-end apr ès.
"T his is exactly what I need."

"I do my homework now, so that I

can enjoy my weekend afterwards."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. que dalle

Literal translation: "only slab"

English meaning: "nothing at all"

Use this slang expression when you want to say "nothing at all." It is informal and used
mostly with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Il n'y a que dalle à la tv ce soir.

"There is absolutely nothing on tv tonight."

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2. Il n'a vu que dalle.
"He didn't see anything."

2. ouf

Literal translation: "nuts"

English meaning: "nuts"

Use this slang expression when you find something surprising or shocking. Ouf is verlan for
fou which means "craz y."

Sample Sentences:

1. C'est complètement ouf!

"That's completely nuts!"

2. Il a fait un truc de ouf!

"He did something nuts!"

3. histoire de

Literal translation: "history of"

English meaning: "in order to, so that"

Use this slang expression when you want to add information or a reason when you explain
something.

Sample Sentences:

1. On mange maintenant, histoire de pouvoir partir le plus tôt possible.

"We're gonna eat now, in order to be able to leave asap."

2. Je fais mes devoirs maintenant, histoire de pouvoir profiter de mon week-end après.
"I do my homework now, so that I can enjoy my weekend afterwards."

4. pile-poil

Literal translation: "perfect timing"

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English meaning: "exactly"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something being exactly or just right.

Sample Sentences:

1. Nous sommes toujours pile-poil à l'heure.

"We are always exactly on time."

2. C'est pile-poile ce dont j'ai besoin.

"This is exactly what I need."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #23
Phrases Often Used By Young
People, Part 2

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 23
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass

pioncer snooz e verb

to spend a night out, to

passer une nuit blanche have a sleepless night phrase

piger to get (understand) verb

percuter realiz e verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

J 'ai pioncé t out e la jour née. Quand il fait une insomnie, il passe une
nuit blanche.
"I snoozed all day."
"When he has insomnia, he has a
sleepless night."

Elle est allée danser et a passé une Vous pigez ?

nuit blanche.
"Do you get it?"
"She went dancing and spent the
night out."

Elle est t oujour s la der nièr e à per cut er quand quelqu'un r acont e une blague.

"She is always the last one to understand when someone makes a joke."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. piger

Literal translation: "understand"

English meaning: "to get (understand)"

Use this slang expression when you are surrounded by close people. It is stronger than the
neutral word comprendre ("to understand") and has a negative connotation.

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Sample Sentences:

1. Je n'ai rien pigé à ce qu'il a dit.

"I didn't get anything from what he said."

2. Vous pigez?
"Do you get it?"

2. passer une nuit blanche

Literal translation: "to spend a white night"

English meaning: "stay up all night"

Use this slang expression when you talk about sleepless nights. It can be referring to staying
up late for any number of reasons, but in many cases, it is implied that it is because of having
fun with someone.

Sample Sentences:

1. Nous avons passé une nuit blanche à mon anniversaire.

"We stayed up all night on my birthday."

2. Il a passé trois nuits blanches d'affilée.

"He stayed up all night 3 nights in a row."

3. pioncer

Literal translation: "snooz e"

English meaning: "snooz e"

Use this slang expression when you talk about sleeping. It's less formal than dormir, which
has the same meaning. It's mostly used with friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elle a pioncé directement en rentrant chez elle.

"She immediately snooz ed when she came back home."

2. J'ai pioncé toute la journée.

"I snooz ed all day."

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4. percuter

Literal translation: "collide with"

English meaning: "realiz e"

Use this slang expression when you realiz e or understand something. It's mostly used with
friends.

Sample Sentences:

1. Je viens de percuter!
"I just got it!"

2. Elle est toujours la dernière à percuter quand quelqu'un raconte une blague.
"She is always the last one to understand when someone makes a joke."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #24
Words Often Used In Daily
Conversation

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 24
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

vachement really adverb

machin thingamabob, thingy noun masculine

en fait actually adverb

blague joke noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Elle a vachement de chance J 'ai t r ouvé ce machin par t er r e.

aujour d'hui.
"I found that thing on the floor."
"She is really lucky today."

En fait , je n'ai pas t r ès faim. Cet t e blague ne me fait pas du t out

r ir e.
"Actually, I'm not very hungry."
"T his joke doesn't make me laugh."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. blague

Literal translation: "joke"

English meaning: "joke"

Use this slang expression when you want to talk about jokes. It is less formal than plaisanterie,
which has the same meaning, and shorter, which is why many people use it.

Sample Sentences:

1. Sa blague était très drôle.

"Their joke was very funny."

2. C'était une blague!

"It was a joke!"

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2. vachement

Literal translation: "very"

English meaning: "really"

Use this slang expression when you want to emphasiz e something. It can be both used with
positive or negative words. It is stronger than très ("very").

Sample Sentences:

1. Ce gâteau est vachement bon!

"This cake is really good!"

2. Elle a vachement de chance aujourd'hui.

"She is really lucky today."

3. machin

Literal translation: "thing"

English meaning: "thingamabob, thingy"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something you don't remember what it's
called. It can also be used to replace people when you don't remember their name.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ta réunion de travail avec Machin s'est bien passée?

"Did your business meeting with what's-his/her-name go well?"

2. J'ai trouvé ce machin par terre.

"I found that thing on the floor."

4. en fait

Literal translation: "in fact"

English meaning: "actually"

Use this slang expression when you want to give your honest opinion about something.

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Sample Sentences:

1. En fait, ce n'est pas tout à fait ça.

"Actually, that's not quite it."

2. En fait, je n'ai pas très faim.

"Actually, I'm not very hungry."

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LESSON NOTES

Must-Know French Slang Words &

Phrases S1 #25
Words That Are Rarely Used

CONTENTS
2 Vocabulary
2 Sample Sentences
2 Vocabulary Phrase Usage

# 25
COPYRIGHT © 2016 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VOCABULARY

Fr e nc h English C lass Ge nde r

fiston son noun masculine

easy-peasy, easy as
fastoche pie adjective

jacasser chatter verb

truquer falsify verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ça va fist on? Fair e des cr êpes, c'est fast oche.

"How are you doing son?" "Baking crepes is easy-peasy."

Elles passent t out leur t emps à Les r ésult at s ont ét é t r uqués.

jacasser .
"T he results have been rigged."
"T hey spend all their time
chattering."

VOCABULARY PHRASE USAGE

1. fiston

Literal translation: "son"

English meaning: "son"

Use this slang expression when you talk about your own son.

Sample Sentences:

1. Ecoute bien fiston, il faut que je te dise quelque chose.

"Listen carefully son, I need to tell you something."

2. Ça va fiston?
"How are you doing son?"

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2. fastoche

Literal translation: "easy-peasy"

English meaning: "easy-peasy, easy as pie"

Use this slang expression when you talk about something being very easy. It is a cute way of
saying facile (meaning "easy") by adding -oche at the end like cinoche for cinéma, meaning
"cinema."

Sample Sentences:

1. Mes examens étaient fastoches.

"My exams were easy-peasy."

2. Faire des crêpes, c'est fastoche.

"Baking crepes is easy-peasy."

3. jacasser

Literal translation: "chatter"

English meaning: "chatter"

Use this slang expression when you speak loud, and a lot.

Sample Sentences:

1. Elles jacassent depuis des heures.

"They have been chatting for hours."

2. Elles passent tout leur temps à jacasser.

"They spend all their time chattering."

4. truquer

Literal translation: "falsify"

English meaning: "falsify"

Use this slang expression when you talk about falsifying something.

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Sample Sentences:

1. On dirait une photo truquée.

"It looks like a fake photo."

2. Les résultats ont été truqués.

"The results have been rigged."

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 Introduction
13 Expressions That Don't Make Any Sense, Part 1
1 Phrases Used By Children
14 Expressions That Don't Make Any Sense, Part 2
2 Words Referring To People
15 Expressions That Don't Make Any Sense, Part 3
3 Expressions Using Words Related To The
16 Words That Replace Nouns, Part 1
Head
17 Words That Replace Nouns, Part 2
4 Expressions Using Words Related To The
18 Verbs About Bad Actions
Body
19 Verbs Expressing Negative Feelings
5 Expressions Using Words Related To Animals
20 Words Expressing Positive Feelings
6 Expressions Starting With The Verb Être
21 Words For Places
7 Expressions Starting With The Verb Avoir
22 Phrases Often Used By Young People, Part 1
8 Expressions Starting With A Reflexive Verb
23 Phrases Often Used By Young People, Part 2
9 Expressions Using Words Related To Food
24 Words Often Used In Daily Conversation
10 Expressions Using Numbers
25 Words That Are Rarely Used
11 Adjectives Describing Personalities
12 Expressions Related To Work

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