French · Slang & dialects
Learn French slang — real casual French, not textbook French.
Textbook French and street French are two different languages. LocalLingo teaches the real thing — verlan, dropped 'ne', clipped speech — with a live AI coach that speaks like a Parisian in their twenties, not a Michelin guide.
Why French slang is city-specific
Anyone who's studied French for years and then landed in Paris knows the feeling — nothing sounds like the textbook. Real French drops half its 'ne' negations, swallows vowels, and runs on verlan. LocalLingo's coach speaks that register, not the exam one.
Cities and dialects LocalLingo covers
Sample slang across regions
| Word | Meaning | Region |
|---|---|---|
| ouf | crazy (verlan of fou) | France |
| meuf | woman/girl (verlan of femme) | France |
| grave | totally / really | France |
| chelou | sketchy (verlan of louche) | France |
| kiffer | to love / really like | France |
| peuchère | poor thing | Marseille |
| fada | crazy (affectionate) | Marseille |
| dépanneur | corner store | Québec |
| tabarnak | f*** (sacre) | Québec |
Why the dialect matters
French from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Québec, and West Africa all differ dramatically. In Paris nobody says 'dépanneur'; in Montréal nobody says 'supérette'. Verlan is Parisian; sacres are Québécois. One 'French' teaches you none of these.
Frequently asked questions
Is French slang mostly verlan?
Verlan is the most famous system, but real casual French uses many more shortcuts — dropped 'ne', swallowed 'e', shortened words (resto, appart, restau), and Anglicisms integrated into daily speech.
Can I use Paris slang in Montréal?
Some works, some doesn't. Verlan mostly doesn't translate; Québec has its own slang system. LocalLingo has separate coaches for Paris and Montréal so you learn the right one.
Will I sound rude speaking casual French?
No — casual French is the default in nearly all social contexts once you're past a first meeting. Sounding overly formal actually creates more distance.