French swear words French swear words are called “gros mots” – big words – and they’re sometimes a tricky thing to master. In Québec French, swear words can be combined into more powerful combinations to express extreme anger or disgust. French swear words: Cultural context and common words Jul 28, 2024 · What is a famous French cuss word? One of the most famous French swear words is “merde”, which literally means “sh*t. Jun 20, 2022 · French terms whose tone (rather than the meaning) is offensive to polite company. French Swear Words: Thomas from https://www. 35 French Swear Words. Merde (Maird) This In Québec French, swear words can be combined into more powerful combinations to express extreme anger or disgust. Given the importance of insults in daily life, and given the lack of general availability of Old French insults to modern English speakers, her is a list of Apr 5, 2023 · 🇫🇷 Get to know the world of French swear words 🤬 - be able to let off some steam even when speaking a foreign language. <p>Lock up your daughters and look out for your boss, because we’re about to learn some seriously juicy French curse words up in here. Here’s the ultimate guide to French swearing, ranked from strongest to weakest. Treat them like you would English swear words. So much that English speakers use the phrase “pardon my French” before swearing. It’s from the Latin word “putidus,” meaning “rotten” or Oct 17, 2024 · Exploring a Lesser-Known Swear Word: We’ll break down a lesser-known but widely used swear word in French, discussing its meanings and the appropriate contexts for its use. However, of those listed above, putain de bordel de merde is pretty shocking. While it’s incredibly common in spoken French, it’s still a swear word and sometimes can be used to make other insults even more harsh. I don’t give a sh_t mild; Je m’en fous: I don’t give a f_ck medium; Va te faire foutre The French, not unlike their English-speaking friends, use quite a lot of swear words. What’s your favorite way to swear in French? May 9, 2022 · That said, while the French rarely censor swear words, they are overall a very polite culture. May 18, 2022 · Pages in category "French swear words" The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total. Regarding “Ta mère” it can be sometimes interpreted as a “shut up”. ” 26. French swear words are some of the most colorful words you'll The differences between French from France and French from Canada are mainly in pronunciation. Fermer ta gueule French profanity is elegant yet cutting, expressive yet precise—a true reflection of the culture. Insults are nothing to joke about, and French people aren’t usually as freewheeling with them as some of us might be in English. Aug 7, 2012 · I’ve been studying French for more than twenty years, but the one thing that none of my teachers ever shared were great French swear words. I’ll also give examples as well as provide some background and the literal meanings. Sometimes these words are perfectly acceptable. >>Check out some of our Paris resident’s essential French swear words, too. “Zut,” a milder curse, is akin to “darn” in English. It’s so common that it’s almost become a part of everyday conversation in France. Cultural Insights and Acceptability: Understand the cultural nuances that influence how these curse words in French are perceived and used. francaisimmersion. I’ve had some expert help from a UN translator on this, so you can rest assured they’re accurate. This expression is a toned-down version of the insult “sacredieu”, which literally means to alter/desecrate God, and was therefore considered for many years as 15K Likes, 1275 Comments. Learn more words like these with your copy of Colloquial French. In Quebec French, gros colon doesn’t refer to a protruding internal organ (spelled côlon), but rather a settler or Aug 4, 2023 · Ah, the colorful world of Quebecois curse words – a unique and vibrant aspect of the Quebecois culture that sets it apart from other French-speaking regions. Enjoy! Apr 14, 2021 · This is a French swear word ruder than the previous one even if there is a word in common. This, therefore, reflects the significance of these words. But some Canadian French words and expressions are local specialties. [2] These intricate uses of French profanities can be difficult to master. tɛ̃/. Discussions can easily get into an argument, and then you have those that bring swearing into it. These are just some of the French swear words that equal with the English “d*ck” or “penis. My favorite french swear words are: merde, putain, connard, et des conneries. Gros colon. The French are never shy to express their emotions or thoughts on something, and you’ll notice that their swearing tends to fall in line with this. Whether it’s venting about Parisian traffic, losing at pétanque, or just spicing up a conversation, French swear words are a linguistic delight. Feb 28, 2017 · It’s very common. ” 27. There is a “Mama joke” culture in the French culture, probably only with the Caucasian French people. The combinations are endless; some people in both Quebec and francophone communities in other provinces consider mixing and matching swear words to be a I also like to throw in extra words for emphasis like “C’est vraiment des conneries!” (That is REALLY bullshit). Like most things in French, the rule with insults is usually: only say it if you mean it. The combinations are endless; some people in both Quebec and francophone communities in other provinces consider mixing and matching swear words to be a Nov 10, 2017 · The strange origins of six French curse words The Local France - news@thelocal. While French swear words are almost always related to sex or sexual behaviours. In French, profanities serve as colorful expressions of emotion, reflecting the complexity of human interaction and the nuances of everyday life. If you want to learn the swear words and more extreme type of insults that your formal French teacher is never going to teach you in class, then this is the page for you. French swear words don't denote only anger or frustration, but are used to express a whole range of expressions, from surprise to sadness, excitement or even pure joy. tabarnak which literally means tabernacle is basically equivalent to the ‘F’ word in English). How often do French speakers swear? About the same amount as the average English speaker. May 14, 2022 · According to the Larousse definition (important French dictionary), sacrebleu is a French swear word used to indicate impatience, astonishment or anger, depending on the situation. I’ve heard a lot of French swear words in movies and television as well. frenchmornings. Level 1 French curse words: Swear words that are somewhat acceptable for use around selected people. As for Canadian French swear words, you will notice that they mainly refer to Christian rites or objects. “Putain de merde” shows how French layer their curses, which isn’t as common in English. Mar 6, 2025 · 1. “Hostie,” on the other hand, is derived from May 24, 2024 · We’re going to explore “putain” and “merde,” two swear words in French that are sure to ring a bell if you’ve spent any time on social media watching humorous language learning videos. Salut ! I hate vulgarity! So it took me a long time before I decide to publish a video about this topic: French swear words. They are used to express anger or frustration, and are not a part of polite language by any means . May 20, 2025 · Swear words in French aren't just vulgarities; they're cultural expressions deeply embedded in everyday language. Notice “foutre” can be reflexive “se foutre” – and please forgive the vulgar expressions but all these are very common, and you will come across them in movies etc… Jun 20, 2022 · While these two words are pronounced “pou-tine” or “poo-tine”, the two syllables of the French swear word are different. The use of “shit” is then a metaphorical way to designate something pejorative, bad, and/or uninteresting. French English Equivalent Literal Meaning Vulgarity Level; Je m’en fiche. 1. In essence, it’s a profanity that derives its power from its connection to the Catholic Church. ” It's used in all kinds of situations—frustration, surprise, or even just for dramatic effect. I’ve seen “putain” translated as “f*ck” in French movies and TV shows a lot. It goes without saying that the following jurons (French swear words) should only be used in rare cases. They’re part of French culture - in the same way that English has its swear words as well. frenchmor Oct 13, 2023 · “Tabarnak” (or its variants) is a Quebecois French swear word. While swearing may not always be polite, it’s undeniably a part of everyday language in Quebec. Category:French swear words: French terms that are used to swear, such as to express strong anger or frustration. . Then “Merde !” and “Putain !” are the most common French curse words. If we refer to the international phonetic alphabet, the official phonetic writing of “putain” is /py. Profanity is language that is generally considered by certain parts of a culture to be strongly impolite, rude, or offensive. Most French swear words come from just a few base words; if those can be Nov 22, 2024 · In France, describing a word as gros does not refer to its size or length but rather to how much offence it might cause. Learn French swear words, insults and curse words that French people use all the time. Blaireau Dec 23, 2021 · The vulgar French word for “sperm” or “cum,” “foutre” is also used as a verb which means “f*ck. Putain. #swearing #french #languagelearning”. Rated R, I advise you to proceed with caution! French may be a beautiful language, but French people are not afraid to be unfriendly. This book is different in that it presents an organized, precise system that will enable you to swear using words that are actually used. French swear words also draw from history and culture. 2. Discover how to swear in French with trigger words and insults. In today's article, we'll share 19 of our favorite French swear words and rate them based on 3 profanity levels. g. Jun 14, 2022 · However, the word is much more commonly used as a swear word. Like it or not, bad or swear words are an important part of every day conversation and so with that in mind, I want to share with you my ten favorite French swear words and phrases. You may have your own colorful expletives. Many Quebecers won’t condone the use of this next swear word. What’s also interesting is that the action of swearing or using slang curse words in Quebec is literally labelled se consacrer “to consecrate”, and some of the words used by French speakers to swear include religious phrases (e. ” “Va te faire foutre” in this sense means “go and get f*cked. Jun 5, 2023 · Twenty-two French insults that you should think many times first before using. For example, “Oh là là!” in French can express many feelings, unlike the straightforward words in English. com If you want to sound like a French native and have a full grasp of French, understanding French curse words is key. Profanity in the French language, socially offensive language. Swear words are an essential component of any language, offering a window into its culture, history, and social dynamics. Examples: ️ Il a marché dans une merde de chien. But when said in a certain way or context, they are extremely harsh, disrespectful and rude. Which one is your favorite? Share with us in the comments! If you want to learn more offensive words, why not check out this list of French curse words? This article will tell you how to swear in French. Because of this, some more modern English words descend from Old French insults, for instance a variant of pautonnier became poltroon, and felon became a word associated with criminals. As as expletive it means “sh*t!” or “dammit!”. Va te faire enculer is also very vulgar and should not be used in most social situations, unless you mean to cause offense or you are very good friends with the recipient of Apr 27, 2021 · 📝 Transcription disponible ici : https://www. When learning different languages, not all of them will address swear words but French teachers often do it. ” It’s often used as an exclamation of frustration, similar to yelling “dammit!” in English. Or those who govern the general populace. Jan 15, 2024 · Fudge!→ “F” word; Let’s explore some French minced oaths used by adults and children that replace “Putain” and “Merde,” two of France’s most commonly used swear words. As we delve into these popular swear words in French, remember the cultural depth and emotional weight they carry in the French language. Jan 30, 2021 · I will say that I have taken several different languages in school, and French was the only one where the teachers taught you the French swear words. There are many French swear words, but some are more useful than others due either to their popularity or their versatility. Funnily enough, the word describes an old-fashioned shaving brush. It can show a debasement of someone or something, or be considered as an expression of strong feeling towards something. This comprehensive guide explores the meanings, usage, and cultural context of French swear words, helping you navigate and understand this exciting aspect of the French language. It’s easy to take foreign swear words lightly because they don’t evoke the same reaction in you as they would in a native speaker. How to curse in French: Just do it! While studying French curse words, go over each term many times. TikTok video from Alisa Bilingual Mom/Teacher (@multilingual_nest): “Learn the most common French swear words and curse phrases in this informative video. See full list on languatalk. As you step into the French languag Jan 17, 2025 · Today’s lesson examines the fun and super useful French swear word bordel. It is then closer to “pu-tin”. I’m sure it’s similar to the way Americans use our slang and swear words. A note of warning: If you’re visiting France and would like to leave […]</p> Jul 29, 2023 · Interestingly, the use of religious words as curses is not limited to “tabarnak. Especially if you regularly swear in your native language. Mar 9, 2023 · As the French love to swear, it is tough to come up with the most vulgar French curse word. Below is a mixture of 35 swear words and extreme insults in French, all translated and presented alphabetically from French to English. Some of it can be pretty offensive. In this video, you'll learn how to say bad words in French. So, buckle up and get ready to diveContinue Reading Aug 29, 2022 · The French swear words listed here are divided into two levels. This tells me that they are indeed very important to French culture. The French swear words "saloud” and “salope" are equivalent to the English words "bastard" and "bitch," respectively. Merde means Shit; Putain is a French cuss word that’s been around since the 11th century. What is the most common French swear word? Ans: “Merde” is probably the most widely used and versatile swear word in French, similar to “shit” in English. com teaches swearing words and curse words in French! Learn French slang BUT PLEASE DO NOT SAY Nov 11, 2013 · Quebec swear words, or in French sacres, are pretty much just words that go against the establishment; adjectives, verbs, and nouns deemed inappropriate by the general population. Mar 25, 2010 · Other books are humorous but of little practical value when it comes to actually understanding and mastering swearing in French. I have compiled a list of important French swear words that you can try out on your next Jan 29, 2024 · This guide to French cursing is split into two sections: French curse words, and French curse phrases. See my list of British Slang, Irish Slang, silly Australian Expressions, Spanish Swear Words, Russian Swear Words and German Swear Words! More amusing things to do in France – drink some Pschitt Lemonade , say hi to the dead in Pere Lachaise Cemetery , gorge yourself at Chocolate Festivals , gatecrash the Tour De France , see if the Paris Jun 13, 2024 · French swear words, or “les gros mots,” are colorful, creative, and deeply ingrained in the culture. ” Other words like “sacrebleu” and “hostie” are also employed as swear words in French. You don’t usually say them to insult someone but when you face an unexpected (and Mar 14, 2025 · Traditional French equivalents: crétin, trou du cul, trou de balle, gogol / mongol (historically used, but not anymore!) 3. Zob / Pine / Queue / Bite / Nœud. For each, I’ll tell you the meaning and give a vulgarity rating. The word is derived from “tabernacle,” which in the Catholic faith is the sacred vessel that contains the consecrated host, representing the body of Christ. Un gros mot actually means a swear word. Meanwhile, some are more useful than others because of their flexibility or popularity. fr Published: 10 Nov, 2017 CET. So, those are my favorite French swear words and cusses. The language of Molière features an abundance of insulting profanities for expressing anger or frustration, but swear words are also often used to punctuate informal conversation. Feb 26, 2025 · Objectively the best French swear word and one of the many reasons to learn French a blaireau is literally a “badger”. 12. May 11, 2018 · French Swear Words. Now let's get to the meat of the post. In English, the French swear word can be translated as “shit” or “crap” or “fuck” depending on the situation. “Sacrebleu” is a contraction of “sacré Dieu” (sacred God) and is used to express surprise or exasperation. The following French insults are fighting words, and will definitely add fuel to the flames. Mar 12, 2025 · Liaisons: An Introduction to French 3rd Edition • ISBN: 9781337905848 Bill VanPatten, Stacey Weber-Feve, Wynne Wong Mar 1, 2020 · 1. List of French curse words: Single-word curse words in French: Sep 1, 2021 · 17 French Swear Expressions With the French Verb Foutre Here are a few uses of the verb “foutre”. Aug 29, 2022 · The French swear words listed here are divided into two levels. 10 must-know curse words in French. com/frenchswearwords🥐 Suivez French Mornings sur les réseaux : SITE WEB : https://www. Why should I learn French swear words? Ans: While it’s not advisable to use swear words excessively, understanding them can help you comprehend French culture and media better. As a masculine noun it translates literally to brothel and also means mess or pigsty. Putain is the Swiss Army knife of French swear words, meaning “damn” or “fuck. While the word's primary meaning would be 'hooker', putain is, to some French people, more of a punctuation sign than a swear word. Used colloquially, it’s an insult expressing that someone is a jerk, a moron and an imbecile at the same time. With this in mind, I’ve put this guide together on some of the most frequently used French swear words. This is basically the counterpart of the English Jan 22, 2021 · If you've set a goal of sounding like a French native speaker, learning swear words can also help you feel more yourself. In France, swearing is common. You can, however, use these jokingly among your good friends. gay rusgr szgtf tkzi yoiyqhd omfp cdrad gyajsl jtocis sedbgm