Salut ! Bien ou bien ? So today, we’re going to learn a few street French expressions. Aujourd’hui, on va apprendre quelques expressions du français de tous les jours. Now since I don’t really like long intros, let’s start right away! Vous êtes prêts ? C’est parti !
Street French Expressions
Learning a few street French expressions can be useful if you ever visit France and have to be in a group setting (or even in a simple conversation with a native French speaker!).
Take note that I use or hear all the following expressions on a daily basis (or almost!).
Bien ou bien ?
Attention: It’s not an expression I personally use, and I wouldn’t advise using it either!
Example:
– Salut Louis, bien ou bien ?
– Écoute, ça va et toi ?
Ça me prend la tête
When “quelque chose prend la tête” (something “takes the head”), “quelqu’un prend la tête” (someone “takes the head”)it means we’re annoyed by said thing/person.
Examples:
Je n’ai pas envie de parler du travail, ça me prend trop la tête.
(I don’t want to talk about work, it’s bothering me too much)
Cette histoire de voiture lui prend trop la tête.
(This car thing is getting on his nerves)
If you’re wondering if you should use a direct or indirect object pronoun, it’s actually indirect (pronom COI):
… me prend la tête
… te prend la tête
… lui prend la tête
… nous prend la tête
… vous prend la tête
… leur prend la tête
Variation: Ça me prend le chou.
C’est chaud.
Examples:
Pour un étranger, apprendre le français, c’est chaud.
(For a foreigner, learning French is hard)
Je ne sais pas s’il va réussir à se garer sur cette place… c’est chaud !
(I don’t know if he’ll be able to park in that spot… it’s too risky!)
Ça craint
Who uses this? Mostly young people or millenials.
Example:
Je me suis encore fait punir par mes parents. Ça craint !
(I got grounded again by my parents. This sucks!)
C’est abusé
Who uses this? Mostly young people.
This street French expression can be used to express your feeling when something is beyond reasonable, is not normal, is exaggerated.
Example:
Arthur arrive tous les jours en retard, c’est abusé.
(Arthur is late everyday, it’s ridiculous)
Se taper des barres
Who uses this? Mostly young people.
To have a really good laugh.
Don’t forget to conjugate!
Example:
Hier soir on s’est tapé des barres devant le film !
(Last night we had a blast watching the movie!)
Variation: Se taper des barres de rire.
Avoir affaire à quelqu’un
Who uses this? Almost everyone.
To negotiate, to deal with someone in a situation of competition or conflict.
Example:
Si un cambrioleur s’approche de la maison, il aura affaire à moi!
(If a burglar comes near the house, he will have to deal with me!)
Y aller mollo
Who uses this? Almost everyone.
To go slowly, without hurrying. Use this expression if you want to say “to take it easy”.
Examples:
Il y va mollo avec sa belle-mère.
(He’s taking it easy on his mother-in-law)
Vas-y mollo avec le sel ! Il y en a assez.
(Take it easy on the salt! There’s enough of it)
Street French Expressions – Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed today’s quick lesson on some street French expressions to master, and that you’ll be able to show off your new street French vocab! If you want more content like this, feel free to visit the Learn To French blog right here!
