Last updated: March 31, 2026.
If you’re planning a trip to France, learning the language, or simply curious about how French people really talk, knowing some slang is a must.
Verlan is one of the most interesting and fun parts of French slang. Here, you’ll learn how verlan works, why people use it, and how you can use it to sound more like a native in casual conversations.
Key Takeaways
- It’s best to use verlan and other slang when you’re with friends or in relaxed, informal situations.
- Verlan is a fun and creative type of French slang where you reverse the syllables in a word.
- Many verlan words are now so common that you can even find them in regular French dictionaries.
- Not all French slang is verlan. There are plenty of other informal words and phrases people use too.
What is Verlan and why does it matter?
Like slang in other languages, French slang has changed over time and comes from many different social, cultural, and historical influences.
A lot of the slang you’ll hear in everyday French comes from verlan, a special kind of wordplay where people switch around the syllables.
The word “verlan” actually comes from flipping the syllables of “l’envers”, which means “reverse”. This playful way of speaking is a big part of how young people talk in France, and it keeps changing as the language changes.
Some verlan words are now so common that they’re included in well-known French dictionaries like Le Petit Robert and Le Petit Larousse.
Some examples:
| Verlan | Standard | English meaning |
| Cimer | Merci | Thank you |
| Meuf | Girlfriend | Woman |
| Zarbi | Bizarre | Weird |
| Pécho | Choper | To date |
| Téma | Mater | To look at |
| Keuf | Flic | Police |
How does Verlan work in French?
To make a verlan word in French, you usually switch the order of the syllables.
For example:
- Merci → Mer-ci → Ci-mer → Cimer
- Fou → F-ou → Ou-f → Ouf
- Louche → Lou-che → Che-lou → Louche
But not every word can be flipped easily, and some verlan words are irregular or have changed over time. You might hear versions that don’t follow the usual rules, so it’s a good idea to learn the most common verlan words.
Essential Verlan words every French speaker uses
Here are some of the most common verlan words you’ll hear in everyday French, especially among young people. Learning these will help you sound more natural and understand informal French more easily.
| Verlan | Meaning | Example |
| Meuf (Femme) | Cop, police officer | C’est ma meuf. She’s my girlfriend. |
| Reum (Mère) | Mom | J’appelle ma reum. I’ll call my mom. |
| Keuf (Flic) | Cop, police officier | Les keufs arrivent. The cops are coming. |
| Relou (Lourd) | Annoying | Ce prof est relou. This teacher is so annoying. |
| Chelou (Louche) | Shady, sketchy, suspicious | Ce type est chelou. That guy is sketchy. |
| Zarbi (Bizzare) | Weird, odd | Cette histoire est zarbi. This story is weird. |
| Teuf (Fête) | Party | On va à une teuf ce soir ? Are we going to a party tonight? |
Popular French slang beyond Verlan
Remember, not all French slang is verlan. Verlan is just slang made by flipping syllables, but there are lots of other informal words and phrases too.
Here are some other common slang words you’ll often hear in everyday French conversations:
| Slang | Meaning | Example |
| Bouquin | Book | Tu as lu ce bouquin? Have you read this book? |
| Bosser | To work | Je dois bosser demain. I have to work tomorrow. |
| Fringues | Clothes | J’adore tes fringues! I love your clothes! |
| Mec | Guy | Ce mec est sympa. This guy is nice. |
| Nana | Girl | Cette nana est géniale. This girl is awesome. |
| Pote | Friend | C’est un de mes potes. He’s one of my friends. |
| Thune | Money | Je n’ai pas de thune. I have no money. |
| Baraque | House | Ils ont une grande baraque. They have a big house. |
| Kiffer | To live | Je kiffe ce film! I love this movie! |
The influence of the Internet
The internet, social media, and messaging apps are now where lots of new slang gets created and shared in France, especially among young people.
For example, MDR (mort de rire) is like LOL in English and means you’re laughing. There are plenty of others too:
- MDR: mort de rire (dying of laughter) is the French equivalent of LOL
- PTDR: pété de rire (bursting with laughter) is even stronger than MDR
- TKT: t’inquiète (don’t worry)
- A+: à plus tard (see you later)
- JPP: j’en peux plus (I can’t take it anymore)
People now use these abbreviations when they talk, not just online. It’s common to hear native French speakers say MDR or TKT in everyday conversations.
How to learn and confidently use Verlan
If you’re an international student, learning and using verlan can be a fun way to connect with others.
Just remember, verlan is mostly for informal situations with friends or people your own age. For example, you might use it when hanging out at a café with classmates, chatting at a party, or joking around in group chats or text messages with friends. It’s common among teenagers and young adults, so you’ll hear it often in schools, universities, and social gatherings.
On the other hand, it’s best not to use verlan in formal settings, with teachers, or at work, since it can seem too casual or even rude. Avoid using it when talking to people you don’t know well, with older adults, or in professional environments.
To improve your pronunciation, try listening to French rap music or watching TV shows on Netflix. These are great ways to hear verlan in action. You can also find YouTube videos or podcasts that explain how to pronounce popular slang and verlan terms. There are plenty of resources you can learn from, and if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve put together a list of recommendations for you.
Want to delve deeper into the nuances of the French language? Visit our Go! Go! France blog.
