How to Swear in French – and How Not to
by Millions of people take French lessons every year and soon discover that their tutors are unwilling or forbidden to teach them the copious amounts of swear words in this marvellously expressive language. This can put people at a real disadvantage when they visit the country and deprives them of one of the real pleasures of acquiring a new language – learning the naughty words. So, here is a quick tutorial – after this you will be able to swear in French quite fluently.
Ferme ta gueule
We will start with something not too offensive. If you want someone to shut up, you simply say ‘tais toi’. Useful if you want to be abrupt but not too offensive but you can step it up a grade. ‘Ferme ta bouche’ is shut your mouth. We are getting there now – a little more insulting but still not really that bad. If you really, positively and absolutely want someone to cease and desist with their inane prattlings then substitute the word ‘bouche’ for ‘geuele’. That replaces the word mouth with, well, snout, the kind that animals have. While it can offend and is often meant to, our first foray in to the wonderful world of French expletives has only just begun. You ain’t seen nothing yet.
Merde
The brown stuff. You will often hear this mumbled by even the most (to the eye) straight laced looking French folk and has (or so we think) lost some of its power to offend over the centuries. It is used in exactly the same way as it is in English so you can drop this in to your conversation as you would if you were in America or the United Kingdom. Depending on the circles in which you turn, you may offend but this is generally unlikely though overuse may receive a few odd looks. And yes, you can call people one as well as refer to it in general – both are quite acceptable in French usage (but potentially not polite society). It must be said though that the French attitude towards swearing is more laid back (I almost wrote Gallic there) than that of Americans. It is not so much the word itself that upsets the French – if it used in the wrong context that is far worse a crime indeed.
Pute! Or Putain!
Liked it
User Comments
I do use those a lot
On February 14, 2010 at 5:44 am
U can actually us “Nique sa mère!” as another way of saying “ça me fais chier”, it is juste more violente.
)
(and we wirte gueule, not geuel
jean-michel
On February 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
I would say:
Oh putain de bordel de merde d’enculé de sa mére de petit trou du cul de mes deux! this is a great article!
Matt
On February 19, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Great article !
I usually have trouble translating swearing from English to French and vice versa, as well as explaining the meaning of these words/sentences…
Now I know where my english speaking friends can find all the amazing knowledge they’ve been looking for !
Although, I have to say “fils de salope” is seldom used, I don’t think I’ve heard it in years. We tend to prefer the shorter “fils de pute”. Lovely
cellou
On February 27, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Excellent article et très bien interprété, mais je n’ai rien appris de nouveau !
Excellent article and so well interpreted, but I learned nothing new !
hahaha !!
Nicolas F : High tech et Geek
On February 28, 2010 at 9:00 am
Excellent
But you say “je m’en fous” (=”I don’t give a shit”) and not “je m’en fou”
Pepper
On March 1, 2010 at 10:38 am
you forgot the most useful expression when… the guy ahead of you doesn’t accelerate as soon as the light goes green, or when you miss the mail and hit your finger with the hammer, etc.
“Putain Bordel de Merde !”
breizh
On March 2, 2010 at 5:33 pm
In “Pschitt” the P is not silent. “Fils de salope” is not or very seldom used. The correct slur is “fils de pute”. “Ferme ta bouche” is NEVER used in French. This is the trademark of English-speakers trying to speak French. The equivalent of “shut your mouth” would be “la ferme !” or sometimes, “ferme-la !”. “La ferme !” must be a Middle French imperative which remained alive because of its frequent occurrence in everyday speech. “La ferme, bordel !” is very usual. It is not meant to insult, but to express strong irritation. “Putain de bordel de merde”, “Saloperie de putain d’Adèle” or “bon sang de bonsoir” are worth knowing too.
Francois Hagnere
On March 15, 2010 at 10:04 am
Qu’en termes polis ces choses-là sont dites! Bravo Rj, that was so funny. Take care, mon pote!
kaviarasankk
On March 15, 2010 at 10:05 am
Wow really so funny
Dr Robert Brignall
On March 15, 2010 at 10:05 am
Marvelous, amusing and richly informative.
Glynis Smy
On March 15, 2010 at 10:05 am
LOL good one RJ!
Diverseblogger
On March 15, 2010 at 10:06 am
Lol what a great read! this has made my day
Anuradha Ramkumar
On March 15, 2010 at 10:06 am
gr8 article. I learnt French for 5 years, but forgot many words as I don’t have anyone to converse with.
John Paul V
On March 15, 2010 at 10:06 am
HAHA nice article!
bailieman
On March 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
When my kids were teenagers on a student exchange, the group spent hours during the day digging up all the swear and dirty words they could think of; a case of in the field experience.,
Peter Cimino
On March 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
Another fabulous piece! Yep..took French way back in high school, but the teachers would never share the good words! LOL! Well done my friend.
sambhafusia
On March 15, 2010 at 10:10 am
nice share..interesting and funny ..thnx for sharing..
thestickman
On March 15, 2010 at 10:22 am
kewl!
Debra.
On May 19, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Hahaha! Great article, RJ!!
Post Comment