informalities

Informal French

Français familier

This index includes a variety of French words, expressions, pronunciations, and grammatical and structures reserved for informal communication.

For an explanation of the difference between informal, familiar, and slang see What is register?

Expressions

Monter en épingle

Let me draw your attention to this lesson on the French idiom monter en épingle.

  informalities 

Moucher – to blow s.o.’s nose, help s.o. blow their nose; (informal) to put someone in their place

Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb moucher.

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Mouiller – to dampen; to water down; (fam) to drag into, mix up in

Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb mouiller.

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Expressions

Mourir moins bête

Learn about the idiomatic French expression mourir moins bête in order to die less stupid.

  informalities 

Expressions

N’importe quoi

This lesson on the French expression n'importe quoi is anything but nonsense.

  informalities 

Expressions

Nature peinture

Find authenticity with this lesson on the French expression nature peinture.

  informalities 

Expressions

Ne m’en veux pas

Stop holding grudges with the idiomatic French expression ne m'en veux pas.

  informalities 

Expressions

Ne pas attacher son chien avec des saucisses

Don't do anything with that string of sausages until you've read this lesson on the French idiom ne pas attacher son chien avec des saucisses.

  informalities 

Expressions

Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste

Why would anyone want to shoot the pianist? Find out in this lesson on the French expression ne tirez pas sur le pianiste.

  informalities 

Niquer (slang) – to have sex (screw, f***); to screw up, f*** up

Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb niquer.

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Vocabulary Lists

No – non, nan, niet…

No. No way, not me, on the contrary ... let's face it, just because we have to be negative sometimes doesn't mean we can't be creative, too. Here are some of the many ways to say no in French.

  informalities • negation • synonyms 

Expressions

Noël malin

Be a savvy shopper with the informal French expression Noël malin.

  informalities 

Grammar Lessons

On – Subject Pronoun

The indefinite French subject pronoun on literally means "one," but is usually translated by an indefinite subject. Agreement with the subject implied by on is optional - at least in theory.

  agreement • B1 - Intermediate French • indefinition • informalities • pronouns 

Expressions

On ne sait jamais

You never know when you might need the French expression on ne sait jamais.

  informalities 

Expressions

On peut se tutoyer ?

When you think it might be acceptable to use tu but you're not quite sure, you can find out with the French expression On peut se tutoyer ?

  informalities • pronouns