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?

Cartonner – to bind (hardcover book); (informal) to smash into; to do brilliantly

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Expressions

Casser les pieds

Find out what broken feet have to do with boredom and annoyance in this lesson on the informal French expression casser les pieds.

  informalities 

Causer – to cause, bring about; (informal) to talk, chat, gossip

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Expressions

Ce n’est pas la mer à boire

It's not that difficult to learn the French expression ce n'est pas la mer à boire.

  informalities 

Expressions

Ce n’est pas terrible

This lesson on the French expression ce n'est pas terrible isn't bad.

  informalities 

Expressions

Chanter comme une casserole

Don't quit your day job with the idiomatic French expression chanter comme une casserole.

  informalities 

Charrier – to cart, carry (along); (informal) to tease, kid; (familiar) to go too far, overstep

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Current Events

Chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens

Quick, read this lesson on the French expression le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens before you get stuck in a traffic jam.

  informalities 

Chatouiller (informal) – to tickle

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Chauffer – to warm (up), heat (up); (inf) to prepare, cram, train; to annoy; (fam) to flirt, hit on

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Expressions

Chercher des poux

No need to quibble over the meaning of the French expression chercher des poux - just read this lesson.

  informalities 

Chiffonner – to crumple, crease; (inf) to bother, worry

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Choper (informal) – to steal, pinch, nick; to catch

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Cirer – to wax, polish; (inf) to kiss up to

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

  conjugation tables • informalities 

Claquer – to bang; to flap (flag); to crack (whip); to snap, break; (inf) to be great; (fam) to die

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

  conjugation tables • informalities