Spice Up Your Summer: French Slangs You Need to Know Before Your Holidays
July truly shines as a month of vibrant French culture, from the national celebrations of Bastille Day to the thrilling spectacle of the Tour de France. What’s more, as the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, there's no better time to infuse your conversations with a bit of je ne sais quoi.
Yet, mastering French expressions isn't just about vocabulary; it's about connecting with the heart of French culture. It's about understanding the vibe, the nuance, and the shared experiences that make summer in France so unique. Ready to impress your friends and truly embrace the art de vivre? Let's go!
"Ça chauffe!" – More Than Just Hot Weather!
You might think "ça chauffe!" literally means "it's hot!" And while it can refer to the rising temperature, there is more to it than you might expect. In French slang, "ça chauffe!" has two super exciting, and still very different, meanings:
Things are getting heated (in a tense way): Imagine a lively debate or a passionate discussion. If things are escalating, you might hear, "Attention, ça chauffe entre eux!" (Careful, things are getting heated between them!)
The atmosphere is electric (in a fun way!): Picture a buzzing party, a fantastic concert, or a vibrant market. If the energy is high and everyone's having a blast, you'd exclaim, "La soirée était géniale, ça chauffait vraiment!" (The evening was great, it was jumping!)
Get ready for the summer heat in France, both literally and metaphorically.
It might be tricky to tell them apart sometimes. And just like our linguists at Flynde usually say, context is key! Your tone and the situation will tell you which kind of heat is in play.
"C’est l’été quoi!" – Your ultimate vibe check this summer
"C'est l'été" simply means "it's summer," but adding that little word "quoi" at the end is where real magic happens. "Quoi" means what, but it is not necessarily there to make a question. Instead, it is a versatile little gem that adds emphasis, a casual tone, or even a touch of "you know?" or "obviously!". Alternatively (and more imaginatively), été is also the past participle of the verb être (to be). So while this is an exciting exclamation, it also sounds like a question. It is as if it were asking you, “It's summer, what are you waiting for?”
The sun in the French Riviera is just brilliant, again, both literally and metaphorically.
Now, it’s your turn to practise:
"Pas de devoirs, pas de réveil, c'est l'été quoi!" (No homework, no alarm clock, it's summer, you know!)
"On mange des glaces tous les jours, c'est l'été quoi!" (We eat ice cream every day, it's summer, obviously!)
"Prendre un verre en terrasse" – Your new summer ritual
This phrase translates to "to have a drink on the terrace". We all know about the culture of savouring coffee in outdoor seating and enjoying the urban landscape and vibrant lifestyle in the morning. That said, a "terrasse" is more than a fixed location; it is more about where life unfolds – friends gather, conversations flow, and you soak in the vibrant street scene.
Socialising at a café terrasse is such a vibe.
It's the perfect way to unwind:
"On se prendrait bien un verre en terrasse ce soir, non?" (We should have a drink on the terrace tonight, shouldn't we?)
"Après la visite du musée, on a siroté un verre en terrasse." (After visiting the museum, we sipped a drink on the terrace.)
You might notice a "prix en terrasse" (terrace price), which is often a bit higher than "prix au bar" (bar price). It's not a trick; it's simply the value placed on the ambience and service that makes enjoying that outdoor experience enjoyable.
More Summer Slang to Sizzle With
If you want to dive deeper, here are a few more expressions to add to your summer lexicon:
"Se dorer la pilule": Literally "to gild the pill," this means "to sunbathe" or "bask in the sun." The idiom makes tanning much more poetic.
"Faire la grasse matinée" (or "faire la grasse mat'"): This gem means "to sleep in" or "have a lie-in."
"Piquer une tête": If you are in the French Riviera, summer is not summer without swimming. This informal phrase means "to take a dip" or "plunge headfirst into the water."
"Le soleil tape / cogne": When the sun is beating down, and it's scorching hot, the French say the sun "hits" or "punches."
"Avoir la pêche": Feeling great and full of energy? You've "got the peach"! This means feeling fantastic or being in high spirits.
Embrace the French Summer Spirit
Language is one of the many manifestations of culture. In French culture—especially during the summer—it’s all about slowing down, savouring the moment, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. From the juilletistes (July vacationers) to the aoûtiens (August vacationers), the entire country shifts into a more relaxed gear. So, next time you’re enjoying a warm day, try out these phrases—not just to sound more French, but to truly connect with the vibrant, leisurely spirit of a French summer.
About the Author
Bert Nguyen is a Copywriter with Flynde, a global company specializing in translation solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Discover the best-in-class translation solutions for your business. Trusted & certified for all languages with locations in Australia, Singapore, Switzerland & the USA. Flynde takes human translation strategies and uses advanced technologies to deliver them to our customers across our three business lines: Flynde for startups, Flynde for small businesses, and Flynde for corporations.
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