Here is the best kept secret of ALL French teachers abroad. Swearing words. Of course, this is the perfect time to send you children away so they don’t learn them faster than you do. 
Warning: I know you might like to use these words to sound “more French” than you already do. Don’t. I’m offering them to you so you are able to spot them, understand them, avoid shameful “faux-pas”.
When I hear foreigners using swearing words in French, it always makes me jump on my seat. It sounds more rude, more weird and more annoying than “authentic”. So, learn them, avoid them.
Here is my top 10:
Merde
It means “sh*t”. It is used a lot.
Putain
It means “f*ck”. It is used a lot.
Chier
It means “sh*t”. It is used in “fais chier”.
Bordel
It means “f*ck”. But a “bordel” is a brothel. Some people use it for “a mess”. I do.
Foutre
In “Va te faire foutre”, it means “Go to hell”. In a very rude way. “J’en ai rien à foutre” means “I don’t give a sh*t”.
Con / Conne / Connard
It means “c*nt”, idiot. It is a very rude word. But sometimes used in a “affective” way: “t’es con…”.
Ta gueule
It means “Sh*t up”, in a rude way. It is the more rude equivalent of “ferme-la”, also vulgar.
Salop / salope
It means “assh*le”. Even if “salope” has also the meaning “whore”.
Enfoiré
It means “assh*le”. Same as “salop”.
Niquer / Enculer
It means “to f*ck”.
I think you got the point: learn them, understand their meaning but don’t try to sound “funny” by using them, please. I trust you!
It was a big decision for me giving you this. But I thought it was my duty to tell you.
If you are looking for familiar phrases you can actually use at home and with friends, there is a full lesson about “Speak at home” in Moving to France.
Take action now: Spot these 10 swearing words in 3 TV programs, movies and radio shows. It is a great way to understand if this program is appropriate for your children. And how French people use the swearing words. Spot them in people’s conversation as well!
Thank you for reading until here. If you found this article useful, share it with your friends!
Géraldine
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