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Learn Frenchwith Natives
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B1 Lesson 3 of 3 · Real Spoken French: What Natives Really Say

Familiar words and registers

Boulot, bouffer, un pote, relou: the familiar words you hear every day, a little verlan, and when you can use them.

13 min · 10 activities

In this lesson you will

  • Understand 25 familiar words
  • Recognise verlan
  • Choose the right register
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Lesson summary

The key points to remember, for revision.

  • 1Three registers: soutenu (formal), courant (standard), familier (friends).
  • 2Frequent familiar words: boulot, bosser, bouffer, pote, truc, fric, bagnole, la flemme.
  • 3Verlan turns words around: ouf (fou), relou (lourd), chelou (louche), vénère (énervé).
  • 4Use the standard register at work and in writing; understand the familiar one everywhere.

Key vocabulary

galérerto struggle
grave (adv.)totally (informal)
les fringuesclothes (informal)
se marrerto laugh (informal)
déménagerto move house