France

French Slang for Insults & Complaints

6 French slang terms for insults & complaints, each with its meaning, how it is pronounced and an example of it in use.

Terms for fools, annoyances and things gone wrong. Register matters enormously here — several of these words are affectionate between friends and fighting words between strangers.

chiant

adjective · Vulgar

Deeply annoying; boring to the point of pain. Stronger than relou and rather cruder.

Use with care

embrouille

noun · Informal

Trouble; a falling-out; a messy situation. Chercher les embrouilles is to go looking for a fight.

naze

adjective · Informal

Rubbish; broken; knackered. Of objects that no longer work and of people who are exhausted.

nul

adjective · Colloquial

Rubbish, useless, hopeless. Of things: c'est nul. Of people: je suis nul en maths, 'I'm useless at maths'.

relou

adjective · Informal

Annoying, tiresome, heavy going. Of people and of situations alike.

soûler

verb · Informal

To exasperate; to wear someone down with talk. Tu me soûles — 'you're doing my head in'.