Say It Like a Native: 30 casual French phrases

Learning French from a textbook is a good start. You get the grammar. The structure. The basics. But let’s be honest—real people don’t speak like that. Native speakers use casual, relaxed French phrases every day. If you stick to what the book says, you might sound stiff or even robotic.

That’s why this guide is part of our Upgrade Your French series. We’re here to help you sound more natural. More fluent. More like someone who lives in France, not just studies it.

In this article, you’ll find 30 casual French phrases that people actually say. Swap out the boring stuff. Speak with style. Let’s go!

Greetings and Everyday Talk

1. Comment allez-vous ? → Ça va ? (How are you? → You good?)
   More relaxed. Use it with friends and family.
   
2. Je suis fatigué(e). → Je suis crevé(e) (I’m tired → I’m beat)
   “Crevé(e)” means wiped out or exhausted.
   
3. Je suis content(e). → C’est cool (I’m happy → That’s cool)
   Informal way to say you’re happy or satisfied.
   
4. Merci beaucoup. → Merci bien (Thank you very much → Thanks a lot)
   Still polite, but more casual than “beaucoup”.
   
5. De rien. → Pas de souci (You’re welcome → No worries)
   “Pas de souci” feels more natural and modern.
   

Sharing Opinions or Reactions

6. C’est délicieux. → C’est trop bon ! (It’s delicious → It’s so good!)
   French people rarely say “délicieux” outside restaurants.
   
7. Il fait chaud. → Il crève de chaud ! (It’s hot → It’s boiling!)
   Use this on very hot days.
   
8. Tu es très drôle. → Tu me fais trop rire ! (You’re funny → You make me laugh!)
   This is how friends talk when laughing.
   
9. Je suis désolé(e). → Oups, pardon (I’m sorry → Oops, sorry)
   For small mistakes, keep it simple.
   
10. C’est incroyable ! → C’est ouf ! (It’s incredible → That’s crazy!)
    “Ouf” is slang for “fou” (crazy), used for surprise.
    

Casual Emotional Talk

11. Je suis en colère. → J’en ai marre ! (I’m angry → I’m fed up!)
    When you’re fed up, this is perfect.
    
12. Je ne sais pas. → Chais pas (I don’t know → Dunno)
    Used all the time in fast speech.
    
13. Ce n’est pas possible. → C’est pas possible ! (That’s not possible → No way!)
    Dropping “ne” makes you sound more natural.
    
14. J’ai oublié. → J’ai zappé (I forgot → I spaced out)
    This is very common in daily French.
    
15. J’ai peur. → Je flippe grave (I’m scared → I’m freaking out)
    Means you’re seriously freaking out.
    

At Work or in Daily Life

16. Je suis occupé(e). → Je suis débordé(e) (I’m busy → I’m swamped)
    Say this when you’re overloaded with tasks.
    
17. Je vais partir. → Je me casse (I’m leaving → I’m outta here)
    Used casually when you’re about to leave.
    
18. Je suis énervé(e). → Ça m’énerve grave ! (I’m annoyed → That seriously annoys me!)
    More expressive than just “Je suis énervé(e)”.
    
19. Je comprends. → Je vois ce que tu veux dire (I understand → I see what you mean)
    Sounds more interactive and natural.
    
20. C’est ennuyeux. → C’est relou (It’s boring → That’s lame)
    “Relou” is slang for annoying or boring.
    

Friendly and Social Talk

21. Tu es gentil(le). → T’es trop chou (You’re nice → You’re so sweet)
    Used often when someone is being sweet.
    
22. Je t’aime bien. → Tu me plais (I like you → I have a crush on you)
    More romantic, and used for flirting.
    
23. Tu vas bien ? → Quoi de neuf ? (Are you doing well? → What’s up?)
    A fun way to ask “What’s new?”
    
24. Bonne chance. → Croise les doigts ! (Good luck → Fingers crossed!)
    Like saying “Fingers crossed!”
    
25. C’est correct. → Ça passe (It’s okay → It’ll do)
    Said when something is just okay.
    

Slang and Real Talk

26. Je m’en fiche. → Je m’en fous (I don’t care → I don’t give a damn)
    Be careful—this one’s stronger. Use with friends only.
    
27. Il est bizarre. → Il est chelou (He’s weird → He’s shady)
    “Chelou” is slang for “louche” (weird).
    
28. Il n’y a pas de problème. → Y’a pas de souci (No problem → No worries)
    Faster and friendlier way to say “No problem”.
    
29. Tu plaisantes ? → Tu rigoles ou quoi ? (Are you joking? → Are you kidding me?)
    Used when something sounds hard to believe.
    
30. D’accord. → Ça marche (Alright → That works)
    Means “Okay” or “Sounds good” in a casual tone.

Practice Makes You Fluent

Keep these expressions in a small notebook. Use them in real conversations. You’ll sound smoother and more confident with every try.You don’t need to sound like a textbook.
Book your free session to start learning French phrases with our expert teachers at Albert Learning. Speak real French that people actually use. It’s easier than you think.