Learning French brings many opportunities and helps you enjoy a rich, beautiful language. But learners often notice a big difference between formal French (français standard) and slang (argot). Knowing these differences is key to improving communication with native speakers in different situations.
Let us see together the difference between formal and slang, why they are both important and how to balance the two.
What is formal French and why is it important?
Formal French is the language used in schools, at work, official documents, it is the standardized version of a language, mostly used in professional and polite settings.
It follows strict grammatical rules and rich vocabulary, for example:
- Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? (Hello, how are you?)
- Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a coffee, please.)
- Pourriez-vous m’aider ? (Could you help me?)
Formal French is essential for:
Professional environments: Job interviews, business meetings, and academic settings.
Written communication: Emails, essays, and official forms.
Polite interactions: Addressing strangers, elders, or authority figures.
What is Slang in French and how is it used?
Slang is the informal version of French, used to speak casually without paying attention to grammatical rules or being restricted, using various idiomatic expressions, abbreviations and casual phrases. It also shows the changes of culture and creativity of the native speakers through the constant change in words and new abbreviations almost every decade and in every generation.
- Salut, ça va ? (Hi, how’s it going?)
- Je veux un café. (I want a coffee.)
- Tu peux m’aider ? (Can you help me?)
Slang is commonly used in:
Casual conversations: Among friends or peers.
Pop culture: Movies, music, and social media.
Youth language: Modern trends and urban expressions.
Some popular slang expressions include:
- Ouf (crazy or amazing, derived from “fou” spelled backward).
- Boulot (work, instead of “travail”).
- Taf (a job, short for “travail à faire”).
- Mec (guy, instead of “garçon”).
- Meuf (girl, from “femme” spelled backward).
Key differences between formal French and Slang
The main difference we can start with is vocabulary, formal French uses standard words understood universally, meanwhile slang vocabulary depends on many factors such as the region, generation… regional or generational expressions can confuse non-native speakers or French learners.
Other important key factors are grammar and pronunciation, in formal French all syllables are clearly pronounced and follow strict grammar rules, however, slang is often faster and shortened and may ignore grammar in some cases.
Here is an example:
Formal: Je ne sais pas.
Slang: Je sais pas / chais pas.
And the final key is the context, it all depends on the situation and setting you are in. Formal French is more appropriate for professional and polite / respectful situations while slang is used in casual everyday interactions.
Why you should learn Formal French and slang
Learning both slang and formal French is crucial during your learning process, you need to understand the difference to know when to use which. Formal French is necessary and used whether you are applying for a job or writing academic papers, formal is non-negotiable when it comes to professional success! It is also used to demonstrate politeness and cultural awareness, to show respect overall in addition to that it is used for universal understanding, all generations and regions will be able to understand what you want to communicate.
However, slang is equally important, it helps you connect with native speakers in informal settings and integrate yourself in the community, it helps you also to understand the French culture and sense of humor, so knowing it will help you avoid misunderstandings as it is mostly used in French society.
Common mistakes to avoid
When in job interviews do not use “Salut” instead of “Bonjour” it may leave a negative impression, and when talking to friends or in casual conversation in general do not overuse formal French as it is going to sound unnatural or a bit stiff, and finally, misusing slang is very common so here you need to know the difference and where to use certain as they can be offensive in some regions, observe how native speakers use them to avoid any problems.
Tips on how to balance and navigate between slang and formal French
Learn context
Pay attention to the situation
- Use formal for work, at school and polite interactions.
- Use slang with friends, peers and informal settings.
Expand your vocabulary
Learn more vocabulary, practice both formal and slang!
For example:
- Formal: Comment allez-vous ? (How are you?)
- Slang: Ça va ? (What’s up?)
Pay attention to pronunciation
Listen to podcasts, watch youtube videos and movies who use both formal and slang styles.
Interact with native speakers
You can join a community, group or join Albert Learning where you can have sessions with French speakers that will help you understand the difference and communicate better.
Immerse yourself in Pop Culture
The key to having better slang vocabulary is using social media, listening to songs, watching TV shows, and listening to rap music in French…
Exercises to practice slang and formal French
Write in both forms
Create a conversation in formal French then rewrite it using slang. For example:
Formal:
- Avez-vous vu ce film ? (Have you seen this movie?)
- Non, mais il a l’air intéressant. (No, but it looks interesting.)
Slang:
- T’as vu ce film ? (Have you seen this movie?)
- Non, mais il a l’air trop cool. (No, but it looks super cool.)
Watch and compare
Watch news and podcasts for formal French and watch a comedy show or Vlog for slang.
That way you get the best of both worlds, you will be able to recognize both and use them in different settings.
Practice with roleplay
Pretend you are in a job interview for formal French and then pretend you are having a conversation with your friend for slang.
Mastering both formal French and slang is essential for communicating in diverse situations. While formal French provides clear and respectful communication, slang allows you to fit in and immerse yourself through adding cultural depth to your interactions. By learning and understanding the differences between them you will become confident and you will feel more connected to French culture.
Are you reading to learn more about formal French and slang? Practice with our expert trainers and improve your skills! Join Albert Learning today to speak French better!
