Sacrebleu! A Hilarious Guide to French Swear Words

French is widely known as one of the most beautiful spoken languages in the world, but that doesn't mean that vulgar words don't exist. In fact, when you start to learn French, you might be surprised by just how colorful the language can get. Of course, even some of the most commonly used French swear words can sound poetic, but it's important to be careful to understand what they literally mean before you start using them in everyday language. So, whether you’re trying to understand a heated argument on the streets of Paris or just want to sound like a local (without taking it too far), we've got you covered.

27 French Swear Words and Phrases With Their English Equivalent

French curse words can be a fun way to joke around with your friends, but their meanings can change depending on the context and tone. Ideally, while you may sound like a native, calling someone you don't know a "bastard" or talking to them in a vulgar way can be extremely disrespectful and may get you in some sticky situations. So, while we're going to teach you some common French swear words, it's important to be careful about when you use them. When in doubt, either stick to a PG version or ask a native French speaker for some help. In the meantime, here are 27 French swear words ranging from generally acceptable in conversation to extremely vulgar.

1. Putain

Putain is one of the most versatile and widely used swear words in French. While it literally refers to a “whore,” it’s often used to express frustration, anger, or surprise—similar to saying “damn” or "shit" in English. For example, you might hear a French speaker mutter putain when they stub their toe or get stuck in traffic. While it’s extremely common, it’s still a French curse word, so use it carefully—especially around children or in formal settings.

2. Merde

Merde is another classic French swear word that translates to “shit” and works in a pinch for any mildly frustrating situation. Missed your train? Merde! Spilled your coffee? Merde! It’s a relatively mild swear word compared to others on this list and can often slip into everyday language without raising too many eyebrows. However, it’s still not polite, so avoid using it in formal conversations.

3. Bordel

Bordel literally refers to a brothel, but in everyday French slang, it’s used to mean “mess” or “chaos.” If someone exclaims Quel bordel! they’re saying, “What a mess!” It’s often used to describe a disorganized room, a frustrating situation, or even general disorder. While it’s not the most offensive swear word, it’s far from polite, so avoid blurting it out in professional or formal settings.

4. Putain de merde!

This phrase takes putain and merde and combines them into a very satisfying but vulgar exclamation, roughly translating to “fucking shit!” It’s used in moments of extreme frustration or shock, like when something goes completely wrong. For example, missing an important deadline or dropping your phone in water would warrant a passionate Putain de merde! Just be careful where you use it—this one’s not for polite company.

5. Bordel de merde!

This is another colorful combination that amps up bordel with merde. It translates loosely to “For fuck's sake” and is reserved for moments when life feels especially chaotic. Like its counterparts, this phrase is vulgar and best kept among close friends who understand you’re blowing off steam.

6. Putain de bordel de merde!

Here we’ve reached the pinnacle of French swearing. Combining putain, bordel, and merde, this phrase is the ultimate way to let out frustration. It’s the French equivalent of “for fuck's sake... fuck!” While it might sound impressive (or even poetic), this one is extremely vulgar, so use it sparingly and never in formal settings.

7. Nom de dieu de merde

This phrase brings religion into the mix, translating roughly to “holy shit” It’s often used in moments of extreme anger or shock. Still, it’s one to use cautiously since swearing with religious references can offend many people in France.

8. Tas de merde

Literally meaning “pile of shit,” this phrase is a French insult that’s usually directed at someone to say they’re useless or pathetic. Calling someone a tas de merde is quite offensive and would likely escalate an argument rather than diffuse it, so think twice before using it!

9. Cul

Cul simply means “ass” and is used in various contexts, from mild insults to cruder expressions. It’s all about context with this one, so try practicing it with your Tandem partner to test out different situations.

10. Enculé

This word is one of the more vulgar insults in French, often translated as “asshole” but with far cruder origins. It’s not something you want to casually drop into conversation, as it’s quite offensive. Reserve this one for understanding heated arguments rather than participating in them.

11. Mince

Mince is a "family-friendly" alternative to Merde. It’s the French equivalent of saying “darn” instead of “damn.” It’s polite, harmless, and a great option to sound French without offending anyone. However, it's still not necessarily the most beautiful French word, so try spicing up your vocabulary in different ways.

12. Zut

Zut is another mild and polite exclamation, similar to saying “shoot” or “rats” in English. It’s perfect for when you make a small mistake and don’t want to swear—especially if you’re around kids or in polite company. For English speakers learning how to curse in French, this is probably one of the safest options.

13. Garce

Garce is a French insult that translates to “bitch,” but it’s specifically used to describe a woman. It’s not a word to throw around casually, as it’s highly disrespectful.

14. Chatte

While chatte literally means “female cat,” it’s also slang for female anatomy, much like the English word “pussy.” While the literal meaning is innocent, using it in the wrong context will make heads turn for all the wrong reasons.

15. Traînée

This insult is directed at women and roughly translates to “slut” or “tramp.” It’s extremely disrespectful and has no place in casual conversation, so it’s best to avoid it entirely.

16. Bâtard and Bâtarde

These words translate to “bastard” and are used to insult someone’s character. While it’s not as shocking as some other French insults, it’s still offensive and best avoided unless you joke around with close friends. The feminine version is with the "e" at the end.

17. Connard and Connasse

These insults are gendered, with connard referring to men and connasse referring to women. Both words are extremely derogatory, roughly translating to “idiot” or “asshole” in English, but with a sharper edge. You might hear these words shouted in heated arguments or among frustrated drivers in traffic. They’re very vulgar, so it’s best to avoid them unless you’re fluent in French humor and know your audience well.

18. Connerie(s)

The word connerie is the noun form of con (idiot), and it means “nonsense,” “bullshit,” or “a stupid thing.” It’s often used to describe silly mistakes, foolish acts, or lies. For example, Arrête tes conneries! means, “Stop your bullshit!” It’s far less offensive than some of the other swear words on this list, but it’s still informal and should be avoided in professional settings.

19. Dégage

Dégage is the French equivalent of “Get out!” or “Get lost!” It’s a sharp and rude way to tell someone to go away, often used in moments of anger. Depending on the context and tone of voice, this French curse word can also be used to say "Fuck off!" If you ever find yourself in an argument and someone shouts Dégage!, they’re definitely telling you to leave—immediately.

20. Salope and Salaud

These words are harsh insults, with salope directed at women and salaud at men. Both words essentially mean “bastard” or “bitch” and are highly offensive. Calling someone these names can escalate tensions quickly, so steer clear of them unless you’re using them for dramatic effect in a movie scene.

21. Salopard

Salopard is a stronger and nastier version of salaud. It roughly means “bastard” or “scumbag” and is used to insult someone’s character or behavior. It’s not as common as other swear words like putain or merde, but when it’s used, it’s always in a very negative context.

22. Saloperie

This word refers to something dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant. It’s often used to describe an object or situation, like Quelle saloperie! which translates to “What a disgusting mess!” It can also be used figuratively to refer to something worthless or poorly done.

23. Niquer

This vulgar word is the French equivalent of “to fuck” and is extremely offensive. While it’s often used in French insult phrases like nique ta mère (an insult similar to “fuck your mother”), this word is highly aggressive and should be avoided altogether unless you’re in a context where strong language is acceptable—like understanding the lyrics of certain French rap songs.

24. Va te faire foutre

This phrase is the French equivalent of “Go fuck yourself!” and is about as vulgar as it sounds. It’s the kind of French insult you’ll hear in the heat of a shouting match or in French movies during a dramatic confrontation. Use it with extreme caution, as it’s very offensive, rude, and not something you want to say to a stranger.

25. Je m’en fous

Je m’en fous means “I don’t care” or “I couldn’t care less.” It's similar to saying "I don't give a fuck" in English. While it’s not necessarily the most vulgar, it’s very informal and can come across as dismissive or rude, depending on the tone. If you want to express indifference in a more polite way, Je m’en fiche is a softer alternative.

26. Je m’en fiche

The more polite cousin of je m’en fous, this phrase still means “I don’t care,” but it’s far less likely to offend someone. You can use it in casual conversation without coming across as rude, making it a safer option when you want to express indifference.

27. Fils de pute

This insult translates to “son of a bitch” and is considered highly offensive in French. It’s a strong phrase often used in anger or frustration, and it’s best avoided in most situations. Using it could escalate an argument or cause serious offense, so think twice before shouting it in the streets of Paris.

Want to Start Using French Swear Words Like a Native?

Learning some commonly used French curse words and their translations can be fun and help you speak French like a native. But let’s be honest—you probably don’t want to start using a ton of bad words in public or around someone you don't know. French is a language of elegance and charm, so it’s important to use your newfound knowledge with a bit of care. If you want to perfect your pronunciation of French swear words (just for fun, of course), it’s best to practice with someone who won't take them by surprise or disappointment. 

That’s where Tandem comes in. You don’t need to hop on a plane to France to start chatting with native speakers. Tandem connects you with native French speakers for a personalized language-learning experience—so you can improve your pronunciation, master French grammar, and even get playful with slang and curse words, all while building real conversations. Just sign up, match with a native speaker, and start communicating. Ready to take your French skills to the next level? Sign up for Tandem and start speaking comme un vrai Français today!