50 Funny French Words

1. Bourdonner: To buzz like a drone. Just like that noisy fly!

2. Brouhaha: A loud, chaotic uproar. Sounds like its meaning!

3. Chouchou: Teacher’s pet or darling. Double the fun, double the charm.

4. Coccinelle: Ladybug. How can you not love this cute insect name?

5. Croquignolet: Cute as a button. Just like a delightful little puppy.

6. Déguingandé: Awkwardly lanky. Think of a tall teen in a growth spurt.

7. Farfelu: Scatterbrained. Your absent-minded professor.

8. Froufrou: Frills or ruffles. Sounds just like fancy clothes!

9. Guignol: Puppet. Also used for someone a bit foolish.

10. Loufoque: Crazy or zany. Describes the class clown perfectly.

11. Machin: Thingamajig. When you can’t think of the word.

12. Mijoter: To simmer something. Usually food—but can be used for plans too!

13. Noeud Papillon: Bow tie. Literally means “butterfly knot.”

14. Ognon: Onion in old French. Not the vegetable, the old-fashioned way to say it!

15. Pantouflard: Homebody. Those who prefer their slippers and couch.

16. Papillon: Butterfly. It’s all in the wings!

17. Patapoufs: Plump, chubby. Often used endearingly for children.

18. Pétiller: To fizz. Bubbles exploding happily in your drink.

19. Pamplemousse: Grapefruit. Bursting with syllables like its juicy insides!

20. Pichenette: A little flick. Playful finger action.

21. Pissenlit: Dandelion. Also amusingly translates to “pee in the bed.”

22. Punaise: Thumbtack. Because the real meaning is a little bug.

23. Rigolo: Funny, amusing. The life of the party.

24. Ronronner: To purr. The sound of a contented kitty.

25. Surveillant: Life guard. The “overseer” of aquatic fun.

26. Saperlipopette: Good gracious! An adorable old-timey exclamation.

27. Titi: Street kid. Like the playful city birds.

28. Tocade: Whim, fancy. When a fun idea takes hold.

29. Tournesol: Sunflower. Literally means “turns towards the sun.”

30. Trémousser: To wiggle or jiggle. Perfect for jello!

31. Truculent: Colorful or lively. Great for describing characters with flare.

32. Verlan: French slang in reverse. Adding playfulness in conversation.

33. Zinzin: Nutty, wacky. For people a little off-beat.

34. Zézayer: To lisp. Sounds just like it, doesn’t it?

35. Boui-boui: A cheap restaurant. Simple and amusing!

36. Crapoter: To puff without inhaling. Like a poser smoker.

37. Gribouiller: To doodle. A fun activity no matter your age.

38. Fada: Crazy. Especially in the South of France.

39. Fripouille: Little rascal. Mischievous but charming.

40. Galipette: Somersault, or a playful tumble.

41. Gourgandine: A saucy flirt. An old-fashioned term, still amusing.

42. Navet: Bad movie. Or simply, a turnip!

43. Peinard: Chilled out. The epitome of laid-back.

44. Quiqui: Lovey-dovey. When things get super sappy.

45. Ratatiner: To shrivel up. Like a prune in the sun.

46. Tintamarre: Din, racket. A very noisy commotion.

47. Zigoto: Oddball. The odd person out in a funny way.

48. Zozoter: To speak with a lisp. Just a little slip of the tongue.

49. Frimousse: Little face. Often refers to the cutie pies.

50. Bidouiller: To tinker. Usually with great enthusiasm and little skill.

Embrace these funny French words, and soon you’ll add a little humor and charm to your French language skills!