Ep61 - French Slang 101 - Mastering Putain & Merde

Moi, c'est Caroline. I used to be a regular French teacher until I decided to ditch the textbook and focus on the essential things that are almost never taught in classes. If all the French you've learnt comes from books, or if you have a hard time understanding spoken French, then it's time to join me here. Bienvenue sur French Blabla, the only place to learn how to speak French like a native.

Hello and welcome back to another episode of the French Blabla podcast. Moi, c'est Caroline, your host. Today, we're about to unwrap two cheeky and somewhat controversial gems from the French linguistic treasure chest. These words are quintessential to French everyday banter, often sparking raised eyebrows and knowing smiles. So we're going to tackle two swear words that I'm sure you know.

If you spent any time on social media, you've probably seen some funny videos about them. But before we jump in, let's pause for a moment to reflect on an interesting linguistic phenomenon. the emotional distance that often exists when using a second language. When we speak a language that isn't our mother tongue, our emotional connection to swear words or insults can be significantly different.

in our native language each word comes with a weight of social and cultural contexts learnt from early childhood but in a second language these words can sometimes feel less potent less charged with emotion which might lead us to use them more liberally than native speakers would this is why it's especially important to tread carefully as much as we might not feel the sting or the warmth of certain words listeners who are native speakers certainly do

So, as we explore these expressions, keep in mind the cultural depth and emotional weight they carry in the French language. Now, with that little disclaimer out of the way, let's embark on our vocabulary journey.

I will also introduce you to our sponsor today later in the episode. Let's start things off with our first famous swear word. I'm sure you know about it since it's all over the internet. i'm talking about putain of course on the surface it's an exclamation that might be considered impolite but in french daily life it conveys a wide range of emotions The opinions surrounding putain, putain, vary widely. Some people shrug it off as casual while others find it extremely offensive.

I myself don't particularly like it. I never use any of the two swear words we're going to study extensively today. So it feels very awkward for me to say them. If you're hanging out with French folks in their 40s or 50s or younger, in a relaxed setting, expect to hear swear words like putain. If you're in a family setting with kids, elderly people, superiors or clients, it's best to stay respectful and avoid swearing altogether. In English, fuck is a versatile word that can be used negatively.

or to express disbelief and even excitement, like, well, fuck me, or, fuck, that's incredible. Sorry, guys. In a similar way, putain works in French, often standing alone as an exclamation. Since putain doesn't need to agree with anything, it's easy to slip into a sentence. But understanding the context is crucial to grasp the exact emotion being conveyed. It punctuates conversations, expressing a wide range of emotions, shock, anger, pain, desperation and even relief.

But frankly, you can actually use it for almost anything. When translating it, think about words like fuck, shit, or even holy crap, depending on the situation. The word varies in vulgarity and intensity, so choose wisely. For instance, in formal settings you won't use it, obviously, but you can choose its milder counterpart. We will talk about it. Here's how the French commonly use putain in everyday contexts. When shocked, someone might say, Oh, putain, t'as vu ça?

Oh fuck, did you see that? This phrase conveys astonishment or disbelief at something unexpected. In moments of desperation, the word is asserted as Putain, ça m'arrive toujours! Damn, this always happens to me! Highlighting the frustration of a recurring problem. Here is a good time to combine it with a filler such as... The link to these special episodes about fillers is in the description or on the show notes. When feeling angry, a person could exclaim, Putain, tous ces moustiques!

Putain, tout, c'est, moustique. Damn, all these mosquitoes! Venting their annoyance toward a persistent nuisance. After a long day, relief finds its voice in... Ah putain, il était temps que la journée se termine. Putain, il était temps que la journée se termine. God, it's about time the day ended. And finally, when experiencing pain. Aïe, putain, je me suis cogné le pied. Aïe, putain, je me suis...

Cognier le pied. Ouch, fuck, I stubbed my foot! Captures the immediate shock and frustration that follows a stub-toe. Putain! will be the most commonly used insult when we feel pain, whether it is physical or mental. Notice how I modulate the way I say it depending on the emotion.

These are negative emotions, but putain can also be used with positive emotions. As I told you before, you can actually use it for almost any situation. So for example, somebody you haven't met for a long time, you could say... Oh, putain, ça fait tellement longtemps. Oh, putain, ça fait tellement longtemps. Oh damn, it's been so long. It is not uncommon to exclaim putain when you have just received good news or completed a difficult task.

At a cafe. And the cakes look amazing and delicious. You could say, oh, putain, ça a l'air trop bon. Putain, ça a l'air trop bon. Damn, it looks so good. There's a cute cat sitting on a bench, you could say. Oh, il est trop mimi, putain. Il est trop mimi, putain. He's so cute. Damn. When you see a cute baby, you could say, No, you cannot say, putain. Gotcha. The baby is a pure soul and parents won't appreciate cursing around them.

Come on, putain. As I have just shown you, in daily life, French speakers incorporate putain into their speech in countless ways. However, if you find yourself in situations where it is not appropriate to use, like when you're around children... Consider substituting it with less offensive words like purée, mashed potatoes, or punaise. It's a bug.

These alternatives let you convey your feelings without directly offending anyone, while those around you will still understand your intent. So, for our baby example, you could say, Oh purée, il est trop mignon le bébé ! Oh, purée! Il est trop mignon, le bébé. Oh, shoot! The baby's so cute!

If you're keen on honing your listening skills and on seeing colorful swear words in their natural habitat, I have the perfect show recommendation. Seriously, you hear both of the curse words we discussed today. in the very first minute of the show. How great is that? This show, Plan Coeur, or The Hooker Plan, as it's known in English, is a favourite among French learners and it's easy to see why.

So the dialogue is refreshingly authentic, capturing the nuances of casual French that doesn't sound scripted. And the storyline is engaging too. It revolves around three friends who, seeing their pal, Elsa, Grappling with a series of romantic misadventures make a daring move to uplift her spirits. They impulsively decide to hire an escort boy for her. It's a must watch.

Watching a TV show can be a valuable learning tool, but to make the most out of it, subtitles are essential. However, there's a hitch. Most subtitles on TV aren't an exact match for the spoken words. It's been my experience that when diving into TV shows for learning, the discrepancies can be maddening. Interjections often get left out. Don't even get me started on curse words.

or entire phrases might be simplified for ease of reading. It's no wonder that many of us, including myself, have felt deterred from using TV as a learning medium, but that was before Lingopie. So I'd like to introduce you to this game changer, a resource I deeply wish had been around during my language learning days. They obviously gave me a script, but you know me, I always prefer to do it my way.

So let me tell you what I love with Lingopie instead. Lingopie is a game-changing platform where you can binge-watch French TV shows and movies and actually level up your French game. What's killer about it? Well, imagine watching a show with double subtitles. Yep, French and English all at once. And it's not just about watching. Everything is interactive.

Tap on any word, phrase, whatever, and it loops just that bit. If you're struggling, like all of us, with fast dialogues, slow it down a notch and catch every nuance, every curse word we cover in this episode. Gone are the days of feeling lost while watching French TV shows. Guess what? They've even developed an extension for Netflix now. So whether you're tuning into The Hooker Plan or Lupin, you won't miss a beat.

The coolest part, you can tap on any word or phrase. And I can stress this enough because you've heard me say time and time again, learning words in isolation, not the way to go. Learn phrases. With Lingopi, when you tap on a word or a phrase, it slots right into your vocab list for later review. Automatically. Honestly, who needs added homework? Our main goal should be just listening and getting gist.

If you want to step up your game even further, try out their voice recording feature. It gives you feedback on your pronunciation in real time. And for all of you quiz lovers and flashcard fans, they've got you covered too.

So whether you're into rom-com, thrillers, or even some adorable kids' content, Lingopies got something for everyone. You have a 7-day free trial, so you lose nothing by trying it. And if you get hooked, which I bet you will... you get 70% off on their lifetime subscription using my link frenchblabla.org slash curse frenchblabla.org slash curse

You will also find the link in the description. Trust me, it's a sweet deal. So if you don't know how to use TV shows or subtitles in an efficient way to learn and practice your French, I recommend you go listen to episode... 59 where I give you activities you can do whenever you watch TV or a movie and we also talk about the free audio training you can get. Link is also in the description.

Let's move on onto our second swear word of the day. It's also a very well-known one. I'm sure you know it. We're diving into merde. Yes, you heard me right. This seemingly crude French word deserves a closer look because it's not just a simple curse. Merde has many uses in French everyday language, much like shit in English.

You can say it on its own or spice it up by pairing it with other French words for maximum effect. It's an exclamation that you might hear when someone drops their phone or when they miss their bus. Oh, j'ai raté mon bus ! Merde ! J'ai raté mon bus ? Merde ! When used as an exclamation, merde expresses a range of spontaneous emotions, often as a reaction to immediate situations. For example, ça suffit merde.

translates to, that's enough, damn it, and can be used when someone's patience is at its limit, effectively drawing a line and a further discussion or behavior that is causing frustration. It is a sharp, immediate response that signal exasperation. Similarly, on m'a volé le vélo, merde! captures the abrupt shock and annoyance when someone discovers their bike has been stolen, equivalent to saying bloody hell someone stole my bike.

These exclamations are handy for conveying strong emotions succinctly and are commonly heard in lively conversations, among friends or in moments of personal frustration. It can also be a form of encouragement, like wishing someone good luck. Je te dis merde pour ton examen. Je te dis merde pour ton examen. When merde functions as an adjective, it is typically used to describe something of poor quality or something that is highly displeasing, saying

une voiture de merde doesn't just imply that the car is bad, it suggests it is frustratingly unreliable or has qualities that make it unpleasant to deal with. Similarly, Quel film de merde! Quel film de merde! Doesn't just mean the movie wasn't good, it conveys that the movie was a waste of time or profoundly disappointing.

perhaps due to poor plot, bad acting, or other significant defects. So this usage is common in casual speech among peers, but is likely too crude for formal or professional settings. Using merde as a noun allows speakers to label a situation as troublesome or problematic. J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. Quel merde! J'ai perdu mon portefeuille.

« quelle merde » expresses not just the inconvenience of losing a wallet but also the cascade of issues that follow, such as cancelling credit cards and replacing important IDs. The phrase On est dans la merde. On est dans la merde implies severe trouble, often with no easy resolution in sight. Akin to the English, we're in deep shit.

It suggests complications and difficulties that significantly impact the speaker's situation. Expressions like et merde et merde and et puis merde are used to convey resignation or acceptance of a mishap or a challenging situation. Might be what someone says after a minor yet annoying incident, such as spilling coffee on a shirt. While... Et puis merde. Et puis merde. translates a sense of giving up on frustration similar to screw it or I give up.

The verb form, merder, yes, we also created a verb with this word, directly translates to making a mess of things or falling at a task. Tout allait bien et puis j'ai merdé. Tout allait bien. et puis j'ai merdé. Translates an admission of a mistake that changed the course of events, recognizing a personal fault that led to a problem.

While merde is versatile and vivid, its appropriateness depends heavily on the social context. It's common in informal settings, especially among younger people, and within peer groups familiar with each other. However, in formal settings, its use could be highly inappropriate and potentially offensive, so that level of acceptability can vary based on the company, the setting and the nature of the relationship between speakers.

And that wraps up our lively tour throughout the colorful world of French swear words. Thanks for tuning in. I hope you've enjoyed diving into the nuances and emotional impacts of those cheeky French terms that can spice up a conversation or cause a stir. Remember, while it's fun to explore and use these expressions, knowing when and how to use them

can make all the difference in truly connecting with the language and its speakers. So if you're eager to keep improving your understanding of spoken French and to stop struggling with the fast pace and unique expressions, head over. to frenchblabla.org slash curse and check out Lingopie. It's designed to help you get a grip on real conversational French, including all the slang and rapid-fire dialogue that French is famous for.

So everything that we have covered today, every phrase and every example is available for you to download on today's show notes on frenchblabla.org. Link is also in the description. With that being said, I'll see you soon for the next episode. À plus tard!