French Slang Abbreviations Every Learner Should Know

If you've ever chatted with French speakers online or watched French social media, you've probably encountered mysterious abbreviations like "mdr", "ptdr", or "bg". These slang abbreviations are everywhere in French digital communication, and knowing them will make you sound much more natural and help you connect with French speakers on a deeper level.

Why Learn French Slang Abbreviations?

French slang abbreviations aren't just for teenagers or social media. They're used by people of all ages in casual conversations, text messages, and online communication. Understanding these abbreviations will:

Help you understand French social media and online content
Make your text messages sound more natural
Show that you're familiar with contemporary French culture
Help you connect with French speakers in informal settings

Essential French Slang Abbreviations

MDR - Mort de rire

Meaning: Dying of laughter (equivalent to "LOL" in English)

Example: "Cette blague est trop drôle, mdr !"
Translation: "This joke is too funny, LOL!"

PTDR - Pété de rire

Meaning: Literally "broken from laughing" (stronger than MDR, like "ROFL")

Example: "J'ai vu cette vidéo, ptdr !"
Translation: "I saw this video, ROFL!"

BG - Beau gosse / Belle gosse

Meaning: Handsome guy / Beautiful girl

Example: "Il est vraiment bg !"
Translation: "He's really handsome!"

TKT - T'inquiète

Meaning: Don't worry (from "ne t'inquiète pas")

Example: "Tkt, tout va bien !"
Translation: "Don't worry, everything's fine!"

JPP - J'en peux plus

Meaning: I can't take it anymore / I'm dying (from laughter, exhaustion, etc.)

Example: "Cette situation est trop drôle, jpp !"
Translation: "This situation is too funny, I can't take it!"

TG - Tais-toi

Meaning: Shut up (informal, can be playful or rude depending on context)

Example: "TG, tu me fais rire !"
Translation: "Shut up, you're making me laugh!" (playful)

BJR - Bonjour

Meaning: Hello (casual greeting)

Example: "Bjr, comment ça va ?"
Translation: "Hello, how are you?"

BISOUS - Bisous

Meaning: Kisses (often written in caps for emphasis)

Example: "À bientôt, bisous !"
Translation: "See you soon, kisses!"

How to Use These Abbreviations

While these abbreviations are fun to learn, it's important to use them appropriately:

Context matters: Use them in casual, informal situations with friends or peers
Age appropriate: Younger people use them more frequently than older generations
Digital communication: They're most common in text messages, social media, and online chats
Don't overuse: Using too many abbreviations can make you sound unnatural

Practice Tips

Here are some ways to practice using these abbreviations:

Follow French social media accounts to see these abbreviations in context
Practice with French friends in casual text conversations
Watch French YouTube videos or TikTok content where these abbreviations appear
Start slowly by using one or two abbreviations you feel comfortable with

Pro Tip: When in doubt, it's better to use the full words rather than abbreviations. It's always better to sound slightly formal than to use slang inappropriately.

Conclusion

French slang abbreviations are a fun and practical way to sound more natural in casual French conversations. While they shouldn't replace proper French grammar and vocabulary, they're an important part of contemporary French culture and digital communication. Start with a few that you feel comfortable with, and gradually expand your repertoire as you become more confident in your French skills.

Remember, language learning is not just about grammar and vocabulary—it's also about understanding the culture and how people actually communicate in real life. These abbreviations are a perfect example of how language evolves and adapts to new forms of communication.