What is the verlan?

Verlan is a form of slang.

💡 Slang = vocabulary used by a specific social group that differentiates it from others. To learn more about slang, I invite you to read my article on the different language registers.
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Verlan is a linguistic principle that consists of inverting two or more syllables of a word to form a new one.

Writing and pronunciation change, but not the meaning of the word

For example :

      "Fou" (crazy) becomes in verlan "ouf"

 

Verlan of fou = ouf

 

💡 The word "verlan" is even a verlan. "Verlan" means "l'envers (upside down)", which is the proper principle of verlan. 🤪

 

Do I have to learn the verlan ? 

Verlan is very popular among young people and orally.

You have certainly already heard a few words of verlan in series, films or in French songs.

It is therefore important to know a few words of verlan in order to be the least lost if you hear them in a conversation.

I have prepared a list below of the main verlan words used in France.

 

Main words in verlan :

➔ Chelou is the verlan of the word louche 

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Chelou is the verlan of the word louche 

 

➔ Meuf is the verlan of the word femme 

Meuf is the verlan of the word femme 

 

➔ Zarbi is the verlan of the word bizarre 

Zarbi is the verlan of the word bizarre 

 

➔ Teuf is the verlan of the word fête 

Teuf is the verlan of the word fête 

 

➔ Vénère is the verlan of the word énervé 

Vénère is the verlan of the word énervé 

 

➔ Pécho is the verlan of the word choper 

Pécho is the verlan of the word choper 

 

➔ Teubé is the verlan of the word bête 

Teubé is the verlan of the word bête 

 

➔ Relou is the verlan of the word lourd 

Relou is the verlan of the word lourd 

 

➔ Laisse béton is the verlan of the expression Laisse béton 

Laisse béton is the verlan of the expression Laisse béton 

 

➔ Reum is the verlan of the word mère

Reum is the verlan of the word mère

 

 

Verlan now has no more secrets for you. 

See you soon for new adventures, in French of course! 🇫🇷

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