French Curse Words To Use Like “Merde,” “Zut,” & More

Let’s face it: in a time where slang words come and go in a single swipe, curse words have always been the exception. These so-called “bad words” have been around for a very long time and they never go out of fashion.

In France, cursing is quite common. You are bound to hear the French equivalent of the English “f*ck”—the famous “putain.” But there is an entire spectrum of profanities in the French language ranging from mild to very vulgar.

Important to remember: These words can be offensive and controversial, so they must be used with extra caution!

• shit / f*ck: putain (pu-tahn)
• shit: merde (merd)
• good grief: bon sang (bohn sahn)
• idiot: con (koh) / conne (kohn)
• f*ck off: se casser (seh kah-sey) / casse-toi (kahs-twa)
• shut up: ta gueule (tah gul)
• bastard: salaud (sah-loh)
• f*ck; motherf*cker: sa mère (sah mehr)
• asshole: ducon (duh-kohn)
• b*tch: pute (poot)
• damn (soft): mince (mahns)
• scumbag: salopard (sah-loh-par)
• to annoy / shit: chier (shee-eh)
• damn / blast it: zut (zoot)
• balls / "nuts": couilles (koo-yuh)
• dickhead / idiot: tête de nœud (tet de nuh)
• ass: cul (kool)