61 French Text Slang and Instant Messaging Shortcuts
Text messaging and social media messages are all a part of our daily lives.
And it has introduced so many new terms into the mainstream. The little LOL that you add on a comment when you’re at a loss of what to reply, the K that you hurriedly press when you’re in the middle of something, and even abbreviations like IDK and IKR that only the young ones seem to know about.
By the way, IDK= I don’t know and IKR= I know, right.
Yeah, IKR???
The French language have these kinds of text-speak and slang, too. While many would think that these shortcuts are some sort of bastardization of a beautiful language, those who use these argue that modern conversations that happen online or on SMS require fast, hurried typing and text lingo serves that purpose.
In order to understand this aspect of the modern French language, today, we’ll all learn about the most common text slang and abbreviations.
You can also get this list in PDF format by clicking the yellow button below.
| MDR = Mort de rire. | It means ‘dying of laughter’. Just like LOL in English. |
| EXPDR = Explosé de rire or ‘exploding with laughter’. | Sort of similar to ROFL (rolling on the floor with laughter) in English. |
| C = C’est. | It means: “it’s”. |
| C Ca = C’est ça. | Means: “that’s it”. |
| CT= C’était. | This means “it was”. |
| G = J’ai. | Means “I have” |
| GT= J’étais | “I was” |
| QQ1 = quelqu’un | Meaning: someone. |
| QQC = quelque chose | It means: something |
| tt = tout. | All/everyone. |
| A+= à plus tard. | Means “see you” or its English version “cu” |
| ++ = à plus tard. | See you later. Like the English version: C U L8R |
| A12C4 = à un de ces quatre. | See you one of these days. |
| 12C4 = un de ces quatre. | One of these days. |
| A TT = à tout à l'heure. | Talk to you later. Similar to TTYL. |
| Je re = je reviens tout de suite. | Same as BRB or Be right back in English. |
| a2m1 = À demain. | See you tomorrow (c u tmrw) |
| Auj = Aujourd’hui. | It means “today” |
| ALP = À la prochaine. | See you. |
| BIZ =bisous, bises. Kisses. | Similar to X, XX or XO in English. |
| Cki ? = on se connaît ? | Do I know you? |
| J'y go= je dois partir. | Same as GTG or “got to go” |
| AMA = à mon avis. | In my opinion. Similar to IMO in English. |
| AMHA= à mon humble avis. | In my humble opinion. Similar to IMHO in English. |
| AMS = à mon sens. | “as I understand it” |
| C1Blag = c'est une blague. | Just kidding. Same as J/K in English. |
| RSTP = réponds, s'il te plaît. | Used to ask someone to text/reply back. |
| PEH = pour être honnête. | Just like TBH (to be honest). Use this when stating your opinion or thoughts on a matter. |
| Cc = Coucou. | Hey/ hi! |
| slt= Salut. | Hi! |
| Bjr = Bonjour. | Hello |
| Bsr = Bonsoir. | Good evening |
| MDA = Merci d'avance. | Thanks in advance. |
| Mci = Merci. | Similar to thx. |
| Pk = Pourquoi. | Why |
| STP = S'il te plaît. | Please. Similar to the shortened “pls”. |
| Dsl = Desolé. | Sorry. |
| DAC = d’accord. | Similar to OK. |
| b1sur = bien sûr. | of course |
| ENTK = en tout cas. | Anyway. |
| Pr toi =pour toi. | For you. Same as 4u. |
| DDD = demande de discussion | which means request for discussion or “we need to talk” |
| ASV = âge, sexe, ville. Similar to ASL | in English which is used in instant messaging to ask the age, sex, and location. |
| Bcp = beaucoup. | a lot. |
| bi1to = Bientôt. | Soon |
| CB1 = c’est bien.. | that’s good |
| CAD = c’est-à-dire. | that is. same as i.e. which is used to list or enumerate some points. |
| CPG = c’est pas grave. | it’s no big deal/ not a problem. |
| DQP = dès que possible. | as soon as possible (ASAP) |
| FDS = fin de semaine. | Weekend |
| JTM or Je t’M = je t’aime. | I love you |
| JMS = jamais. | Never |
| TJS = toujours. | Always. |
| JSG = je suis génial. | I’m doing good. |
| KDO = cadeau. | Gift |
| QDN = Quoi de neuf? | “What’s new?” |
| TLM = Tout le monde. | Everyone |
| RDV = Rendez-vous. | Catch up. |
| RAF = Rien à faire, | ‘Nothing to do’ |
| V1 = Viens. | Come. |
| OKLM Au calme = (Not the airline company KLM). Au calme here means no pressure / “chill”. | Used by youngsters mostly. |
Did I miss anything? Don’t forget to share in the comments!
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About the Author Frederic Bibard
Frederic Bibard is the founder of Talk in French, a company that helps french learners to practice and improve their french. Macaron addict. Jacques Audiard fan. You can contact him on Twitter and Google +