French insults are full of images, food and puns that make the natives laugh… but often leave strangers perplexed. Here are 10 typical French insults that “don’t mean anything” out of context, with their literal translation and a quick explanation to travel without misunderstandings.
1) Knot head — Literally “knot head”. Sounds absurd to a non-French speaker; It’s just a colloquial, pictorial way of calling someone an idiot.
2) Andouille — “Sausage”. In France, calling someone an idiot is like saying that he is stupid. Abroad, we will think more of charcuterie.
3) Foot-breaker. French expression for a troublesome person. Taken literally, the image does not fit outside of French culture.
4) Poor cabbage. Cabbage is a term of endearment, but “poor cabbage” can be mocking. The uninitiated may imagine a dish rather than an affective/ironic expression.
5) Tricard — “carded/blacklisted”. Slang for someone offside or persona non grata. Without French slang, this word conjures up nothing concrete.
6) Boulet — “cannonball”. Also called “to be a ball” to describe someone who slows down a group. Literal translation surprises and does not convey the pejorative charge.
7) Tocard — No direct equivalent in English; describes a person who is useless, mediocre. Its sound and spelling make it opaque to outsiders.
8) Glandeur — literally “acorn-er”; in reality a lazy person. Without context, this vegetal word does not reveal the idea of laziness.
9) Pignouf — Colloquial and somewhat outdated terms for a boorish or ill-mannered person. Its resonant and singular side loses all meaning outside France.
10) Silly — Very common in Quebec, less known elsewhere; means “stupid” or “naïve”. Depending on the French-speaking region, it changes its connotation and confuses non-speakers.
These insults show how much the French language loves images and local slang. To travel or chat with non-French speakers, it is better to explain the meaning rather than translate word for word. Want other untranslatable expressions or a guide to avoid misunderstandings when travelling? Say it in the comments!
