The French language is old, actually very old, with the first written record dating back to the year 842 AD. Since its foundation in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, the Académie Française has overseen and preserved the French language by defining standards, providing official definitions, and updating the official dictionary of the French language.
However, languages are not static; they evolve over time, and they produce slang. Slang is the modern form of language use, the one that is spoken by the younger generations, and it has newer words and many instances of using them. French slang is called Verlan which is the most youthful form of the French language as of now. Modern languages have their go with young people.
But no worries if you are not used to using Verlan; we’ll help you in this article with the help of the French Netflix series Lupin.
Over fifty years after its creation, the famous Japanese manga Lupin the Third remains popular today. It features the adventures of Arsène Lupin, known as the world’s greatest thief.
In 2021, French Netflix launched a series inspired by the cartoon and set in Paris. What about learning French through it? It is full of everyday language, slang, and humor, which makes it a perfect choice for intermediate and advanced French learners. Ready to follow along with his adventures?
To best help you, this Jolii language learning app can help you understand the common French slang words used in any of Lupin’s Netflix episodes.
5 Reasons for Learning French through Netflix
- Everyday language: Movies and series are rich in everyday expressions and dialogues that will help you widen your vocabulary of commonly used slang words in French.
- Cultural insights: Apart from vocabulary and grammar, slang is also tied to culture. Through the French series, you will get an insight into life in France.
- Listening skills: By consistently watching TV shows, your ability to understand what people say in everyday conversations will improve.
- French slang: Shows like Lupin often contain a lot of French slang. If you understand slang, you will be able to interact with native speakers with much more ease.
- Just because it’s fun: Watching Netflix is an enjoyable experience, as learning a language should be! Enjoy the shows, pair them with the proper learning tools, and your French will improve without even realizing it.
Scene Breakdown: Learning French Slang from Assane’s Plan
Let’s now analyze a particular scene of the series. Assane Diop, the main character of the show, styles himself after Arsène Lupin and vows to avenge his father’s death. In the following scene, Assane meets a group of loan sharks to whom he owes money and involves them in his plan of stealing an expensive diamond necklace, once owned by Marie-Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution.
Learn French Slang from the scene.
Before watching the video, we recommend you first learn some slang (in French verlan ) you will find in it. Assane, for instance, refers to money (in French: argent ) using three different terms that are used in French slang as well as other expressions that you will hardly find in French textbooks! Let’s look at a few of them:
| Vocabulary | Meaning |
| Thune | Slang for money, equivalent to “cash” |
| Oseille | Another slang term for money, often used in Parisian slang |
| Pognon | Another informal term for money, roughly “dough” or “bucks” |
| Galère | Trouble, struggle; used to describe a difficult situation |
| Putain | An exclamation similar to “damn” or “wow”, depending on the context. |
Now, enjoy the scene! We recommend watching it twice for better comprehension.
Analyzing a Dialogue from the Scene
In the following dialogue, Assane, who works in the Louvre museum, explains his plan. Let’s analyze what he says in detail.
| French Dialogue | English Translation | Analysis |
| Voilà, vous m’avez sous-estimé parce que vous m’avez pas regardé. Vous m’avez vu, mais vous m’avez pas regardé. Comme eux ne regardent pas. | You underestimated me because you didn’t look at me. You saw me, but you didn’t look at me. Just like they don’t look at us. | Assane emphasizes the difference between merely “voir” (to see) and truly “regarder” (to look, to watch). |
| Ceux pour qui je travaille. Ceux qui vivent là-bas pendant que nous on vit ici. Ceux qui sont tout en haut quand nous, on est tout en bas. | Those I work for. Those who live over there while we live here. Those who are at the top while we are at the bottom. | A strong social divide is conveyed these words. Those who live “là-bas” (over there) and are “tout en haut” (at the top) with those who live “ici” (here) and are “tout en bas” (at the bottom) |
| Ils nous regardent pas. C’est grâce à ça qu’on va devenir riches. | They don’t look at us. It’s thanks to this that we’re going to become rich. | Instead of the full “Ils ne nous regardent pas” Assane says “Ils nous regardent pas” leaving out the ne. In spoken French, it’s common to drop the ne in negation, making it more casual and informal. |
Key Vocabulary and Expressions to Learn French Slang Vocabulary from Lupin
To make the most out of your watching experience, here is some useful vocabulary that will be helpful while watching Lupin:
| Vocabulary | English Translation | Usage in Context |
| Collier | Necklace | Donc, c’est ça, le collier de la Reine. ( So, that’s it, the queen’s necklace. ) |
| Voler | To steal | Le collier… on va le voler. (The necklace… we’re going to steal it.) |
| Vol | theft | Regarde, il a volé le collier de la reine, un vol parfait. (Look, he stole the queen’s necklace, a perfect theft) |
| Enchère | Auction | Il y a une fondation qui va mettre aux enchères un collier ( There’s a foundation that’s going to put a necklace up for auction) |
| Pierres | Rocks, jewels, gemstones | Ses sept pierres disséminées aux quatre coins du monde. (Its seven stones were spread across the four corners of the earth) |
| Agent d’entretien | Janitor | Je suis agent d’entretien. Au Louvre. (I’m a janitor at the Louvre.) |
| Œuvres d’art | Artworks | Les œuvres d’art que je nettoie, elles valent des millions ( The artworks I clean are worth millions ) |
| Gentleman-cambrioleur | Gentleman burglar | Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur. Très bon choix (Arsène Lupin, gentleman-burglar. Very good choice.) |
| Braquage | Robbery | Il y a eu un braquage. Personne ne sort. (There’s been a robbery. No one is allowed to leave.) |
Best TV Shows for Learning French And Verlan, Too
If you’re willing to improve your French, watching French TV shows is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the language while enjoying some great storytelling. You will not even realize that you have watched a masterpiece of the French language and learned slang as well. TV shows can give a boost to your vocabulary and listening skills, helping you learn French faster!
If you find difficulty in understanding any French slang you can use the Jolii app to better know the actual meaning.
Here are some other recommended shows:
The Forest:
A gripping mystery series set in a small French town where a young girl goes missing, unravelling dark secrets and hidden connections. The everyday language and suspenseful dialogue make the Forest an ideal choice for intermediate learners. But it’s not just for language learning; this show offers a look into French rural life and culture.
Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!):
A comedy-drama that follows a talent agency in Paris, focusing on the personal and professional lives of its agents as they navigate the complexities of managing celebrity clients. The dialogues and contemporary slang provide great exposure to modern French culture and humour, making Dix Pour Cent ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.
Marseille:
A political drama that centers on the power struggles between the city’s mayor and his former protégé, exploring themes of corruption and ambition. The show offers a rich vocabulary related to politics and social issues, along with regional accents that enhance listening skills.
Conclusion
Watching Lupin is a fun and immersive way to improve not only your French but your everyday use of slang while enjoying an entertaining story. Each scene teaches you practical French vocabulary and phrases, Parisian slang, and cultural insights. So, are you curious to know what happens next? Start watching now!
BONUS: French Text and Internet Slang to Chat with Your French Friends
Slang isn’t just spoken on the streets; it also appears on the internet, where young people have developed special ways of texting and writing, which can be incomprehensible even for native French speakers. Here are some abbreviations that are very common in French text slang.
- BJR = Bonjour (good morning).
“Bjr, ça va?” (good morning, what’s up?)
- BSR = Bonsoir (good evening).
“Bsr, tu fais quoi?” (good evening, what are you doing)
- STP = S’il te plait (please).
“Appelle-moi, STP” (call me, please)
- TLM = Tout le monde (everyone)
“TLM est prêt à sortir” (everyone is ready to go out)
- @TT = Á toute a l’heure (see you soon)
“J’arrive dans 10 minutes, @TT” (I arrive in 10 minutes, see you soon)
- A+ = Á plus tard (see you later)
“Le dîner est à 20h, A+” (the dinner is at 8pm, see you later)
- OKLM =Au calme (calm, chilling)
“Je suis OKLM (I’m chilling)
Include this French Text Slang in your messages, and you will impress your French-speaking friends!
FAQs
Q: Can I learn French with Lupin if I’m a beginner?
A: It is definitely more suited to people who are at a more advanced level of French, but as a beginner, you can certainly pick up quite a few phrases and a helpful amount of vocabulary just by watching with subtitles. If you want to take it a step further, you can use the Jolii app to import scenes from Lupin and practice with them.
Q: Is the slang used in Lupin common in everyday French?
A: Yes! Many of the slang terms in Lupin are frequently used in everyday conversation, especially in Paris. With Jolii, you can practice these terms in context and even test your comprehension.
Q: How does Jolii help with learning French through TV shows?
A: Jolii allows you to import scenes and practice vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills tailored to the show you’re watching. So, as you enjoy Lupin, Jolii can help you retain what you have learned.
