
It's more common than ever these days for friends to communicate online or by text. In fact, being able to quickly message people from all over the world is an amazing asset for language learners!
However, if you've ever chatted with someone in French, you might have noticed that the way they talk isn't exactly the same as your textbooks. Native speakers often use slang in casual conversation, and this is especially true for using many abbreviations in text messages. If you're learning French, then this cultural aspect of the language can't be ignored.
So, here we present you with French texting abbreviations that will help you sound like a native speaker!
Why Should You Learn French Text Lingo?
Learning French texting language won't just help you communicate more naturally and confidently with your French friends -- it's also genuinely useful! Texting shorthands save time and are perfect for quickly communicating information (and staying under character limits).
Plus, texting language is incredibly nuanced. If you've ever obsessed over someone ending a sentence with a period instead of an exclamation point, then you'll understand that many abbreviations can help you convey your tone and level of formality.

A Guide to French Text Abbreviations
Now that you know why you should learn about French texting slang, it's time to start actually learning! This list may seem long, and it's hardly exhaustive, but don't be alarmed -- it's easy once you understand a few simple patterns.
Simplifying Sounds
Similar to English phrases like "c u l8r," French texting lingo shortens words by using single letters , numbers, and occasionally symbols to stand in for longer letter combinations with a similar sound. To use an English example...
- See = C
- You = U
- Later = L8r
Here's a French version with the phrase:
- À demain (see you tomorrow):
- À = A
- de = 2
- ain = 1
Notice how even though the sounds are only approximately the same, the number 1 (pronounced "un") is used to replace "ain."
Convenient Lettering
Similarly, notice how in the above example, the accented vowel À is replaced by a normal A. The same thing the phrase ça va -- it changes to sa va to eliminate the special character. Text messaging is all about simplicity.
It is also common for words to be written with just enough letters for the point to get across, like bonjour being shortened to bjr. Silent letters like "e" or "h" are almost always removed.
Common Text Message Terms
For this list of French internet slang, we'll start with the abbreviation and full written form, then the English translation, along with the corresponding English abbreviation, if there is one.

Greetings and Goodbyes
Cc =
Native
Translation
Coucou/ [Hey
Hey/hi!
slt=
Native
Translation
Salut
Hi!
Bjr =
Native
Translation
Bonjour
Hello
Bsr =
Native
Translation
Bonsoir
Good evening
A+ or ++ =
Native
Translation
À plus tard
See you
A12C4 =
Native
Translation
À un de ces quatre
See you one of these days
12C4 =
Native
Translation
Un de ces quatre
One of these days
A TT =
Native
Translation
À tout à l'heure
Talk to you later
Je re =
Native
Translation
Je reviens tout de suite
Be right back
a2m1 =
Native
Translation
À demain
See you tomorrow
ALP =
Native
Translation
À la prochaine
See you next time
BIZ =
Native
Translation
bisous, bises
Kisses
J'y go=
Native
Translation
Je dois partir
I have to go
Questions
Pk =
Native
Translation
Pourquoi?
Why?
Cki ? =
Native
Translation
On se connaît ?
Do I know you?
QDN =
Native
Translation
Quoi de neuf?
What’s new?
Sa va =
Native
Translation
ça va
How are you?
Expressions

MDR =
Native
Translation
Mort de rire
Dying of laughter
It’s the equivalent of LOL (laughing out loud).
EXPDR =
Native
Translation
Explosé de rire
Exploding with laughter
The equivalent of ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) or LMAO (laughing my ass off).
DDD =
Native
Translation
Demande de discussion
We need to talk
CPG =
Native
Translation
C’est pas grave/ [It’s no big deal
It’s no big deal/not a problem
DQP =
Native
Translation
Dès que possible
As soon as possible
AM(H)A =
Native
Translation
À mon (humble) avis
In my (humble) opinion
AMS =
Native
Translation
À mon sens
As I understand it
C1Blag =
Native
Translation
C'est une blague
It's a joke
RSTP =
Native
Translation
Réponds, s'il te plaît
Respond, please
PEH =
Native
Translation
Pour être honnête
To be honest
MDA =
Native
Translation
Merci d'avance
Thanks in advance
Mci =
Native
Translation
Merci
Thanks; thnx
STP =
Native
Translation
S'il te plaît
Please; pls or plz
SVP =
Native
Translation
S'il vous plaît
Please
Dsl =
Native
Translation
Desolé
Sorry; sry
JTM or Je t’M =
Native
Translation
Je t’aime
I love you
JSG =
Native
Translation
Je suis génial
I’m doing good
TKT =
Native
Translation
T’inquiète
Don’t worry
Other Useful French Slang
C =
Native
Translation
C’est
It's
C Ca =
Native
Translation
C’est ça
That's it
CT=
Native
Translation
C’était
It was
G =
Native
Translation
J’ai
I have
GT=
Native
Translation
J’étais
I was
QQ1 =
Native
Translation
Quelqu’un
Someone
QQC =
Native
Translation
Quelque chose
Something
RAS =
Native
Translation
Rien à Signaler
Nothing to report
tt =
Native
Translation
Tout/ [All
All/Everyone
Auj =
Native
Translation
Aujourd’hui
Today
DAC =
Native
Translation
D’accord
Alright
b1sur =
Native
Translation
Bien sûr
Of course
ENTK =
Native
Translation
En tout cas
Anyway
Pr toi =
Native
Translation
Pour toi
For you
Bcp =
Native
Translation
Beaucoup
A lot
bi1to =
Native
Translation
Bientôt
Soon
CB1 =
Native
Translation
C’est bien
That’s good
CAD =
Native
Translation
C’est-à-dire
That is
FDS =
Native
Translation
Fin de semaine
Weekend
JMS =
Native
Translation
Jamais
Never
TJS =
Native
Translation
Toujours
Always
KDO =
Native
Translation
Cadeau
Gift
TLM =
Native
Translation
Tout le monde
Everyone
RDV =
Native
Translation
Rendez-vous
Catch up
RAF =
Native
Translation
Rien à faire
Nothing to do
V1 =
Native
Translation
Viens
Come
Slang Etiquette: Being Polite While Texting in French

Did you notice how almost all the included phrases used tu rather than vous when directed at another person? French people value politeness and respect, so be careful.
Slang is considered more informal and is usually used among friends and peers, but it depends on the context. Using some shorthand abbreviations in a quick update to a colleague probably won't get you in trouble. However, when in doubt, remember your nétiquette rules, and write things out in full.
The Bottom Line
Texting utilizes a lot of convenient shorthand that may seem strange to beginning French learners, but all it takes is a little practice! Soon, you'll sound like a native when you message your French friends.
But, as always, if you aren't quite ready to jump into a conversation with a French person, why not check out Langster? By reading and listening to short stories at your level, you'll quickly gain the knowledge you need to succeed on your language-learning journey.