Iggy looking down at his phone with a puzzled expression, a question mark above his head

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 phone screen displaying a text bubble that says

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.

Benji standing at a chalkboard with

Greetings and Goodbyes

Cc =

French

English

Coucou/ [Hey

Hey/hi!

slt=

French

English

Salut

Hi!

Bjr =

French

English

Bonjour

Hello

Bsr =

French

English

Bonsoir

Good evening

A+ or ++ =

French

English

À plus tard

See you

A12C4 =

French

English

À un de ces quatre

See you one of these days

12C4 =

French

English

Un de ces quatre

One of these days

A TT =

French

English

À tout à l'heure

Talk to you later

Je re =

French

English

Je reviens tout de suite

Be right back

a2m1 =

French

English

À demain

See you tomorrow

ALP =

French

English

À la prochaine

See you next time

BIZ =

French

English

bisous, bises

Kisses

J'y go=

French

English

Je dois partir

I have to go

Questions

Pk =

French

English

Pourquoi?

Why?

Cki ? =

French

English

On se connaît ?

Do I know you?

QDN =

French

English

Quoi de neuf?

What’s new?

Sa va =

French

English

ça va

How are you?

Expressions

Soren laughing while typing

MDR =

French

English

Mort de rire

Dying of laughter

It’s the equivalent of LOL (laughing out loud).

EXPDR =

French

English

Explosé de rire

Exploding with laughter

The equivalent of ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) or LMAO (laughing my ass off).

DDD =

French

English

Demande de discussion

We need to talk

CPG =

French

English

C’est pas grave/ [It’s no big deal

It’s no big deal/not a problem

DQP =

French

English

Dès que possible

As soon as possible

AM(H)A =

French

English

À mon (humble) avis

In my (humble) opinion

AMS =

French

English

À mon sens

As I understand it

C1Blag =

French

English

C'est une blague

It's a joke

RSTP =

French

English

Réponds, s'il te plaît

Respond, please

PEH =

French

English

Pour être honnête

To be honest

MDA =

French

English

Merci d'avance

Thanks in advance

Mci =

French

English

Merci

Thanks; thnx

STP =

French

English

S'il te plaît

Please; pls or plz

SVP =

French

English

S'il vous plaît

Please

Dsl =

French

English

Desolé

Sorry; sry

JTM or Je t’M =

French

English

Je t’aime

I love you

JSG =

French

English

Je suis génial

I’m doing good

TKT =

French

English

T’inquiète

Don’t worry

Other Useful French Slang

C =

French

English

C’est

It's

C Ca =

French

English

C’est ça

That's it

CT=

French

English

C’était

It was

G =

French

English

J’ai

I have

GT=

French

English

J’étais

I was

QQ1 =

French

English

Quelqu’un

Someone

QQC =

French

English

Quelque chose

Something

RAS =

French

English

Rien à Signaler

Nothing to report

tt =

French

English

Tout/ [All

All/Everyone

Auj =

French

English

Aujourd’hui

Today

DAC =

French

English

D’accord

Alright

b1sur =

French

English

Bien sûr

Of course

ENTK =

French

English

En tout cas

Anyway

Pr toi =

French

English

Pour toi

For you

Bcp =

French

English

Beaucoup

A lot

bi1to =

French

English

Bientôt

Soon

CB1 =

French

English

C’est bien

That’s good

CAD =

French

English

C’estàdire

That is

FDS =

French

English

Fin de semaine

Weekend

JMS =

French

English

Jamais

Never

TJS =

French

English

Toujours

Always

KDO =

French

English

Cadeau

Gift

TLM =

French

English

Tout le monde

Everyone

RDV =

French

English

Rendez-vous

Catch up

RAF =

French

English

Rien à faire

Nothing to do

V1 =

French

English

Viens

Come

Slang Etiquette: Being Polite While Texting in French

Benji sitting at the computer. In a thought bubble, debating whether to write

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.