Verlan is a type of French slang that is formed by inverting the syllables of a word. In fact, the word “verlan” is itself a verlan of à l’envers (backwards). If you come across a word that doesn’t look or sound French at all, chances are it’s verlan.

L’envers (l’en + vers) –> (vers + l’en) Verlan

This kind of slang is used in colloquial speech and is common among the younger generation. Here are 10 examples of verlan as heard in rap music and seen in media:

Meuf

Verlan of femme
Definition: woman, girl, girlfriend
Antonym: mec
Alternative form: feumeu, which is the verlan of meuf

“Mais j’ai jamais chopé de bonnes meufs”.

But I’ve never picked up any hot girls.

Tromé

Verlan of métro
Definition: subway, metro, underground (the Tube)

“Assis ensemble sans se dire un seul mot dans le tromé”.

Sat together on the metro without saying a single word to each another.

Teuf

Verlan of fête
Definition: party
Verb: teufer

“Il fait que de grosses teufs”.

He only hosts big parties.

Chelou

Verlan of louche
Definition: shady, dodgy, weird

“T’empêcheras jamais des gens de parler et, comme t’es chelou y a peut-être moyen que les gens veuillent te frapper”.

You’ll never stop people from talking, and since you’re weird, people might want to beat you up.

Cheum

Verlan of moche
Definition: ugly

“Tu vas rentrer seule, c’est cheum”.

You’re gonna go home alone, it’s ugly (it sucks).

Reuf

Verlan of frère
Definition: brother, bro

“Ici on est des bonhommes, tout ça mon reuf”.

We’re men here, all of this, my brother.

Tel-hô

Verlan of hôtel
Definition: hotel
Note: this is not a commonly used word but it shows that you can turn pretty much any word into verlan.

“On se drogue, on se défonce dans l’tel-hô”.

We get drugged up and high in the hotel.

Ouf

Verlan of fou
Definition: crazy
Derivative: de ouf – really/very, crazy (positive or negative connotation), amazing
“C’est un truc de ouf” (It’s crazy / It’s amazing)

“Ça m’inspire de ouf”.

It really inspires me. [2:47]

Relou

Verlan of lourd
Definition: irritating, frustrating

“C’est relou, je parle avec un mec qui ne connaît rien”.

It’s irritating talking to a guy who knows nothing. [2:56]

Vesqui

Verlan of esquiver
Definition: to dodge, to evade, to avoid

“Je traine pas trop dans la ville, moi j’vesqui la migraine”.

I don’t hang around too much in the city, I avoid the headache.