10 common uses of the French slang word 'chier'

French speakers use a rather broad range of slang expressions with high frequency.  Many of these expressions revolve around the word "chier".  The word litteraly means "defecate", but is used every day by millions of people in many kinds of situations.  It's very common for French speakers to use the slang word "chier" not only in the street but also at home, at work, in shops, with friends and family, in public places, at parties etc, that is, just about everywhere.

So, you may ask, are there any situations in which using "chier" is not appropriate ? Why is it considered slang if just about everyone uses it all the time ?

Well, first of all, you don't normally use it in formal settings.  For example, when giving or attending a lecture or conference, during a formal work meeting, when speaking to your boss (usually) or your teacher, or when a child speaks to his parents.

Secondly, a lot depends on the context and the actual slang expression containing "chier" that is used.  Some expressions are more "lightweight" and less impactful than others.  Some have become almost mainstream in expressing annoyance, frustration, or anger.  For example, the word "chiant", a derivative of "chier", is used very frequently and is not considered so vulgar, even though you might not say it in a classroom for example.  Depending on context it may mean "boring", "tedious", "annoying", "obnoxious".

So how do you know if and when you may use these French slang expressions ?

The answer is invariably : it depends on context !  Mastering the use of "chier" and its common container phrases definitely makes you a more fluent French speaker.  Native speakers instinctively detect when a foreigner rightly employs these slang expressions, and judge a foreign person's mastery of the spoken language based on these kinds of things.  Of course, "chier" is only one example of common French slang words and phrases, there are many more.

In this video, you watch 10 short scenes each using one French slang expression based on the word "chier".  The meaning of each phrase, and the way it's employed in every day life, varies quite a bit from one to the next.  In fact, each slang phrase typically means something completely different from the others.  Each clip helps you understand the context in which the corresponding phrase is used, so that you can reuse it in your own spoken sentences.

Important disclaimer: even though the word "chier" and the French slang expressions that contain it are used every day with great frequency by French speakers, they are still considered slang, and even, for some of them, outright vulgar.  The purpose of this video is NOT to encourage the indiscriminate use of slang language in French.  It just seeks to help learners of the spoken French language understand how these very common phrases are used in everyday life and in what context they may be employed.  It's important to remember, however, that some native speakers may still get shocked when hearing some of these slang expressions in given situations.

The following section is a transcription of the video annotated with comments about the exact meaning of each phrase and how it's used and perceived by French speakers.

1- First slang expression : Fait chier

Tu vas commander quelque chose ?
Fait chier, j'ai pas assez d'argent ...

The expression "fait chier!" in this context expresses annoyance and frustration, the equivalent of "damn!" in English.  This phrase is used very frequently in everyday life, and is not considered really vulgar or impolite, although highly informal and colloquial – again, avoid using it when talking to your boss, teacher, coronel etc.

Suppose you rush to catch a train, but when you get to the station the clerk tells you the train has already left.  You may say "oh non, fait chier ! Je vais devoir attendre le prochain …"