You thought you were fluent in French but don't understand Canadian French? It happens to French people too! They wouldn't know either what "babiche" or "tiguidou" mean. And they certainly wouldn't use "tabarnak" when they are angry!
Quebecois, or Canadian French, is the result of Classical French, imported in North America in the 16th century by the French colonists, mixed with American English and Amerindian influences. While travelling around in Quebec, you will come across vocabulary and sayings that are specific to French Canadians. The language used by Quebecois reflects both their openness to the world and their strong attachment to their roots.
The differences between French from France and French from Canada are mainly in pronunciation. But some Canadian French words and expressions are local specialties. As for Canadian French swear words, you will notice that they mainly refer to Christian rites or objects. While French swear words are almost always related to sex or sexual behaviours.
This article offers 101 entries in two groups: everyday vocabulary and longer turns of phrase you hear in real Quebec conversation. Here is a list of typical words and expressions from our Quebec cousins — 54 Canadian French words and 47 Canadian French phrases to help you talk more naturally in Canada. Each entry includes an English equivalent and a brief note on origin or usage. You can keep them in your pocket by downloading French Translator & Dictionary + by Vidalingua for free on your
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The Canadian French words below cover everyday vocabulary in Quebec. For each word you will find an English equivalent, Quebec pronunciation (click the speaker icon to hear it), and a note on origin or context.
achaler – to annoy
/aʃale/
This verb probably comes from the verb "chaloir" which meant "to pester" in old Norman dialect.
babiche – snowshoe
/babɪʃ/
This Quebec word comes from the Algonquian word "ababich" which describes a type of traditional rope made by indigenous American Indians from strips of elk or deer hide.
bibitte – bug, insect
/bibit/
A derivative of the French word "bébête" for an insect, shaped by typical Quebec pronunciation. It can also be a dangerous false friend!
binne – bean
/bin/
This typical word from Quebec is an anglicism that comes directly from the English word "bean".
bienvenue – you're welcome
/bjɛ̃vəny/
In Quebec, this word is used to mean "you're welcome" — a direct translation of how English speakers use "you are welcome" in that context, not to greet someone.
bobettes – underwear [plural]
/bɔbɛt/
The origin of this word is quite a mystery. The most likely hypothesis is that it would come from the English verb "to bob", to which Quebecers added the suffix "ette".
boîte à malle – mailbox
/bwat a mal/
A literal then gallicised translation of the English word "mailbox". The word "mail" gradually turned into "malle" in Quebec speech.
boucane – smoke
/bukan/
This word comes from the verb "boucaner" which means to expose meat or fish to smoke in order to preserve it.
caribou – caribou, reindeer
/kaʁibu/
"Caribou" would come from the Indian word "xalibu" which means something like the one who uses his hooves as a shovel. Caribou scrape the snow with their feet to find food underneath.
champlure – tap, faucet
/ʃɑ̃plyʁ/
This Quebec word certainly comes from the word "chantepleure" which was a kind of funnel with a long pipe pierced with holes to let liquids flow into a barrel or tank.
char – car
/ʃaʁ/
This term does not come from the English word "car" but refers to "chariot", a two-wheeled Roman carriage coupled to horses — the same root as plough, chariot, or cart.
chaudron – cooking pot, saucepan
/ʃodʁɔ̃/
People in Quebec keep on using this middle-aged word to describe a container that is used to heat water or food.
chien-chaud – hot dog
/ʃjɛ̃ ʃo/
A literal translation of this typically North American food.
chum – buddy, boyfriend
/tʃœm/
This term is an anglicism from the same English word "chum". The feminine equivalent for a girlfriend is often "ma blonde".
clavardage – online chat
/klavaʁdaʒ/
This French Canadian word is a portmanteau of purely Quebec origin composed of the words "clavier" ("keyboard") and "bavarder" ("to chat").
cotteur – sidewalk
/kɔtœʁ/
This term refers to the strip of concrete bordering the streets, i.e. "à côté" ("next") to the road.
débarbouillette – washcloth
/debaʁbujɛt/
This word comes from the verb "débarbouiller" ("to wash up").
dépanneur – corner store, convenience store
/depanœʁ/
Used for a small shop offering all sorts of necessities and open later than others. It can "bail you out" at any time of day.
espadrilles – sneakers, trainers
/ɛspadʁij/
This word is certainly the result of a confusion with the first canvas tennis shoes.
facture – bill (at a restaurant) or receipt
/faktyʁ/
Beyond its ordinary meaning, Quebecers use this word for any document that shows a price — for a service, goods, and so on.
fortiller – to wiggle, fidget
/fɔʁtije/
This word is thought to be a cross between the verbs "frétiller" and "tortiller".
foufounes – buttocks [always plural]
/fuʒun/
A dangerous false friend as "foufoune" means "pussy" in France!
frencher – to French kiss
/fʁɛnʃe/
This verb comes from the English verb "to french kiss".
frette – bitterly cold (around −20°C and below)
/fʁɛt/
The origin of this word is probably old French "freid", which became "froid". It usually refers to the outdoor temperature.
gazer – to gas up
/ɡaze/
This Canadian French verb is the gallicised version of the American English verb "to gas up".
gazer – to fart
/ɡaze/
Easy to understand since French also says "avoir des gaz". As you will notice, Quebec speech is often very direct!
gosses – balls, bollocks [plural]
/ɡɔs/
Another false friend you'd better know to avoid very awkward situations, as "gosse" means "kid" in French slang...
ivressomètre – breathalyser
/ivʁɛsɔmɛtʁ/
"Ivresse" meaning drunkenness, this is the device used for estimating blood alcohol content. In other words, to measure somebody's drunkenness. Let's call a spade a spade!
jambette – trip (in sports)
/ʒɑ̃bɛt/
Often related to sports, this Quebec word relates to a leg ("jambe") move intended to destabilize the opponent.
laveuse – washing machine
/lavøz/
A direct translation of the English word "washer".
linge – household linen, cleaning rag
/lɛ̃ʒ/
For Quebecers, the term "linge" is used more for fabrics used around the home.
liqueur – soda, soft drink
/likœʁ/
Dangerous false friend! In Quebec, children drink liqueurs i.e. sugary fizzy drinks.
magasinage – shopping
/maɡazinaʒ/
This word is built like its English equivalent from "magasin" ("shop") and the suffix "age". Very different from its "French from France" version which means retail stocking.
maringuouin – mosquito
/maʁɛ̃ɡwɛ̃/
French settlers borrowed the Tupi word "maringuouin" from an indigenous people of Brazil in the 16th century. It is still used by Quebecers even though the word "mosquito" is gaining ground.
pinotte – peanut
/pinɔt/
This typical Quebec word is an anglicism from the word "peanut". Like in English, the plural form of "pinotte" can mean of low value.
PQ – Parti Québécois (political party)
/pe ky/
Absolutely nothing to do with toilet paper.
robeur – tire
/ʁɔbœʁ/
Another anglicism from the word "rubber".
siffleux – marmot
/siflø/
Since marmots whistle to warn the colony of danger.
tabarnak – equivalent of the f-word
/tabaʁnak/
A contraction of "tabernacle". Like most Quebec swear words, it's blasphemous. Used like the f-word in English to express frustration, anger, or surprise.
tiguidou – awesome, great
/tiɡidu/
A pure Quebec creation whose origin is obscure. The most plausible theory is a variation of the Scottish expression "tickety-boo" meaning "to go slowly, but surely".
vidanges – garbage, trash
/vidɑ̃ʒ/
If someone asks you to take out the vidanges, they're not talking about your car!
niaiser – to kid around, mess around, waste time
/njɛze/
Covers everything from teasing between friends to pointless chatter. "Arrête de niaiser!" often means "stop kidding around" or "stop wasting my time".
plate – down, depressed, blue
/plat/
In Quebec, saying "Je me sens plate" doesn't mean you are flat physically, but that you lack energy or feel low.
pogner – to catch, get, understand
/pɔɲe/
Very versatile in Quebec: "J'ai pogner un rhume", "T'as pogner le sens?", "Pogne-moi ça!" A word you hear everywhere.
tuque – winter beanie, knit cap
/tyk/
A quasi-national symbol of Quebec, worn as soon as the temperature drops. The word probably comes from Spanish "touca" or an older French form.
jaser – to chat, gossip, talk at length
/ʒɑze/
"Venir jaser un peu" means dropping by for a chat. A warm word, very present in Quebec neighbourhood life.
croustille – potato chips
/kʁustij/
Gallicised anglicism from "crisp". In Quebec you eat croustilles, not chips — though "chips" is gaining ground among younger people.
blonde – girlfriend
/blɔ̃d/
Watch the context! "Ma blonde" means a girlfriend or partner, not necessarily a blond person. The male equivalent is often "mon chum".
icitte – here
/isit/
Typical Quebec pronunciation of "ici", with the final "t" clearly audible. "Viens icitte!" is a very common invitation.
pantoute – not at all
/pɑ̃tut/
"Je comprends pantoute" means "I don't understand at all". Quebec negation sometimes has its own logic!
breuvage – beverage, drink
/bʁøvaʒ/
An older word than "boisson" in everyday Quebec usage. "Un breuvage chaud" in winter, "un breuvage gazeux" at the dépanneur — very natural in Quebec.
chauffer – to drive (a car)
/ʃofe/
Dangerous false friend! "Je chauffe ma blonde au cinéma" means to drive, not to warm anyone up. A very Quebec sense of the verb.
guichet – ATM, cash machine
/ɡiʃɛ/
In Quebec, "aller au guichet" means withdrawing money from a cash dispenser. In France, a guichet is mainly a ticket or service counter.
magouille – shady deal, scam, dirty trick
/maɡuj/
"Y'a de la magouille" means something is fishy or not quite above board. A very vivid word from popular Quebec speech.
The Canadian French phrases that follow are often more colourful than single words. Each phrase is accompanied by its English equivalent, Quebec pronunciation (click the speaker icon to hear it), and a note on tone or situation.
attendre que le curé se mouche - to take your time
/atɑ̃dʁ ke lə kyʁe sə muʃ/
Literally: to wait for the priest to blow his nose
avoir de la broue dans le toupet - to be snowed under
/avwaʁ də la bʁu dɑ̃ lə tupɛ/
Literally: to have foam in your hair
avoir de l'eau dans la cave - to be in a hurry, to have a lot on one's plate
/avwaʁ də lo dɑ̃ la kav/
Literally: to have water in the cellar
avoir la fly à l'air - to have your fly open
/avwaʁ la flaj a lɛʁ/
Literally: to have your fly in the air. A much more explicit expression in Quebec than in France!
avoir du front tout le tour de la tête - to have some nerve
/avwaʁ dy fʁɔ̃ tu lə tuʁ də la tɛt/
Literally: to have a forehead all around the head
avoir de la mine dans le crayon - to be a horny devil
/avwaʁ də la min dɑ̃ lə kʁɛjɔ̃/
Literally: to have lead in one's pencil
avoir une montée de lait - to lose your rag
/avwaʁ yn mɔ̃te də lɛ/
Literally: to have a milk rise
avoir un pain au four - to have a bun in the oven (to be pregnant)
/avwaʁ ɛ̃ pɛ̃ o fuʁ/
A literal translation of the English expression "to have a bun in the oven".
avoir son voyage - to be at the end of your tether
/avwaʁ sɔ̃ vɔjaʒ/
Literally: to have one's trip
avoir les yeux dans' graisse de binnes - to be wrecked (from alcohol or exhaustion)
/avwaʁ le jø dɑ̃ ɡʁɛs də bin/
Literally: to have your eyes in bean grease. The word "binne" means bean — an anglicism from English "bean".
baiser le cul du diable quand il est frette - to strike while the iron is hot
/bɛze lə kyl dy djabl kɑ̃ il ɛ fʁɛt/
Literally: to kiss the devil's ass when it's cold. Quebec speech often alludes to religion.
ça vient de s'éteindre - period, end of story
/sa vjɛ̃ də sɛtɛ̃dʁ/
Literally: it just went out
caller l'orignal - to have a hangover
/kale lɔʁiɲal/
Literally: to call the moose
se calmer le pompon - to stay cool
/sə kalme lə pɔ̃pɔ̃/
Literally: to calm one's pompom down
cogner des clous - to fight off sleepiness
/kɔɲe de klu/
Literally: to bang nails
courir la galipote - to chase women, to gallivant
/kuʁiʁ la ɡalipɔt/
This expression probably comes from the English verb "to gallivant" — going from place to place looking for pleasure.
donner son 4% à quelqu'un - to lay somebody off
/dɔne sɔ̃ katʁ pʁɑ̃sɑ̃ a kɛlkɑ̃/
Literally: to give somebody his/her 4%. Refers to the 4% severance pay an employee receives when laid off.
être vite sur ses patins - to be quick off the mark
/ɛtʁ vit syʁ se patɛ̃/
Literally: to be quick on one's skates. An obvious expression in the land of ice hockey.
faire du pouce - to hitch-hike
/fɛʁ dy pus/
Literally: to make some thumb. Quebec speech is often very pragmatic!
faire du train - to make a lot of noise
/fɛʁ dy tʁɛ̃/
Literally: to make a train
se faire prendre pour une valise - to be taken for an idiot
/sə fɛʁ pʁɑ̃dʁ puʁ yn valiz/
Literally: to be taken for a suitcase
se fendre le cul - to bust your ass, work your butt off
/sə fɑ̃dʁ lə kyl/
Literally: to split your ass
franchement Armand - that's taking the piss, no kidding
/fʁɑ̃ʃmɑ̃ aʁmɑ̃/
Literally: frankly Armand. An expression built like "roule Raoul".
niaiser avec le puck - to beat about the bush
/njɛze avɛk lə pɔk/
Literally: to tease the puck. Another obvious expression in the land of ice hockey!
osti de câlisse de ciboire de tabarnak - holy shit, fucking hell
/ɔsti də kalis də sibwaʁ də tabaʁnak/
Literally: Host of chalice of ciborium of tabernacle. A highly blasphemous Quebec expression — each word refers to Christian rites.
ne pas lâcher la patate - to hold on tight
/nə pa lɑʃe la patat/
Literally: not to give up the potato
se paqueter la fraise - to get punch drunk
/sə pakte la fʁɛz/
Literally: to wrap your strawberry up
parler à travers son chapeau - to talk through one's hat
/paʁle a tʁavɛʁ sɔ̃ ʃapo/
A literal translation of the English expression "to talk through one's hat".
passer la nuit sur la corde à linge - to stay up all night
/pase la nɥi syʁ la kɔʁd a lɛ̃ʒ/
Literally: to spend the night on the washing line
péter au frette - to burn out, crack under pressure
/pete o fʁɛt/
Literally: to burst in the cold
péter de la broue - to show off
/pete də la bʁu/
Literally: to blow from the foam
se pogner le bacon - to hang around, jerk off
/sə pɔɲe lə bekɔ̃/
Literally: to catch one's bacon
tomber en amour - to fall in love
/tɔ̃be ɑ̃ namuʁ/
A literal translation of the English expression "to fall in love".
tomber des peaux de lièvre - to snow heavily
/tɔ̃be de po də ljɛvʁ/
Literally: rabbit skins are falling
avoir l'estomac dans les talons - to be starving
/avwaʁ lɛstɔma dɑ̃ le talɔ̃/
Literally: to have your stomach in your heels. A striking and very Quebec image.
être sur la brosse - to be drunk
/ɛtʁ syʁ la bʁɔs/
A colourful Quebec expression. You can also say "prendre une brosse" to have one drink too many.
avoir les deux pieds dans la même bottine - to lack common sense, to be clumsy
/avwaʁ le dø pje dɑ̃ la mɛm bɔtin/
Literally: to have both feet in the same boot
ça prend pas la tête à Papineau - it's simple, it's obvious
/sa pʁɑ̃ pa la tɛt a papino/
Literally: it doesn't take Papineau's head. A reference to Quebec politician Louis-Joseph Papineau.
être né pour un petit pain - to lack ambition, to aim low
/ɛtʁ ne puʁ ɛ̃ pəti pɛ̃/
Literally: to be born for a small loaf of bread
se garrocher - to hurry, rush
/sə ɡaʁɔʃe/
"Garroche-toi, on va être en retard!" — a very Quebec verb, probably from a regional form of "to throw oneself".
c'est le fun - it's fun, it's great
/sɛ lə fœn/
An integrated anglicism. "Le party était le fun!" is a sentence you will often hear among friends.
être ben correct - it's fine, it's OK, no problem
/ɛtʁ bɛ̃ kɔʁɛkt/
Quebec "ben" often replaces "bien" in speech. "T'es ben correct" can also mean "you're a good person".
avoir ben de la gueule - to look sharp, stylish
/avwaʁ bɛ̃ də la ɡœl/
Literally: to have a lot of face
être sur la coche - to be on time, punctual
/ɛtʁ syʁ la kɔʃ/
Literally: to be on the dot
être dans le bois - to be lost, in over your head
/ɛtʁ dɑ̃ lə bwa/
Can also mean being in debt or in financial trouble, depending on context.
caller ben fort - to swear loudly
/kale bɛ̃ fɔʁ/
"Caller" here means to shout or hurl swear words. Very Quebec, especially when someone is angry.
avoir ben hâte - to really look forward to something
/avwaʁ bɛ̃ ɑt/
"J'ai ben hâte de tes vacances!" expresses joyful impatience, typical of familiar Quebec register.
If your favourite Canadian French words or phrases are not on this list, email me at info@vidalingua.com and I will add them. This guide brings together 101 entries — Canadian French words and phrases — to help you understand local speech in Quebec. For the same list in French, see 101 Mots et expressions pour parler québécois.
Practising these words and phrases out loud will help you retain Quebec speech faster. Reuse each expression in a real conversation, and come back when you hear a new one in Canada.
Beyond this list, the best way to improve is to listen to Quebecers talk among themselves — podcasts, TV series, and radio on Radio-Canada, or a chat at the corner dépanneur. Spot the words you recognise, note the expressions that keep coming back, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Locals usually appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect yet.
Whether you are planning a trip to Montreal, a study exchange in Quebec City, or a course in Canadian French, these 101 words and phrases give you a solid base for following a Quebec conversation without staying silent. Over time, local speech will become less mysterious — and a lot more fun to practise.
For more background, the Canadian Encyclopedia traces how French took root in Quebec, and Wikipedia's Quebec French article summarises how the dialect differs from European French today.
Have you written an article about learning French? If it's good, we might link to it. Email outreach@vidalingua.com to let us know.
Want to learn common French phrases with interactive lessons? Download Learn French + for free on your iPhone or iPad.
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Christine Ducos-Restagno
Lead French linguist
VidaLingua
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