{"id":117088,"date":"2023-07-24T07:01:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T11:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-party-words-phrases\/"},"modified":"2025-02-23T05:05:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T10:05:42","slug":"french-party-words-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-party-words-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"30+ French Party Words and Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

What better way to experience la vie en rose<\/i> than in caf\u00e9s, bars and discoth\u00e8ques?<\/i><\/p>\n

After studying common French behaviors\u00a0and becoming more adjusted to French life, you’re probably dying to have a celebratory night on the town with friends while abroad.<\/p>\n

And if you’re self-studying French<\/a> at home, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing a bit of France to your home country’s nightlife.<\/p>\n

Here are over 30 <\/strong>essential party words and phrases in French,<\/strong> best accompanied by your drink of choice and some friendly Frenchmen!<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

French Phrases to Get the Night Started<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Tu fais quoi ce soir ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> What are you doing tonight?<\/p>\n

How can you start your evening if you don\u2019t know where the party will be?<\/p>\n

This simple yet efficient phrase is all you need to find the best bars and clubs for the night!\u00a0 You can also ask:<\/p>\n

Tu vas sortir ce soir ?<\/strong><\/em> (Are you going out tonight?)<\/p>\n

\u00c7a te dit d\u2019aller boire un verre ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning: <\/strong>Do you want to get a drink?<\/p>\n

This is another phrase that will be sure to get your night started.<\/p>\n

Although sometimes used as a pick-up line or to ask someone out on a date, it is just as common for friends to ask one another this question.<\/p>\n

The time to get a drink could start as early as 5 pm or so, also known as l’heure de l\u2019ap\u00e9ro<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(pre-dinner drink time).<\/p>\n

Desirez-vous un ap\u00e9ritif ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Would you like an aperitif?<\/p>\n

A waiter at a caf\u00e9 or restaurant might ask this in the late afternoon or early evening. A French ap\u00e9ritif<\/strong><\/em> is traditionally a drink such as a pastis<\/strong><\/em>, kir<\/strong><\/em>, or porto<\/strong><\/em> meant to whet the appetite.<\/p>\n

Among young people, to prendre l\u2019ap\u00e9ro<\/strong><\/em> is a fun, informal way to slowly start a night of partying.<\/p>\n

An ap\u00e9ro<\/i> <\/strong>can take place at a bar or caf\u00e9, but also at someone\u2019s home.\u00a0 In addition to traditional aperitifs, <\/i>you can also have beer, wine or even cocktails.<\/p>\n

Est-ce que vous avez des petites choses \u00e0 grignoter ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Do you have anything to snack on?<\/p>\n

As in the US, French bars will often offer small things to eat while you enjoy your afternoon or evening drinks.<\/p>\n

Take a look at these regional French food items<\/a> that may appear during your nighttime adventures.<\/p>\n

You can also ask:<\/p>\n

Est-ce que vous avez des chips ou des cacahu\u00e8tes ?<\/strong><\/em> (Do you have any chips or peanuts?)<\/p>\n

These are the most common bar snacks, but other places may offer cornichons<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/i>(pickles), <\/i>olives or even saucisson<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>(cured sausage).<\/p>\n

French Phrases for Ordering Drinks<\/h2>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

Je voudrais une pinte de blonde.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I would like a pint of pale ale, please.<\/p>\n

Blonde beers are the most common in France. This designation usually refers to the color rather than the kind of beer.<\/p>\n

Leffe and 1664 are two very popular beers in France.\u00a0 You can also ask for un demi<\/em><\/strong>, which is a half pint.<\/p>\n

Je prends un verre de ros\u00e9, s\u2019il vous pla\u00eet.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I\u2019ll have a glass of ros\u00e9 please.<\/p>\n

Ros\u00e9 is a popular wine for the summer time, drunk cold. You can also ask for a verre de blanc <\/em><\/strong>\/ <\/i>rouge<\/strong><\/em> (glass of white or red).<\/p>\n

On va prendre la bouteille.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> We\u2019ll take the bottle!<\/p>\n

Do make sure to share liberally!<\/p>\n

On peut avoir la m\u00eame chose, s\u2019il vous pla\u00eet ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Another round please!<\/p>\n

Literally meaning, \u201cCan we have the same thing, please?\u201d this phrase is the most simple for asking another round from the waiter.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling generous and want to pay the next round you would say:<\/p>\n

“Je paye ma tourn\u00e9e !”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If you want to ask the waiter for just your drink, you can say:<\/p>\n

\u201cEncore un autre, s\u2019il vous pla\u00eet.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Il est tr\u00e8s mignon, le barman !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> The bartender is really cute!<\/p>\n

Another reason to pay your round!<\/p>\n

On va prendre des shooters !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> We\u2019re going to take shots!<\/p>\n

French Phrases for Cheers and Making Toasts<\/h2>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/h3>\n

When you would like to trinquer<\/strong><\/em> (toast) someone, there are many ways to express the feeling of celebration!<\/p>\n

\u00c0 la votre !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To yours (your health)!<\/p>\n

This is the formal way to say it, or is also said to several people.<\/p>\n

\u00c0 la tienne !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To yours (your health)!<\/p>\n

The informal version, or to one person.<\/p>\n

Sant\u00e9 !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Health!<\/p>\n

Short and simple!<\/p>\n

Tchin tchin !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Clink clink!<\/p>\n

Literally the sound clink clink. <\/em>When you don’t actually go around the table clinking glasses, this is useful!<\/p>\n

French Phrases for Going Out<\/h2>\n

\"woman<\/a><\/p>\n

On s\u2019installe sur les quais ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Let\u2019s go sit on the quays?<\/p>\n

Another popular summer activity in Paris is to picnic and drink on the quays of Seine or the Canal St. Martin.<\/p>\n

As soon as the warm weather hits, hoards of young (and not so young!) Parisians will hit the banks of the canals with their bottles of wine, baguettes, and saucisson<\/strong>.<\/i><\/p>\n

As the sun sets quite late, this is an activity that can last for hours, with people coming and going. It is, however, advisable to arrive earlier rather than later as the more popular spots become crowded very quickly.<\/p>\n

Je vais organiser une pique-nique au Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I\u2019m going to organize a picnic at the Buttes-Chaumont park.<\/p>\n

Another great thing to do in Paris in the summertime is picnic in one of the many parks.<\/p>\n

Many have later hours during the summertime, and will stay open until the sun goes down.<\/p>\n

Like the quays, the parks will fill up with Parisians looking to enjoy their ap\u00e9ro <\/i>under the sun. Knowing some important summertime vocabulary<\/a>\u00a0will take you a long way while out enjoying the parks.<\/p>\n

On va danser en bo\u00eete ?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Let\u2019s go dance at the club?<\/p>\n

After the bar, Seine or the park, it\u2019s time for the bo\u00eete de nuit<\/strong><\/em>\u2014nightclub\u2014or discoth\u00e8que<\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n

In France, these usually are open much later than bars, which close at 2 am. The nightclubs won\u2019t start to fill up until after midnight, and can stay open until 6 am or later.<\/p>\n

This seems late, but, especially in Paris, many hard-core partygoers will stay out until the first metro starts running at 5:30 am.<\/p>\n

Je me suis fait dragu\u00e9(e) par le videur !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I got hit on by the bouncer!<\/p>\n

It happens.<\/p>\n

Je sors fumer une clope.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I\u2019m going out for a cigarette.<\/p>\n

Une clope<\/i><\/strong> is slang for a cigarette.<\/p>\n

Don’t forget, learning key slang words<\/a> is the best way to sound more natural in your new language.<\/p>\n

Unless there is a fumoir<\/strong><\/em> (smoking room) to enjoy one, you\u2019ll have to go outside of the bar or club.<\/p>\n

But you\u2019ll have lots of company!\u00a0 An easy way to strike up a conversation is to ask for a light:<\/p>\n

Vous avez du feu ?<\/strong><\/em>(Literally \u2013 do you have fire?)<\/p>\n

Je veux pas \u00eatre trop bourr\u00e9(e).<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I don\u2019t want to get too drunk.<\/p>\n

You can also say you don\u2019t want to be too so\u00fble<\/strong><\/em><\/i>, or that you don\u2019t want to be ivre-mort(e)<\/strong><\/em>, dead drunk.<\/p>\n

Il aime bien picoler !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> He likes drinking a little too much!<\/p>\n

To picoler<\/em> means to drink\u2014but a little too often and a little too much.<\/p>\n

Non<\/i>, il aime juste faire la f\u00eate !<\/i><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> No, he just likes to party!<\/p>\n

Il y a une grosse teuf chez ma copine.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> There\u2019s a big party at my friend\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

Teuf <\/i><\/strong>is the verlan<\/em><\/strong> (French slang that features the inversion of syllables) for f\u00eate<\/strong><\/em>, or party.<\/p>\n

Est-ce qu\u2019il y a un after?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Is there an after-party?<\/p>\n

For when the night’s still young and you’re still ready to go!<\/p>\n

French Phrases for the End of the Night<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Je vais rentrer, amusez-vous bien !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I\u2019m going home, have fun!<\/p>\n

If you feel like going home and your friends want to keep going, make sure to wish them a good time!<\/p>\n

Je suis fatigu\u00e9(e), j\u2019y vais.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I\u2019m tired, I\u2019m going.<\/p>\n

Sometimes your friends need to be convinced to let you leave. Make sure you have a good excuse ready:<\/p>\n

Il faut que je sois raisonnable, je travaille demain !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> I have to be reasonable, I\u2019m working tomorrow!<\/p>\n

A good reason to end your night early. Don’t fall for temptation!<\/p>\n

On va prendre un taxi.<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> We\u2019re going to take a taxi.<\/p>\n

In Paris, there are usually taxi stations near the metro or bus stops. You can also flag them down.<\/p>\n

There are also night buses that run until the metro starts.<\/p>\n

Nous, on attends le m\u00e9tro !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> We\u2019re going to wait for the metro!<\/p>\n

Rentrez-bien, bonne soir\u00e9e !<\/em><\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Get home safe, good night!<\/p>\n

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