Crash course on Québécois French
Let’s get you started on your Quebec French journey!
This is my first guide in English designed to give you a good overview of what makes our French different.
Read through it or listen to the audio!
🎤 Audio version is here 🎤
#1. The Quebec Accent is Not Difficult to Understand
I often hear people say:
"I don't understand Quebec French; your accent is complicated!"
But, in reality, it’s not the accent itself that makes it difficult to understand.
So what exactly is an accent?
An accent essentially refers to the pronunciation of vowels and consonants, as well as to the overall musicality and intonation of speech.
For example, if you listen to the French spoken on Radio-Canada, you’ll notice that the hosts speak clearly and use a type of French that’s easy to understand. My students frequently tell me they understand this type of French more easily.
However, even in this clear context, the accent remains unmistakably Québécois. It might be easy to follow, but it is still Québécois.
But what exactly constitutes a Québécois accent?
I’ll explain in a moment.
For now, the most important thing to remember about Quebecois French is that the accent itself isn’t really what complicates comprehension.
What actually makes understanding difficult are elements like contractions, grammatical peculiarities, subtle linguistic modifications, and a distinct vocabulary.
It’s this combination of factors that creates the challenge, rather than pronunciation alone.
#2. We have so many colourful expressions
One characteristic of Quebec French is the abundant use of colorful expressions rooted in Quebec’s rich and long history. Here are a few examples:
Être dans les patates 🥔
Être dans les patates literally means “to be in the potatoes.” It is a variation of the expression être dans le champ, which translates as “to be in the field,” and both expressions mean to be wrong or mistaken.
These expressions come from the image of a car that, after a wrong turn or poor driving maneuver, ends up in a potato field.
Personally, I tend to use être dans le champ more frequently, but both are common.
Note that we never combine the two into être dans le champ de patates!
C’est de valeur!
Here’s one of Quebec’s oldest expressions. When we say c’est de valeur, we do not mean “it's of value” but rather, “it’s a shame” or “that’s too bad.”
For example:
– Je pourrai pas être là pour ton anniversaire.
– Ah, c’est donc ben d’valeur!
According to one theory, the expression originated from First Nations languages. Initially, it meant something was worth considering carefully, implying interest without immediate commitment. Over time, the meaning evolved into one of regret or loss.
An example of its historical use appears in the Compte de Frontenac dating from 1691:
«Cet échec qui était de valeur pour eux (les Iroquois), pour me servir de leurs termes, parce que parmi leurs morts, il y avait de leurs principaux chefs…”
“This failure which was of value to them (the Iroquois), to use their terms, because among their dead were some of their principal chiefs...”
Despite its ancient origins, this expression remains very common today.
Avoir les yeux dans la graisse de bines 👀🫘
This is definitely one of my favorite Quebec expressions!
La graisse de bines refers to the fatty grease of baked beans, a traditional dish in Quebec (les fèves au lard).
To “have your eyes in bean grease” describes someone who looks extremely tired or drowsy – when eyelids droop and the whites of the eyes become more visible (like grease).
In casual speech with Quebec contractions, you’ll often hear:
Avoir 'es yeux dans' graisse de bines.
Être né pour un petit pain 🥖
Until Quebec’s Quiet Revolution (1960s), many Quebecers lived in considerable poverty. The phrase être né pour un petit pain, literally “to be born for a small loaf of bread,” expresses resignation to one’s humble fate and low expectations in life.
Historically, it illustrated accepting poverty without resistance:
On est nés pour un p’tit pain!
(“We were born destined for very little.”)
Today, the expression typically refers back to this historical context rather than a present-day situation.
Broche à foin
When Quebecers say something is broche à foin, it means it’s poorly done, disorganized, or sloppy.
The expression originates from metal pins (or wires) once used by farmers to bind hay bales. These makeshift bindings often broke, symbolizing poor craftsmanship or a lack of effectiveness.
We say something is broche à foin, without the article.
For example:
Ce spectacle-là, c’est vraiment broche à foin!
(“That show is really poorly organized!”)
This expression is extremely common, and you’ll frequently hear it used whenever something is badly organized or executed!
#3. Vocabulary to reflect our reality
Quebec French also has a rich vocabulary that differs significantly from the words typically used in France. This divergence arises partly from describing a reality that simply does not exist in France, as well as from the incorporation of English words that, over time, have been assimilated into Quebec French, often acquiring new or different meanings.
Blonde et chum
For example, to say girlfriend or boyfriend, we don’t typically use the French terms petite amie or petit ami, which are more common in France.
Instead, we say:
Une blonde (a girlfriend)
Un chum (a boyfriend)
Interestingly, the word un chum can also mean a friend in a non-romantic context. For instance:
Marc, c’est mon chum depuis l’école secondaire.
(“Marc has been my friend since high school.”)
Similarly, you can say:
Une chum (a female friend, non-romantic)
Une chum de fille (explicitly a female friend)
Dépanneur
Another distinctive example is the Quebecois word dépanneur, which refers to a local convenience store. However, a Quebec dépanneur doesn’t sell exactly the same items as a typical “corner store” elsewhere in the country.
In French, the verb dépanner means “to help out,” “to assist,” or “to provide a quick solution in a challenging situation.”
Thus, a dépanneur originally meant a store where you could buy essential items when other shops were closed, effectively “helping you out” when in need.
Today, in Quebec, the dépanneur remains the go-to place to buy beer, lottery tickets, cigarettes, snacks, and soft drinks! In fact, most depanneurs wouldn’t be able to stay in business without selling those items.
#4. Our Swear Words
In most languages, swear words revolve around sex or bodily functions. In Quebec, however, our swear words are primarily related to religion! We call these sacres.
Here are some common examples:
Osti or Estie: Derived from hostie, the communion wafer consecrated by the priest during mass.
Crisse: Comes from Christ.
Viarge: Derived from Vierge, the Virgin Mary.
Ciboire: Refers to the liturgical vessel (ciborium) that holds the communion wafers.
Simonaque: Comes from simonie (simony), the buying and selling of religious privileges or sacred objects.
Câlisse: From calice, the sacred chalice used during communion.
Tabarnak: Derived from tabernacle, a small cabinet on the altar used to store the ciborium.
Calvaire: Refers to Calvary, the hill where Jesus was crucified.
Not All Sacres Are Created Equal
Some sacres are relatively mild and can be used casually without much risk of offense:
Maudit (and variants: maudine, mautadine, mautadit)
Mausus
Sacrifice/Sacréfice
Esprit
Bâtard
Strong Sacres
The following sacres are considerably more vulgar and express stronger emotions:
Ciboire
Câlice
Ostie (and variants: estie, osti, sti)
Crisse
Sacrant
Powerful Sacres
There could be debate about which sacre is the strongest, but tabarnac typically takes the crown. I would also include sacrament here for its potent three-syllable punch:
Tabarnac!
Sacrament!
#5. An Abundance of Contractions
Another striking feature of Quebec French is the frequent use of contractions.
A contraction occurs when a word or phrase is simplified by removing certain sounds or syllables, generally to facilitate fast pronunciation.
Although contractions exist in French elsewhere, the phenomenon is particularly prominent in Quebec.
Examples of Common Contractions
Let's take a simple example using the phrase à la:
À la plage (to the beach) often becomes “À’a plage”
Here, two identical vowels (“a”) separated by a consonant (“l”) tend to merge.
Quebecers eliminate the consonant while retaining a slightly elongated vowel sound, indicating the presence of two distinct words.
Thus, “à la plage” is pronounced “à’a plage,”with an extended “a” sound.
Analogies with Other Romance Languages
These Quebec contractions occasionally resemble similar patterns found in other Romance languages, such as Italian or Portuguese.
For instance, in Italian, the preposition su combined with the definite article il becomes sul. Quebec French exhibits a similar contraction:
Sur le divan (on the couch) becomes “su’l divan”
In this example, the consonant “r” disappears to facilitate smooth pronunciation.
Such contractions are extremely common in everyday Quebec French.
#6. We Use English Words Differently
Anglicisms aren’t exclusive to Quebec. They’re common in France too!
However, it’s true that Quebecers have a reputation for using a considerable number of them.
What’s particularly interesting is that many of these anglicisms, deeply rooted in Quebec French, have evolved to the point that they no longer mean exactly the same thing as their English originals.
Over time, these words have been integrated, adapted, and sometimes completely transformed.
Anglicisms... but Not Quite the Same
For instance, in France, people say:
“C’est fun!” (It’s fun!), directly using the English word “fun.”
In Quebec, we instead add the definite article “le,” making the expression uniquely Quebecois:
“C’est le fun!”
Examples:
“C’était le fun de te voir!” (It was nice/fun to see you!)
“Ce spectacle-là était le fun!” (That show was fun!)
Another example is the word “hot”, pronounced without the initial “h” (as in English), and meaning something exciting, cool, impressive, or intense:
“C’était hot, ce spectacle-là!” (That show was amazing!)
Gender Differences
Some anglicisms also differ in grammatical gender between France and Quebec:
In France: un job (a job, masculine)
In Quebec: une job (a job, feminine)
Sometimes the difference goes the other way around. Quebecers have created French-based alternatives for certain anglicisms that are commonly used in France:
In France: faire du shopping (to go shopping)
In Quebec: magasiner (to shop)
#7. The Use of Words that are Old or Rare in France
Quebec French is also characterized by the presence of words considered outdated, old-fashioned, or literary in France, but still very much alive in everyday Quebec speech.
Archaic Words Still in Use
Here are just a few examples of words that have practically disappeared from everyday French usage in France but remain quite common in Quebec:
Ennuyant / Ennuyante
In France, the common adjective meaning “boring” or “dull” is ennuyeux/ennuyeuse.
In Quebec, however, we frequently use:
Ennuyant / Ennuyante
Example:
Ce film-là était vraiment ennuyant. (“That movie was really boring.”)
Both versions appear in dictionaries, but in France, ennuyant tends to be perceived as archaic or literary, while in Quebec, it's still part of our everyday vocabulary.
Noirceur
This word means darkness and remains widely used in Quebec.
In France, however, noirceur is considered archaic and is rarely encountered in everyday speech.
Example:
On revient avant la noirceur. (“We’ll be back before dark.”)
V’là!
In Quebec, we use an older, abbreviated way of expressing elapsed time, derived from voilà.
In France, one would typically say:
Il y a cinq ans… (“Five years ago…”)
In Quebec, however, we often say:
V’là cinq ans, j’suis allé en voyage en France. (“Five years ago, I traveled to France.”)
This use of v’là (shortened from voilà) is still found in literary or poetic contexts in France—for example:
Voilà dix ans que je ne l’ai pas vue. (“It’s been ten years since I've seen her.”)
In Quebec, however, this phrasing is perfectly common and has no literary or formal connotations. We simply say:
V’là dix ans, j’ai déménagé à Montréal. (“Ten years ago, I moved to Montreal.”)
#8. Transformed Pronouns
In Quebec French, pronouns undergo several phonetic transformations that set them apart from the French spoken in France. Of course, some contractions exist in France as well. In France, for instance, you often hear:
“Il m’a dit” (he told me) pronounced as “y m’a dit.”
In Quebec, however, these contractions are even more extensive, particularly when a verb begins with a vowel:
“Il a dit” (he said) becomes “y’a dit.”
Pronoun Transformations: Elle → a
The pronoun “elle” undergoes numerous transformations in Quebec French. It can be pronounced as a simple “a” sound, or sometimes disappear entirely!
Here are a few examples:
“A m’a dit qu’alle arriverait en retard”
(Elle m’a dit qu’elle arriverait en retard)
She told me she’d be late“Est allée voir sa mère”
(Elle est allée voir sa mère)
She went to see her mother“Alle a pas le temps de venir te voir”
(Elle n’a pas le temps de venir te voir)
She doesn’t have time to come see you“A m’en a pas parlé”
(Elle ne m’en a pas parlé)
She didn’t tell me about it“C’est drôle qu’a soit pas certaine de ce qu’alle a dit”
(C’est drôle qu’elle ne soit pas certaine de ce qu’elle a dit)
It’s funny she’s not sure of what she said“A y’a dit qu’est pas certaine”
(Elle lui a dit qu’elle n’est pas certaine)
She told him she isn’t sure
Why Does This Pronoun Change So Much?
Some linguists refer to old popular pronunciations from northern France, although I don’t find these explanations particularly convincing. In any case, the exact reasons aren’t really important. What matters is to understand how it works in practice.
Two Main Factors Involved
The vowel shift: the “e” sound in elle becomes an “a” sound (alle → a).
Vowel interactions: the presence of vowels in the following word may "swallow" or eliminate vowels in the pronoun elle, making it shorter or nearly disappear.
#9. We Have Several Levels of Language, Depending on the Context
As mentioned at the outset, Quebec French is not an officially distinct language but rather a particular register. It’s the informal, everyday language you hear on the street, at home, or among friends. But this colloquial register is far from the only one used in Quebec.
A Language with Many Registers
It's not true that Quebecers always speak the same way in every situation.
In fact, just as with all varieties of French, our language changes according to context.
We naturally adapt vocabulary, expressions, and pronunciation depending on the environment, the person we’re speaking with, and the purpose of the conversation.
Adapting Your Register to the Situation
This means that colloquial Quebecois expressions aren’t appropriate for all situations.
Many students learn highly Quebecois words like char (for voiture, meaning “car”) and enthusiastically start using them everywhere. However, it’s crucial to learn to recognize when these expressions are suitable.
For example, speaking casually with a local garage mechanic:
“Mon char fait un drôle de bruit!”
(My car is making a weird noise!)
However, in a more formal or professional context, such as speaking with a dealership salesperson during a negotiation, you would likely say:
“J’ai un petit problème avec ma voiture”
(I have a small issue with my car)
Similarly, among friends, you'd say
“J’ai juste 20 piass!”
(I only have 20 bucks!)
At the bank, in a formal context, you’d say:
“Il me faudrait 200 000 dollars pour conclure cette transaction”
(I’ll need 200,000 dollars to finalize this transaction)
Recognizing these different language levels and knowing how to shift between them naturally is key to mastering Quebec French and communicating effectively in all circumstances.
#10. How to Really Learn Quebec French
One common issue French learners encounter is that most teachers and resources focus exclusively on France-centric French.
However, my students who actively practice Quebec French find our accent surprisingly easy to understand once they’re familiar with it.
Many teachers mistakenly treat distinctively Quebecois features as “mistakes” to avoid.
They rarely explain the reasons behind Quebec-specific vocabulary or grammatical structures. Since most French instructors aren’t trained specifically in Quebec French, this can make understanding local speech especially challenging.
My Unique Approach to Teaching French
What sets me apart is that I’ve been through this language-learning process myself —successfully mastering English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese.
I’ve taught more than 3,000 private lessons on Italki to hundreds of students, gaining valuable insights into effective language teaching.
Now, through French With Frederic, I design new and engaging classes every week for our growing community.
My Passion for Teaching French
I teach French exactly how I’ve learned languages myself! My goal is for you to speak excellent French: grammatically correct and rich in vocabulary, yet distinctly Quebecois in accent and vocabulary.
My Model for Teaching Quebec French
My French teaching is modeled on:
The Montreal accent (the most standard Quebecois accent)
The educated Quebecois speech style
A balanced use of Quebecois expressions within a precise, polished vocabulary
In short, I teach a French that’s authentically Quebecois, yet versatile enough for confident use anywhere in the Francophone world
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