flirting in french; god, how i would love to be smooth in any language. i’d like to think this is pretty important - as this is part of socializing in any language. flirtation is a very different thing than “picking up.” picking up is a kind of hunting game with a very pointed and invariable goal. flirtation, at least in france, is a totally different thing. it’s a different culture, a different lifestyle. it’s a way of being in everyday life, and unlike picking up, it has no defined goal. sometimes the french flirt because it’s just delightful to do so. think salt to pepper relationship. allowing each one to check, and at different levels, if he or she still has some charm operating.
i would say that simple is always best: merely walk up to your chosen girl or guy and say je vous trouve absolument charmante, or i find you absolutely charming / beautiful. be classy and to the point. with that and mind, read on!
so; why flirt in french?
well, french is a sexy language. not going to lie.
it’s the planet’s most-hyped language of love.
reaching that level of fluency feels amazing.
it gives you that confidence. social confidence.
helps to develop communication skills.
french learning and french flirting
let’s face it: in france, (or in any country for that matter), nobody speaks like a textbook, the president, or a language learning site (i’m looking at you, duolingo). it’s great for memorizing the fundamentals, but lacks that extra step that stands between you and complete fluency.
flirting is part of socializing - and linguistically (i don’t know, it helped with me) it improves retention. it’s also just interesting to learn!
flirting is just well.. fun. even if it doesn’t go anywhere.
a bit of verbal charm isn’t always necessary : but in my opinion, it helps you sound more natural / at ease / friendly.
i somewhat lack verbal charm (i’m very, very awkward in social situations) so i probably need this masterpost as much as anyone else (:
the classics: make love last. this is based upon what i’ve heard at school / restaurants / bars. okay fine: it’s based on the movies i’ve watched too.
j’ai envie de t’embrasser / embrasse-moi - kiss me.. annouce it - make your intentions known! ‘i’d like to kiss you’ - okay, you could just kiss someone instead of letting them know. but i don’t know.. there’s something romantic about it? best with a longing, meaningful stare.
je t’aime: i’m pretty sure we all know this one. best with someone you care deeply for, i wouldn’t say this on a first date - but if you’re the direct type : this can help you get from a to z pretty quickly.
the simple compliments using these with a flirty look / tone of voice can do wonders. play with your expression while practicing these: it makes a difference, trust me. t’es toujours canon toi ou quoi? you can also add trop ( = too). example: trop belle, trop mignon(ne). you can also add tellement ( = so) example: t’es tellement belle! you can also add si ( = so) example: t’es si mignonne. you can also use grave ( = totally) example: t’es grave belle.
t’es mignon(ne).
t’es belle (/beau), toi.
t’es canon. ( = you’re smoking hot).
t’es con. ( = you’re an idiot) - i’ve seen this used a lot flirtatiously.
t’es drôle. ( = you’re funny)
t’es magnifique.
t’es charmant(e).
t'es coquin / coquine! ( = you’re such a tease.)
the ‘social and the flirty’ these can be used as compliments / or flirtatiously. depends on your relationship with the person you’re giving them to.
cette beauté chaton, tu m’ éblouie. ( = you dazzle me with your beauty.)
une beauté divine. ( = a divine beauty or: you’re so divine.)
ouloulouloulouloulou. ( = you really have to hear this one.)
tu brilles de mille feux.
j'te pécho. ( = like the equivalent of ‘to pick up someone’ in english).
bg, or beau / belle gosse ( = hot guy, hot girl).
une petite merveille. ( = a wonder, someone to be marveled at).
une bombe. ( = bombshell, someone pretty - same thing as ‘belle gosse’.)
le petit côté mystérieux femme fatale je kiffe. - je kiffe means i like.
la beauté à l état pur ( = beauty at its purest form).
dingue! ( = crazy, as in crazy beautiful).
j'ai pas les mots.( = i have no words).
wahhh, la classe! ( = classy!)
c’est fou, tant de beauté ( = you’re so beautiful, it’s crazy.)
flirting at a bar or restaurant?
t’as d’beaux yeux, tu sais? the phrase ‘you’ve got beautiful eyes’ pretty much works in any language (though, i think it sounds extra gorgeous in french). the phrase actually comes from a french film called le quai des brumes. fair warning: this is an extreme cliché, : it’s basically the english equivalent of do you come here often? it can be said ironically, if you’re not the cliché type.
je peux t’offrir / vous (formal) un verre ? : can i buy you a drink?
vous êtes célibataire ? mais comment est-ce possible ? - you’re single? but how’s that possible?
vous venez souvent ici ? - do you come here often? classic. a phrase that transcends cultural barriers: “ the sentence could be followed up by complaints — about the bartender, about the clients or about how the bar isn’t as good as it used to be. a french tradition is râler, a sort of complaining. finding things to complain about is a way that many french people choose to bond with new acquaintances. this is not true of anyone.
t’as une miette (you’ve got a crumb) as you pretend to stroke something off of someone’s face, first with your fingers, then with your lips.
tu m’excites ! ( = you turn me on.)
“j’ai une première édition de ‘à la recherche du temps perdu.’ tu veux le voir ?” - i have the first edition of “in search of lost time. (written by proust). do you want to see it?” in france (for me, at least) cultural knowledge is sexy. in America, we often ask if you’d like a nightcap. choose something cultural and intellectual in france, and you’re far more likely to get a oui.
je veux te revoir. ( = i want to see you again.)
quoi de beau? ( = how you doin’ - joey, friends.)
excuse-moi. est-ce que t’embrasses les inconnus ? non ? donc, je me présente. excuse me, do you kiss strangers? No? then let me introduce myself.
excuse-moi, j'ai perdu mon numero de téléphone. est-ce que je peux t'emprunter le tien?“ excuse me, i seem to have lost my phone number. could I borrow yours?
let me know if you’d like to know more! you can never be too charming.