How to Speak African French Like a Local: 10 Expressions You Won’t Learn in School
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If you’ve ever tried chatting with someone from Abidjan, Douala, Kinshasa, or Dakar in “textbook” French, you probably realized fast: it’s a different game out here. African French is not the polished classroom version; it’s alive, rhythmic, and full of street wisdom. It bends rules, borrows from local languages, and adds humor you won’t find in Parisian French. Whether you’re learning to connect with friends, travel across Francophone Africa, or just sound less like a tourist, these 10 real-life expressions will help you speak French the African way: bold, warm, and unforgettable.
Why African French Feels So Different (and So Alive)
French in Africa doesn’t sound like the one from Paris, and that’s exactly what makes it magical.
It’s playful, emotional, and soaked in culture.
Across 29 African countries, millions of people have made French their own, blending it with Wolof, Lingala, Bambara, Yoruba, Swahili, and more.
So when you hear someone in Abidjan say, “Mon vieux, ça chauffe ici!” (My guy, things are hot here!), they’re not talking about the weather; they’re talking about life, vibes, and survival.
This isn’t “textbook” French.
This is African French – real, rhythmic, and raw.
10 Real Expressions You’ll Hear in African Streets
Here are ten phrases you won’t find in a schoolbook, but you’ll hear every day in Francophone Africa.
1. “Ça chauffe !”
Literal meaning: It’s hot.
Real meaning: Things are intense / It’s happening / Trouble is brewing.
Used in: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC
“Tu as vu le match hier ? — Oui, mon frère, ça chauffe !”
(You saw the match yesterday? — Yeah, bro, it was fire!)
2. “C’est doux.”
Literal meaning: It’s sweet.
Real meaning: It’s enjoyable, nice, or delicious.
Used in: Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo
“Ta musique là, c’est doux hein !”
(That music of yours, it’s so good!)
3. “Mon vieux / Ma vieille”
Literal meaning: My old man / My old woman
Real meaning: My buddy, my pal (used affectionately between friends.)
Used in: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon
“Mon vieux, on sort ce soir ?”
(Bro, are we going out tonight?)
4. “Petite / Petit”
Literal meaning: Small girl / Small boy
Real meaning: Girlfriend / boyfriend / younger person
Used in: Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire
“C’est ma petite là-bas.”
(That’s my girl over there.)
5. “Il fait comment ?”
Literal meaning: How does he do?
Real meaning: How’s it going? / What’s up?
Used in: Cameroon
“Hey, il fait comment ton frère ?”
(Hey, how’s your brother doing?)
6. “Y a pas match.”
Literal meaning: There’s no match.
Real meaning: There’s no competition / It’s clear who’s the best.
Used in: Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal
“Entre ton riz gras et le sien, y a pas match !”
(Between your rice and hers, no competition!)
7. “On est ensemble.”
Literal meaning: We are together.
Real meaning: Solidarity, unity, friendship.
Used everywhere in Francophone Africa.
“Merci pour hier, hein.”
“Toujours, on est ensemble.”
(Thanks for yesterday. Always, we’re together.)
8. “Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid.”
Literal meaning: Little by little, the bird builds its nest.
Real meaning: Take your time; success comes slowly.
Used in: West and Central Africa
“Tu apprends le français ? T’inquiète, petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid.”
(You’re learning French? Don’t worry, step by step you’ll get there.)
9. “Tchop / Tchop-chop”
Literal meaning: (No literal; local slang)
Real meaning: To eat / food
Used in: Cameroon, Congo
“Tu as tchop quoi aujourd’hui ?”
(What did you eat today?)
10. “C’est gâté.”
Literal meaning: It’s spoiled.
Real meaning: It’s messed up / Things went wrong / Situation’s bad.
Used in: Côte d’Ivoire, DRC
“Tu as perdu ton téléphone ? Aïe… c’est gâté !”
(You lost your phone? Damn… that’s bad!)
The Culture Behind the Words
Each of these expressions tells a story: a story of adaptation, resilience, and identity.
African French grew not from textbooks, but from the streets, the markets, the taxis, the music.
When Africans adopted French, they didn’t just speak it; they reshaped it to fit their rhythm, tone, and humor.
“On est ensemble” isn’t just a phrase. It’s Ubuntu in French.
“Ça chauffe” captures the daily drama and laughter of urban Africa.
“C’est doux” brings warmth and melody to even the simplest compliment.
It’s the sound of belonging and the reason why African French feels alive.
Quick Tips to Sound More Local
✅ Drop the formality.
Say “ça va bien, hein ?” instead of “comment allez-vous ?” it’s friendlier.
✅ Play with tone.
African French is rhythmic. Stretch vowels and use emotion.
“Aaaah, mon frère, t’es là !”
✅ Mix French with local words.
Don’t be afraid to say:
“C’est trop nyama-nyama” (Lingala slang for “messy”).
✅ Listen to African music.
Songs by artists like Yemi Alade (Francophone collabs), Fally Ipupa, Aya Nakamura, and Didi B are walking language lessons.
✅ Use humor and emotion.
African French is social; it’s about energy as much as grammar.
FAQs
Q1: Is African French different from Standard French?
Yes, it uses the same grammar but richer local vocabulary, rhythms, and idioms. Think of it as real-world French with African soul.
Q2: Can I use these expressions in France or Canada?
Some, yes, but most are uniquely African. In Paris, they might sound “cool”; in Abidjan, they sound natural.
Q3: Which countries use African French the most?
Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, DRC, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Mali, but variations exist in all 29 Francophone countries.
Q4: How can I practice African French daily?
Watch African YouTubers, listen to Francophone Afrobeats, and join conversations in the NKENNE app; we teach you through real context.
Q5: Is African French easier to learn than European French?
For many learners, yes, it’s more intuitive, expressive, and forgiving. The grammar stays, but the vibe is freer.
Closing Thought
Speaking African French isn’t about perfect grammar; it’s about connection.
When you say “On est ensemble”, you’re not just speaking; you’re belonging.
So next time you walk the streets of Abidjan or Kinshasa and someone greets you, answer with confidence:
“Mon vieux, ça chauffe hein ?” 🔥
And just like that, you’re one of them.