Shortened French Words You’ll Hear Every Day

When moving to France or Switzerland, many expatriates quickly discover that the French they studied in textbooks is not always the French they hear on the street.

One of the quirks of everyday spoken French is the use of mots raccourcis — shortened words that locals use constantly in casual conversations.

If you’ve ever been confused when someone says, “On se retrouve au resto après le ciné?”, don’t worry — you’re not alone! Let’s dive into this fun aspect of French language and culture.

1)      What Are Shortened French Words?

Shortened French words, or “abréviations familières”, are words that have been clipped to make them shorter, easier, and faster to say. Instead of the full word, French speakers often drop syllables and use a more relaxed form.

Télé = télévision

Ciné = cinéma

Resto = restaurant

Kiné = kinésithérapeute (physiotherapist)

These shorter forms are not slang — they are widely accepted in everyday spoken French and even appear in writing, especially in advertisements, menus, and casual emails.

2)      Why Do the French Shorten Words?

a. Convenience : It’s quicker to say “Je regarde la télé” than “Je regarde la télévision.”

b. Casual tone: Shortened words give conversations a relaxed, friendly feeling.

c. Cultural habit: Just like English speakers say “photo” instead of “photograph” or “bike” instead of “bicycle,” French people also prefer shortcuts.

For expatriates, learning these forms is essential to understanding daily conversations and sounding more natural in French.

3) Common Shortened French Words You’ll Hear

Here’s a list of frequently used “mots raccourcis” that you’re likely to encounter in France and Switzerland:

La télé → télévision (TV)

Le ciné → cinéma (the movies)

Le resto → restaurant (restaurant)

Le vélo → vélocipède (bike)

Un apéro → apéritif (pre-dinner drink/snack)

Un frigo → réfrigérateur (fridge)

Un ado → adolescent (teenager)

Une photo → photographie (photo)

Le dico → dictionnaire (dictionary)

Un prof → professeur (teacher/professor)

Some of these shortened forms are now so common that many people forget the original word!

4)      Tips for Expatriates

1. Listen carefully in daily life – In cafés, at the office, or with friends, you’ll hear shortened words constantly.

2. Don’t be afraid to use them – Saying “resto” instead of “restaurant” makes you sound more natural.

3. Know the context – These forms are perfect in casual speech, but in very formal situations (like academic writing or official documents), stick with the full word.

4. Practice with locals – Try repeating these words in conversations. French speakers will appreciate the effort and you’ll blend in faster.

   
   

5) Learn Faster with Online Private French Lessons

If you want to master these shortened words and other nuances of everyday spoken French, one of the best options is to take online private French lessons. With personalized guidance, you can focus on the expressions and vocabulary that you’ll actually hear in real life, not just in textbooks. Online private French lessons give you the flexibility to learn from anywhere in the world, at your own pace, while benefiting from one-to-one interaction with a native teacher who can correct your pronunciation, answer your questions instantly, and help you sound more natural when speaking.

Final Thoughts

For expatriates in France and Switzerland, learning and using shortened French words is a small but powerful step toward fluency. These everyday expressions not only help you understand conversations better but also make you sound more like a local.

So next time someone says, “On va au resto après le ciné?”, you’ll know exactly what they mean — and you’ll be ready to say, “Avec plaisir!”

Are you an expat in France or Switzerland struggling with everyday French?

As a French tutor specializing in teaching French to expatriates, I can help you build confidence in real-life conversations — from formal French to casual shortcuts like télé, resto, and ciné.

👉 Contact me today at frenchavecaudrey@gmail.com to book your first lesson and start speaking like a local!

À bientôt!

Audrey, your French teacher 👩‍🏫