No matter where you go, gay lingo will always be colorful, witty, unabashed, and quite delightful. French gay slang is no different.
French gay-speak is generally translated from English/American gay slang, and as with its heterosexual counterpart, it is best to know a thing or two about it, whatever your sexuality.
If you are curious about gay slang and how to say gay, lesbian, or homosexual in French, we compiled a list for you!
A word of caution though, this article is not for everyone as it contains some sexual terminology that may be offensive to some.
So, if you are sensitive to this sort of thing, please stop now. If not, then check out the list of slang words grouped into two: gay guy lingo, and lesbian slang.
You can also download this list in PDF format.
French slang for Gay men
| French gay slang | In English | What it means |
| Actif | top | The gay partner who plays the active role in sexual activity |
| Passif | Bottom | The gay person at the receiving end of sexual activity; the passive sexual partner |
| Un Ours / Un bear | A bear | A term for a bigger, hairier and older gay guy. |
| Calinodrôme | “Hugport/ Hugdrome” (made-up word) | A concept by the de l'Association “Les Flamands Roses” where a group of LGBT partners can engage in affectionate (hugs= calins) but non-sexual activity |
| Chaser (or Chasseur) | A bear chaser | This is basically a gay guy who prefers and pursues “bears”. |
| Comtesse | Countess | A homosexual (usually of regular age) who is well-mannered, elegant and often financially secure |
| Ourson | Bear cub | A big, hairy, but younger gay guy |
| Copine | girlfriend | The female counterpart of “copain” which means buddy or friend. Usually used when talking to another gay person in specific places. |
| Crevette / Minet | Twink | A younger, thinner, non-hairy gay guy. |
| Daddy | Daddy | A financially stable and mature gay guy. |
| Dinde | Turkey | An effeminate gay who keeps abreast with fashion. Basically a gay metrosexual. |
| Discret | Discreet | A reserved and secretive gay guy who manages his sexual liaisons privately. |
| Eddy | A homophobic person with violent tendencies. | |
| FAP (or Fag Hag) | Fag Hag | A female who prefers gay friends |
| Folle (or Follasse) | Queen | An effeminate gay man |
| Giton | A freeloader financially supported by a mature gay man. | |
| Grande dame | A somewhat aloof gay adult who flamboyantly parades around in bars and generally ignores the other guests | |
| Grande folle | A gay male with highly exaggerated feminine appearance. | |
| Loutre | Otter | A hairy (but thin) gay man. |
| Roux | Ginger | A gay guy with red hair. |
| Sportif | Jock | A sporty gay guy with an athletic build. |
| Ours Polaire | Polar bear | An old, hairy gay guy with greying or white hair |
| Sub. | Submissive | A gay man who likes to play a subordinate and passive sexual role. |
| Triaudes | A place where gay people meet up. | |
| Vanilla | A soft sexual play; a non-kinky kind of sexual activity | |
| YAG (Gay upside down) | Homosexuals who refuse to be associated with a gay group or community and are recognised by their lifestyle. |
French slang for Lesbians
Lesbians have their own set of slang lingo too. We’ve listed some of the most common below.
| French lesbian slang | In English | What it means |
| Balasko | The derogatory term for a masculine, typically aggressive lesbian (named after the character of a movie played by the actress Josiane Balasko in the film Gazon maudit or “French Twist”). | |
| Butch | Butch | A very mannish lesbian with masculine looks, behaviour, attire, language and interests. Similar to “truck driver” |
| Bolès Lesbienne | Lesbian | A derogatory term for lesbian, originating from the Anglo-American term “lesbo”. But seen as insulting |
| Camionneuse | Truck driver | A lesbian with no feminine aspects whatsoever; a bull-dyke |
| Étoile d'or | “A gold star” | A lesbian who has never tried sex with a man. |
| Fem | Feminine | A lesbian who does not try to reject her feminine side and still acts or dresses the part. |
| Futch/bem | Futch | A lesbian looks feminine, but has a masculine dress and/or style. |
| La sexualité Bambi | “The Bambi sexuality” | Physical interaction revolving mostly on touching, kissing and fondling |
| Lesbienne Lipstick « rouge à lèvres » | Lesbian “lipstick” | A very feminine and stylish dress code for lesbians |
Do you want to learn more French slang terms? Check out the French Vocabulary Mastery Course and get 20,000+ French words, slang expressions, and idiomatic expressions.
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Conclusion
French gay slang, like its counterparts in English and other languages can be pretty funny but also offensive. You can also use it to converse the LGBTQ+ community and being gay in French. Use with caution! Remember to be always respectful and kind.
In case you want to add more or know the English slang for some of the items mentioned above, feel free to sound off in the comments section.
For more related readings, check out the following:
What is it like to be gay in France? (Podcast #40)
Merci pour ces phrases utiles, bien que beaucoup sont trop brut.
How do you say “versatile” for gay men’s sexual position/preference in French? I’ve tried directly translating it but most people don’t immediately understand. “Les deux” works sometimes, but doesn’t really convey the same as the English term. What do you think?
French gay people seem to understand the word “versatile” with the context. I looked it up and it seems gay people also say “autoreverse”.
Lol. Tres bien. J’aime ton article 😉
Will you help me with something? I can’t seem to find this anywhere. I’m writing a paper for a French class about gay rights and want to make sure I’m using a word for gay that is the most respectful but not too informal. The Internet seems to say the best translation for gay in French is “homosexuel” but I hesitate to use it because in English I would never use “homosexual,” I would always say “gay” even in a formal context. Do I use “homosexual”? “Gay”? Something different? And is it appropriate to refer to both men and women?
We can use “gay” and “lesbienne” as well. But gay is also ok for women.
I have taken several years of French in college, and I have acquired a penchant for French gay pornography. In almost every video I hear one of the men say at various times a very short phrase which I have not heard used and do not
understand. To my American ear, it sounds like “piton” (python) or even more so like “pis tant”. I have tried several French dictionaries and have searched online for obscure French slang, but to no avail. Frankly, I am desperate. Could someone please tell me what these guys are saying? Merci beaucoup!
I think it is “Putain”. It is like the f-word. But the original meaning is “prostitute”.
Isn’t Putain also that heart attack on a plate served for breakfast in Quebec?
It is poutine (pronounce like poo teen) .
I am going to Montreal next spring. If I’m in a gay bar and club and I make eye contact with a guy..what is said when you want to hook up with him. I’d like a seductive version and not a Donald Trump pick up approach.
Hum I am not sure. If someone can answer your question. Don’t hesitate to reply here.
Hey! Thanks for the useful article 😉
Just wondering, is there an equivalent term for ‘queer’ in French, by which a mean the reclaimed umbrella term meaning non-heterosexual and cisgender. Thanks!
Is there any french song using this slang?
Maybe but I don’t know any of them.
American gay here in Paris on holiday. Wondering about “new” pronoun usage and queer labels ie, they/them (non-binary), poly-sexual, etc. Is this part of French gay vernacular, accepted?