10 Fun Facts About the French Language You (Probably) Don’t Know!
Whether you’re on Erasmus or volunteering in France or Belgium, you come across this surprising language every day. French is not just a language to learn — it’s a playground full of anecdotes and curiosities. Here are 10 fun facts to better understand it and impress your friends!
1. French is a Romance language… but with many Germanic influences
French belongs to the Romance languages, meaning it comes directly from Latin. However, it has been heavily influenced by other languages, especially Germanic ones. After the fall of the Roman Empire, invasions by Germanic peoples like the Franks introduced new words and structures into French. For example, words such as “hache” (axe), “jardin” (garden), and “fou” (crazy) come from Germanic origins. But Latin wasn’t the only influence! The Celts also left their mark on words related to nature, like “forêt” (forest). French is therefore a hybrid language — heir to Latin but deeply shaped by the peoples who passed through France’s history. That’s what makes it rich, nuanced, and… sometimes tricky to master!
2. French was one of the first languages in the world to be standardized
As early as the 17th century, French began to be structured under the influence of the Académie Française, created in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu. At that time, the language varied a lot from one region to another. The Académie’s mission was to centralize and codify French by defining spelling, grammar, and syntax rules. This brought consistency to the language, which was essential for a vast kingdom. Today, the Académie still regulates the evolution of French by adding new words and expressions while maintaining its grammatical rules. It took centuries for a “standard” French to become widespread — and the language continues to evolve.
3. The longest and shortest words in French
French loves long words, especially when it comes to legal or scientific terms. The longest word is “anticonstitutionnellement” (25 letters), meaning “in a way that is against the constitution.” Although often used to show off, it does have a real purpose in politics and law. On the opposite end, the shortest word in French is “y” — just one letter! It replaces a place or object in a sentence, like in “Tu vas à la bibliothèque ? Oui, j’y vais.” (“Are you going to the library? Yes, I’m going there.”) These extremes show how French can be both complex and simple at the same time.
4. French has unique sounds — some found almost nowhere else
French loves to play with sound. If you’ve ever tried to pronounce certain French words, you know there are unique sounds that don’t exist in many other languages. Nasal vowels are one of them — when you say “sans,” “bon,” or “un,” you let air pass through your nose. The French guttural “r,” pronounced at the back of the throat, is another sound that’s rare worldwide. Other distinctive sounds include the vowel [œ], as in “sœur” (sister). These sounds may be challenging for learners but contribute greatly to the melody of the language.
5. Belgian French has its own style
French spoken in Belgium is slightly different from French in France. If you’re in Belgium, you’ll hear words like “septante” (70) and “nonante” (90), which don’t exist in France. Belgium (and Switzerland) kept this base-10 system, while France uses more complex forms. Belgians also use unique everyday terms: “une couque” (a chocolate pastry) and “un kot” (a student room). Belgian French is a delightful mix of culture, history, and linguistic creativity!
6. French loves borrowing words
French has a long tradition of borrowing from other languages. For example, “bazar” comes from the Persian “bāzār,” meaning market. French also borrowed many words from Italian, such as “balcon,” “pizza,” and “piano,” especially during periods of intense cultural exchange. Today, English contributes a lot: “week-end,” “cool,” and “lobby” are now commonplace among younger generations. These borrowings reflect centuries of cultural and commercial contact.
7. “Où” is the only French word with a grave accent on the letter “u”
The grave accent (`) in French appears on e, a, and u — but only one word uses it on u: “où,” meaning “where.” This small accent distinguishes it from “ou,” which means “or.” It’s a good example of how precise French can be: every tiny detail matters!
8. French numbers are complicated… but not everywhere
The French number system is one of the most complex in Europe. In France, 70 is “soixante-dix” (sixty-ten), 80 is “quatre-vingts” (four twenties), and 90 is “quatre-vingt-dix.” But in Belgium and Switzerland, it’s much simpler: “septante,” “octante” (sometimes), and “nonante.” These regional differences can be confusing for learners but highlight the diversity of the French-speaking world.
9. Verlan flips everything
Verlan is a playful linguistic practice that consists of reversing the syllables of words. This creates new terms like :
- “Ouf” (fou = crazy)
- “Chanmé” (méchant = mean)
- “Relou” (lourd = annoying)
- “Teuf” (fête = party)
It’s widely used among young people, in music, movies, and everyday conversations. Verlan doesn’t always follow strict grammatical rules, giving it a fun and rebellious vibe.
10. French loves vivid expressions
French is full of colorful expressions that can surprise learners:
- “Poser un lapin” = to stand someone up
- “Avoir le cafard” = to feel down
- “Raconter des salades” = to tell lies or exaggerated stories
These expressions create vivid images that bring humor and poetry to daily conversation.
Conclusion
French is a language full of history, unique sounds, fun exceptions, and creativity. Whether you’re on Erasmus or volunteering in France or Belgium, have fun noticing these quirks around you. And above all: speak, try, make mistakes… that’s how you’ll improve!
Lilas, OLS Community Manager — French