Bedeutung
I feel too lazy or unmotivated to do something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, 'la flemme' is often associated with the 'bobo' (bourgeois-bohemian) lifestyle—young urbanites who are 'overwhelmed' by their social lives and use laziness as a form of self-care. While 'flemme' is understood, Quebecers often use 'avoir la paresse' or the adjective 'lâche'. However, 'flemme' is gaining ground among younger generations due to French YouTube and Netflix content. Belgians use 'flemme' similarly to the French, but you might also hear 'avoir la cagne' in some southern regions, which carries a similar meaning of heat-induced laziness. In countries like Ivory Coast, 'la flemme' is used but often competes with local expressions like 'être mou' or specific Nouchi terms for lack of energy.
The 'Flemme' Reply
In a text, just writing 'Flemme.' is the ultimate way to show you're too lazy to even finish the sentence.
Don't use with 'être'
Saying 'Je suis flemme' is the #1 giveaway that you are a beginner. Stick to 'J'ai'.
Bedeutung
I feel too lazy or unmotivated to do something.
The 'Flemme' Reply
In a text, just writing 'Flemme.' is the ultimate way to show you're too lazy to even finish the sentence.
Don't use with 'être'
Saying 'Je suis flemme' is the #1 giveaway that you are a beginner. Stick to 'J'ai'.
Social Lubricant
Admitting to 'la flemme' can actually make you more likable in casual French settings as it shows you're not pretentious.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'avoir la flemme'.
Ce soir, nous ________ de sortir en boîte.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb 'avoir' must be conjugated as 'avons'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the right option:
The correct structure is 'avoir la flemme de' + infinitive.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your boss asks you to stay late to finish a report.
In a professional context, 'la flemme' is inappropriate. You must use a formal refusal.
Fill in the slang intensifier.
— Tu viens courir ? — Non, j'ai _____ la flemme, il pleut trop !
'Grave' is a common slang intensifier used with 'la flemme'. 'Très' cannot be used with a noun.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenCe soir, nous ________ de sortir en boîte.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb 'avoir' must be conjugated as 'avons'.
Choose the right option:
The correct structure is 'avoir la flemme de' + infinitive.
Situation: Your boss asks you to stay late to finish a report.
In a professional context, 'la flemme' is inappropriate. You must use a formal refusal.
— Tu viens courir ? — Non, j'ai _____ la flemme, il pleut trop !
'Grave' is a common slang intensifier used with 'la flemme'. 'Très' cannot be used with a noun.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt depends on who you say it to. With friends, it's fine. With a stranger or a boss, it's very rude.
Yes! 'J'avais la flemme' (I was feeling lazy) or 'J'ai eu la flemme' (I had a bout of laziness).
You could say 'être motivé' or 'avoir la pêche' (to have energy).
Yes, it's understood everywhere, though its frequency varies by region.
Yes, adding 'petite' makes it sound slightly less lazy and more like a passing feeling.
The formal version would be 'Je n'ai pas le courage de...' or 'Je ne me sens pas la force de...'
The word is feminine. There is no logical reason, it's just the gender of the noun!
Usually no. If you say 'J'ai la flemme d'aller à l'enterrement,' it's incredibly offensive.
It's the verb form, meaning to enjoy being lazy, like lounging in the sun.
Yes, it is in the Petit Robert and Larousse, marked as 'familier' (informal).
Verwandte Redewendungen
flemmarder
builds onTo lounge around or take it easy.
un flemmard
specialized formA lazy person.
avoir un poil dans la main
similarTo be extremely lazy.
buller
synonymTo do nothing / blow bubbles.
grosse flemme
specialized formBig laziness.
