Significado
Informal and verlan term (from 'louche') for strange, odd, or suspicious.
Contexto cultural
In France, 'chelou' is ubiquitous. It's no longer just 'street' talk; you'll hear it in offices, on TV, and in movies. It's a key part of the 'cool' Parisian vocabulary. While Verlan is known in Quebec, it's much less common than in France. Quebecers are more likely to use 'bizarre' or 'weird' (pronounced with a French accent). Using 'chelou' in Montreal will mark you as being from France. Belgian French speakers use 'chelou' similarly to the French, thanks to the influence of French media and rap. However, they might also use 'spécial' to mean weird. In countries like Ivory Coast or Senegal, local slang (like Nouchi) is more dominant. While 'chelou' is understood, local terms for 'weird' or 'shady' are more common in daily life.
Use 'Grave'
To sound like a native, say 'C'est grave chelou' instead of 'C'est très chelou'.
Know your audience
Don't use this with your French partner's parents the first time you meet them!
Significado
Informal and verlan term (from 'louche') for strange, odd, or suspicious.
Use 'Grave'
To sound like a native, say 'C'est grave chelou' instead of 'C'est très chelou'.
Know your audience
Don't use this with your French partner's parents the first time you meet them!
Verlan is alive
Chelou is one of the few verlan words that is now accepted in almost all casual social circles.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best word to complete the sentence in a casual conversation.
J'ai vu un homme avec un masque de clown à 3h du matin. C'était vraiment ______.
While all are technically correct, 'chelou' is the most natural slang choice for a weird/creepy situation among friends.
Fill in the blank with the correct slang word (chelou or relou).
Mon frère n'arrête pas de me déranger pendant que je travaille, il est trop ______.
'Relou' means annoying/tiresome, which fits the context of being disturbed. 'Chelou' would mean the brother is acting suspicious.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
1. C'est chelou, il ne répond pas. 2. C'est relou, il y a des bouchons.
Chelou is for the mystery of the missing friend; relou is for the annoyance of traffic.
Complete the dialogue with a natural slang expression.
A: Tu as vu le nouveau voisin ? B: Oui, il ne sort que la nuit. A: Ah ouais ? C'est ______.
'Grave chelou' is the most authentic way to agree in a casual conversation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Chelou vs. Bizarre vs. Suspect
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosJ'ai vu un homme avec un masque de clown à 3h du matin. C'était vraiment ______.
While all are technically correct, 'chelou' is the most natural slang choice for a weird/creepy situation among friends.
Mon frère n'arrête pas de me déranger pendant que je travaille, il est trop ______.
'Relou' means annoying/tiresome, which fits the context of being disturbed. 'Chelou' would mean the brother is acting suspicious.
1. C'est chelou, il ne répond pas. 2. C'est relou, il y a des bouchons.
Chelou is for the mystery of the missing friend; relou is for the annoyance of traffic.
A: Tu as vu le nouveau voisin ? B: Oui, il ne sort que la nuit. A: Ah ouais ? C'est ______.
'Grave chelou' is the most authentic way to agree in a casual conversation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not a swear word. It's just very informal. It's like saying 'sketchy' in English.
Yes, you say 'Elle est chelou'. It usually doesn't change to 'chelouse'.
In slang, you could say 'carré' (square/straight) or just 'normal'.
Rarely. They understand it, but they might find it a bit 'too much' if they use it themselves.
Only in texts, social media, or informal emails. Never in a formal letter.
Usually not. It almost always implies something is wrong or weird in a bad way.
It's mostly a France thing, but it's spreading through music.
In texts, people often write 'chelous', but the 's' is silent.
Yes! If the food tastes weird or looks suspicious, it's 'chelou'.
'Bizarre' is neutral and can be used anywhere. 'Chelou' is slang and implies suspicion.
Frases relacionadas
Zarbi
synonymVerlan for 'bizarre'.
Relou
similarVerlan for 'lourd' (annoying).
Cheum
similarVerlan for 'moche' (ugly).
Louche
canonical formSuspicious/Shady.
C'est la zone
builds onIt's a sketchy area.
