In 15 Seconds
- It means being scared or having the jitters.
- Used in casual conversations with friends and family.
- Commonly used when discussing scary movies or nervous situations.
Meaning
Actually, this phrase doesn't mean you're in debt! It means you are really scared or have the 'jitters' about something.
Key Examples
3 of 6Watching a horror movie
J'ai trop les jetons avec ce clown !
I'm so scared of this clown!
Before a driving test
J'ai les jetons pour mon permis demain.
I've got the jitters for my driving test tomorrow.
In a dark parking lot
Cet endroit me fout les jetons.
This place gives me the creeps.
Cultural Background
In France, using 'avoir les jetons' shows a good grasp of 'la langue familière'. It's a staple of everyday life and is seen as more authentic than the textbook 'avoir peur'. While understood, Quebecers might more frequently use 'avoir la chienne' to express the same level of informal fear. The phrase is ubiquitous in French 'polar' (detective) movies and comedies from the 70s and 80s, often used by tough characters to show a moment of vulnerability. Modern French youth might combine this with English loanwords, though 'avoir les jetons' remains a 'classic' that never truly goes out of style.
Use it for 'The Creeps'
If a place feels 'creepy', say 'Cet endroit me file les jetons'.
Not for Funerals
Never use this for serious grief or tragic events; it sounds too lighthearted.
In 15 Seconds
- It means being scared or having the jitters.
- Used in casual conversations with friends and family.
- Commonly used when discussing scary movies or nervous situations.
What It Means
Avoir les jetons is a classic way to say you are afraid. It is like saying you have the 'willies' or the 'creeps'. You feel a bit shaky or nervous. It is less intense than a full-blown panic attack. It is more about that cold shiver down your spine.
How To Use It
You use it just like the verb avoir. You conjugate avoir and add les jetons. For example, J'ai les jetons. You can add grave at the end to sound more modern. It works for small scares and bigger anxieties. Just remember it is about fear, not money!
When To Use It
Use it when you are watching a scary movie with friends. Use it before a big presentation if your hands are shaking. It is perfect for texting a friend about a creepy basement. Use it when you are feeling vulnerable but in a casual way. It is a very common, everyday expression in France.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a serious police report. Avoid it during a formal job interview for a high-level position. It sounds a bit too relaxed for a funeral or a tragedy. If you are talking to a judge, stick to j'ai peur. It is definitely too 'street' for a formal letter to the government.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from old slang where jetons referred to coins or chips. Some say it refers to the sound of teeth chattering like chips clicking. Others think it relates to old gambling games where losing your chips was scary. It became very popular in the mid-20th century. Today, every French person knows exactly what this feels like.
Common Variations
You might hear foutre les jetons. This means 'to creep someone out'. For example, Ce film me fout les jetons. You can also say avoir la trouille. That is a very close synonym. If you want to be more vulgar, there are other versions, but stick to les jetons for now!
Usage Notes
This is a 'familier' (informal) expression. It is perfect for friends, family, and relaxed colleagues, but avoid it in high-stakes professional or official environments.
Use it for 'The Creeps'
If a place feels 'creepy', say 'Cet endroit me file les jetons'.
Not for Funerals
Never use this for serious grief or tragic events; it sounds too lighthearted.
The 'Filer' trick
Use 'Ça me file les jetons' to sound like a native speaker describing a scary situation.
Examples
6J'ai trop les jetons avec ce clown !
I'm so scared of this clown!
Using 'trop' adds emphasis to the fear.
J'ai les jetons pour mon permis demain.
I've got the jitters for my driving test tomorrow.
Expresses nervous anticipation.
Cet endroit me fout les jetons.
This place gives me the creeps.
Using 'foutre' makes it more 'street' and active.
Le patron est énervé, j'ai les jetons de lui parler.
The boss is annoyed, I'm scared to talk to him.
Common way to express workplace anxiety to a peer.
Tu as les jetons juste pour une petite araignée ?
You're scared of just a tiny spider?
Teasing a friend for being a 'chicken'.
On avait tous les jetons après son histoire.
We were all spooked after his story.
Describes a collective feeling of being unsettled.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'avoir les jetons'.
Hier soir, pendant l'orage, nous ________ vraiment ________.
We use 'avoir' in the passé composé for a specific past event, and 'les jetons' is always plural.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'avoir les jetons'?
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom best suited for casual conversations with friends.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Regarde cette araignée ! B: Oh non, enlève-la, ________ !
'J'ai les jetons' is the standard way to express this fear.
Match the French idiom with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the most accurate translations for the register and meaning.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Fear in French
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHier soir, pendant l'orage, nous ________ vraiment ________.
We use 'avoir' in the passé composé for a specific past event, and 'les jetons' is always plural.
Choose the best context:
This is an informal idiom best suited for casual conversations with friends.
A: Regarde cette araignée ! B: Oh non, enlève-la, ________ !
'J'ai les jetons' is the standard way to express this fear.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most accurate translations for the register and meaning.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, it's just informal. It's perfectly fine to use with friends or family, but avoid it in formal business meetings.
Yes, it can range from a small 'jitter' to being quite scared.
'Avoir peur' is neutral and can be used anywhere. 'Avoir les jetons' is colorful and informal.
It is mostly used in France. Other countries like Belgium or Switzerland understand it, but might have their own local slang.
No, you would say 'Tu me fais peur' or 'Tu me files les jetons'.
Related Phrases
avoir la trouille
synonymTo be scared (informal)
filer les jetons
builds onTo scare someone
avoir le trac
similarTo have stage fright
avoir les boules
contrastTo be gutted or annoyed
