A2 Slang Slang

Kiffer

To like / to love (informal)

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Kiffer is the essential French slang verb to express that you're really enjoying something or someone in a cool, relaxed way.

  • Means: To really like, love, or get a kick out of something.
  • Used in: Casual chats with friends, social media, and talking about hobbies.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use it with your boss or in a formal interview.
Cool vibes + High enjoyment = Kiffer

Explanation at your level:

Kiffer is a slang word for 'to like'. It is like the word 'aimer'. You use it with your friends. For example, 'Je kiffe le chocolat'. It is very common in France. It is an easy verb because it ends in -er, like 'parler'.
Kiffer is an informal verb used to express that you really enjoy something. It's more expressive than 'aimer'. You can use it for hobbies, food, or music. It's also used to say you have a crush on someone. Remember, it's slang, so don't use it in class or at work!
At this level, you should understand that 'kiffer' is the go-to verb for casual enthusiasm. It's often reinforced with adverbs like 'grave' or 'trop'. While 'adorer' is standard, 'kiffer' signals that you are comfortable with informal French. It's also important to recognize the noun form 'un kiff', as in 'C'est mon petit kiff du dimanche' (It's my little Sunday pleasure).
B2 learners should master the nuances of 'kiffer' versus 'surkiffer'. You should be able to use it naturally in conversation to sound more like a native speaker. It's also useful to understand its role in youth culture and how it has transitioned from the 'banlieues' to mainstream media. Be aware of the romantic nuance: 'kiffer quelqu'un' is less formal than 'apprécier' but less committed than 'aimer'.
C1 mastery involves understanding the sociolinguistic implications of using 'kiffer'. It's an example of 'l'emprunt' (borrowing) from Arabic that has undergone 'lexicalisation'. You should be able to identify when its use might be perceived as 'parler jeune' (speaking like a young person) and when it's perfectly acceptable in a relaxed adult environment. You should also be familiar with related expressions like 'être en kiff total'.
At the C2 level, 'kiffer' is analyzed as a marker of contemporary French identity and the 'démocratisation' of slang. You can discuss its etymological roots in the Maghreb and its evolution from a marginalized drug-related term to a ubiquitous verb of appreciation. You understand the subtle 'ironic' use of the word by older generations and its pervasive presence in French literature (e.g., Faïza Guène) and cinema as a tool for authentic characterization.

Meaning

To really enjoy something or someone.

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Cultural Background

In France, 'kiffer' is ubiquitous. It's used by teenagers, young adults, and even 'bobos' (bourgeois-bohemians) in Paris. It's a symbol of how 'banlieue' culture has influenced the whole country. While the word comes from here, its use as a French verb is a European invention. In North Africa, 'kif' still often refers to the substance or a general state of mind. In Quebec, 'kiffer' is recognized but less common than in France. Quebecers are more likely to use 'tripper' to express the same feeling. In countries like Ivory Coast or Senegal, 'kiffer' is very popular in urban music (Ivorian Coupé-Décalé or Rap). It's used to show status and enjoyment of the 'good life'.

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Use 'Grave'

To sound truly native, pair 'kiffer' with 'grave'. 'Je kiffe grave !' is the ultimate expression of cool approval.

⚠️

The 'Crush' Trap

Be careful: 'Je te kiffe' can mean 'I like you' or 'I'm attracted to you'. Context is everything!

Meaning

To really enjoy something or someone.

🎯

Use 'Grave'

To sound truly native, pair 'kiffer' with 'grave'. 'Je kiffe grave !' is the ultimate expression of cool approval.

⚠️

The 'Crush' Trap

Be careful: 'Je te kiffe' can mean 'I like you' or 'I'm attracted to you'. Context is everything!

💬

Age Matters

While common, if you are over 50, using 'kiffer' might make you look like you're trying too hard to be young. Use it sparingly.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'kiffer' in the present tense.

Mes amis et moi, nous _______ trop ce nouveau restaurant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kiffons

The subject is 'Mes amis et moi' (we), so the ending is -ons.

Which sentence is the most appropriate for a casual chat with a friend?

You want to say you liked the movie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai trop kiffé le film !

'Trop kiffé' is the perfect informal way to express enthusiasm.

Match the French slang to its neutral equivalent.

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kiffer:Aimer, Un kiff:Un plaisir, Surkiffer:Adorer, Kiffant:Agréable

These are the standard equivalents of the slang terms.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural slang word.

A: Tu viens au concert ? B: Grave ! Je ______ trop ce groupe !

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kiffe

In a dialogue starting with 'Grave!', 'kiffe' is the most stylistically consistent choice.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Liking something in French

Formal
Apprécier To appreciate
Neutral
Aimer To like/love
Slang
Kiffer To dig/love

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it's not a swear word. It's just very informal. It's like saying 'I'm into this' instead of 'I enjoy this'.

Yes, but it usually implies a crush or that you find them very cool. 'Je kiffe mon prof' means you think your teacher is awesome.

It's 'kiffer' on steroids. Use it when you absolutely love something.

Only in modern novels that use slang to be realistic, like 'Kiffe kiffe demain' by Faïza Guène.

You can say 'Je kiffe pas trop' or 'C'est pas mon kiff'.

They share the same Arabic root, but 'kiffer' is a much newer addition to the French language.

Only if the email is to a very close friend. Never in a professional email.

In casual spoken French among young people, yes. In formal or written French, no.

It means 'It's my thing' or 'It's what I love doing'.

No, like all regular -er verbs in the infinitive, the 'r' is silent. It sounds like 'kiff-ay'.

Related Phrases

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surkiffer

specialized form

To love something intensely

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kiffant

builds on

Cool, enjoyable

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un kiff

builds on

A pleasure or a hobby

🔗

être en kiff sur

similar

To have a crush on

🔗

valider

similar

To approve of / to like

Where to Use It

🎸

At a concert

Léo: Alors, tu aimes le groupe ?

Sarah: Franchement, je kiffe grave ! Le son est énorme.

informal
🍔

Eating out

Marc: Il est comment ton burger ?

Julie: Je kiffe trop la sauce, elle est incroyable.

informal
😍

Talking about a crush

Emma: Tu as vu le nouveau ?

Chloé: Ouais, je crois que je kiffe un peu sur lui.

informal
🍿

Watching a movie

Tom: Tu as aimé la fin ?

Léa: J'ai pas trop kiffé, c'était un peu bizarre.

informal
🏖️

On vacation

Paul: C'est bien les vacances ?

Marie: On kiffe la life sous le soleil !

informal
👗

Buying new clothes

Vendeuse: Ça vous plaît ?

Client: (à son ami) Je kiffe trop la couleur, je la prends !

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Kiffer starts with 'K' like 'Key'. It's the 'Key' to expressing what you love in French!

Visual Association

Imagine a person wearing cool sunglasses, leaning back with a huge smile, holding a slice of pizza. That person is 'en train de kiffer'.

Rhyme

Si tu aimes ce que tu fais, dis que tu kiffes à tout jamais !

Story

Imagine you are in a French 'boulangerie'. You see a pain au chocolat that looks amazing. You take a bite, close your eyes, and say 'Je kiffe'. The baker smiles because he knows you're having a great time.

Word Web

aimeradorerle kiffsurkifferkiffantgravetropplaisir

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you 'kiffe' and say them out loud in French: 'Je kiffe...' (e.g., my coffee, this song, the weather).

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Molar

Molar is used more for things being 'cool', while kiffer is more about the act of liking.

German moderate

Abfahren auf

The German version is a phrasal verb, making the grammar more complex.

Japanese moderate

ハマる (Hamaru)

Hamaru implies a bit more obsession than the general 'kiffer'.

Arabic high

كيف (Kif)

In Arabic, it's often a noun or a particle, whereas French turned it into a regular verb.

Portuguese high

Curtir

Curtir is slightly more mainstream and less 'slangy' than kiffer was originally.

Chinese low

感冒 (Gǎnmào)

The metaphor is completely different (illness vs. pleasure).

Korean moderate

꽂히다 (Kkot-hida)

More about the suddenness of liking something.

English moderate

To dig

Kiffer is much more commonly used by all ages in France today than 'dig' is in the US/UK.

Easily Confused

Kiffer vs Kif-kif

They sound similar and share the same root.

Kif-kif means 'it's all the same' (equal), while kiffer is a verb for liking.

Kiffer vs Kiffer vs. Aimer

Learners use kiffer in formal situations by mistake.

Use 'aimer' for your boss, 'kiffer' for your best friend.

FAQ (10)

No, it's not a swear word. It's just very informal. It's like saying 'I'm into this' instead of 'I enjoy this'.

Yes, but it usually implies a crush or that you find them very cool. 'Je kiffe mon prof' means you think your teacher is awesome.

It's 'kiffer' on steroids. Use it when you absolutely love something.

Only in modern novels that use slang to be realistic, like 'Kiffe kiffe demain' by Faïza Guène.

You can say 'Je kiffe pas trop' or 'C'est pas mon kiff'.

They share the same Arabic root, but 'kiffer' is a much newer addition to the French language.

Only if the email is to a very close friend. Never in a professional email.

In casual spoken French among young people, yes. In formal or written French, no.

It means 'It's my thing' or 'It's what I love doing'.

No, like all regular -er verbs in the infinitive, the 'r' is silent. It sounds like 'kiff-ay'.

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