Meaning
Informal verb meaning to look at something or someone intently, often with curiosity.
Cultural Background
The 'flâneur' culture in Paris encourages people-watching. Sitting at a cafe to 'mater les gens' is a national sport. Quebecers use 'checker' (from English) more often than 'mater' for casual looking. In Nouchi slang, 'mater' can also mean to understand or to master a situation. On French TikTok, 'mater' is used for 'stalking' someone's profile or watching stories without interacting.
Use it for Netflix
If you want to sound like a local, always use 'mater' when talking about binging shows.
The 'Creep' Factor
Be careful using 'mater' for people; it can imply you are staring too hard.
Meaning
Informal verb meaning to look at something or someone intently, often with curiosity.
Use it for Netflix
If you want to sound like a local, always use 'mater' when talking about binging shows.
The 'Creep' Factor
Be careful using 'mater' for people; it can imply you are staring too hard.
Verlan Variation
Listen for 'Tem ça !' in French rap—it's just 'Mate ça !' reversed.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'mater'.
Hier soir, nous ______ une série géniale sur Netflix.
The sentence starts with 'Hier soir' (last night), so we need the passé composé.
Which sentence is appropriate for a job interview?
A: J'ai maté votre site web. B: J'ai regardé votre site web.
'Mater' is slang and inappropriate for professional settings.
Match the verb with its nuance.
1. Mater, 2. Toiser, 3. Guetter
Mater is casual, Toiser is arrogant, Guetter is expectant.
Fill in the missing slang word.
A: Regarde ce mec ! B: Arrête de le ______, il va s'en rendre compte !
In this casual context about checking someone out, 'mater' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways of Looking in French
What can you 'mater'?
Media
- • Un film
- • Une série
- • YouTube
People
- • Un beau mec
- • Une jolie fille
- • Les passants
Events
- • Un match
- • Une bagarre
- • Un spectacle
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHier soir, nous ______ une série géniale sur Netflix.
The sentence starts with 'Hier soir' (last night), so we need the passé composé.
A: J'ai maté votre site web. B: J'ai regardé votre site web.
'Mater' is slang and inappropriate for professional settings.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mater is casual, Toiser is arrogant, Guetter is expectant.
A: Regarde ce mec ! B: Arrête de le ______, il va s'en rendre compte !
In this casual context about checking someone out, 'mater' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not vulgar, but it is very informal. It's safe to use with friends.
Not really. Use 'bouquiner' or 'lire'. 'Mater' is for visual things like screens or people.
'Regarder' is neutral and formal. 'Mater' is casual and implies more intensity or interest.
Absolutely not. Stick to 'regarder' or 'examiner' at work.
You can say 'Je me faisais mater'.
It's most common in France. In Quebec, they use 'checker' more.
It can, especially when used for people. It often means 'checking someone out'.
It means someone who watches or stares, sometimes used for a 'voyeur'.
Yes, it's a regular -er verb, conjugated just like 'parler'.
Yes, 'mater le match' is very common.
Related Phrases
reluquer
similarTo leer at or eye up
kiffer
builds onTo like/love
guetter
similarTo watch out for
tem
specialized formVerlan for mater
remater
builds onTo re-watch
