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French Word of the Day: Dégueulasse

The Local France
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French Word of the Day: Dégueulasse
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

This French adjective isn't just fun to say, it's also incredibly useful. But be careful, you don't want to use it in the wrong situation.

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Why do I need to know dégueulasse?

Dégueulasse is used all the time in casual conversation but be careful, use it in the wrong situation and you could end up making enemies. 

What does it mean?

Dégueulasse - roughly pronounced day-guh-lass - is the French equivalent of saying 'gross', 'manky', 'rank' and 'disgusting'. To practice pronouncing it, you can also try listening to this audio file.

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It can also mean 'revolting', 'disgusting', 'despicable' and 'out of order!'. 

Dégueulasse definitely falls into the category of informal French and can be used to describe pretty much anything, particularly food or someone's behaviour. 

If you're out having a drink or coffee with friends, use it as liberally as you like, but it's not one to use in polite conversation. The more appropriate way to call something disgusting in French would be to say dégoûtant.

And naturally, you wouldn't someone to overhear you saying the meal they spent ages labouring over was dégueulasse. You can also say gros dégueulasse meaning 'filthy slob'.

Use it like this

Ce gâteau est dégueulasse: ne le mange pas! - This cake is disgusting, don't eat it!

Il a été puni alors qu'il n'avait rien fait : c'est dégueulasse! - He was punished when he didn't do anything, it's out of order!

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Iain 2023/06/13 16:50
This word is the final one spoken by Michel (played by Belmondo) in Godard's 'A Bout de Souffle' after he has been shot by police. The exact meaning of it in this context has been disputed by film critics.
Iain 2023/06/09 14:57
'dégueulasse' is the last word spoken by the dying Michel (played by Belmondo) in Godard's A Bout de Souffle. The exact meaning of his last words is disputed among cinéastes. Truffaut, who wrote the script, would never say.
Iain 2023/06/08 11:41
It's also the last word Michel (played by Belmondo) says as he's dying at the end of A Bout de Souffle. Some have argued that his final sentence “Ch’uis vraiment dégueulasse” means 'I'm a real scumbag' as 'Ch'uis' is an informal form of 'Je suis'.

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