For modern people, it often seems that flirting as a process has always existed. And, it is no surprise that, in these matters, men and women from France till the 21st century have mastered the art of seduction to perfection. But has French flirting always been the way we imagine it today?
Scientists from this European country have discovered the scripture dating back to the 4th century, where several generally accepted ways of wooing were given. One of them looks rather creepy today. According to it, a man had to begin by winning the heart of his future wife right from her childhood! For instance, it was expected that he would play with dolls together with her!
However, in terms of the number of instruments invented for flirting, all world records were beaten by the Fêtes galantes (the so-called Gallant Age). The time when the most limiting ethical shackles of the past were broken. It wasn't the era of fancy French words, though... After all, even such a word as flirting did not exist in a well-known sense in those days! Interesting fact: this term comes namely from this land. Fleurette (flower in English) was the basis for it.
It must be mentioned that for a long time in France, the ideal of a lady was the image of a metaphorical white goose. We mean the famous, even nowadays, phraseological unit oie blanche - which describes an inexperienced, in matters of love and sex, girl. We guess you'll be glad to hear that such rules of morals are not prevalent among present-day beautiful French maidens.
Still, our history lesson is not over yet, and we are moving right to 1905. The year when the World Secular Etiquette was published. In this document, the British were persistently accused of the existence and spread of flirting in the country. Comparing France to a pure garden of nobility, the authors called courtship bad seeds planted there which must not be allowed to bloom. Such a reaction was quite logical, given the difference in upbringing between the British in the Victorian period and the French in the 19th century. Despite all the attempts to shift the responsibility for the morally damaging flirting to the neighbors - everything was in vain. No one could directly say you're so beautiful in French -speaking companies, though. Apparently - the secret language was created!
Never before has a hand fan been so talkative! For example, a man could ask a woman to give him this small accessory during the conversation. If she passed it with the upper end - this gesture meant fondness. And on the opposite, to express contempt was used the fan's handle. At the same time, stretching this thing open was humiliating for the lady - since this meant she was literally begging for love.
A little bit later, the rules changed again. Still, flirty French phrases couldn't be said. Fake moles expressed everything that could not be spoken aloud. Some of them were not just round but cut out in intricate symbolic figures form. For instance, a mole in the shape of a crescent moon meant a proposal for a nightly date, and a small black carriage glued to the face could give consent to run away together. Round "birthmarks" had their interpretation too. It depended on different parts of the face. The front sight of the nose with a mole was supposed to warn that the girl was already taken. The front side, over the right eye, informed a gentleman that the lady was really happy about the upcoming date. The left part of her face said - the nearing separation would really saddened her.
We know what you think now: exciting but too complicated. It's hard not to be glad to live in this day and age! However, some special knowledge will still be needed. Thus, if you want to know how to say I like you in French and many other curious things - keep reading. We are aware not only of old-times rules of flirting in this country!
Five simple tips on flirting having a French girl
There are two words that describe flirting in French. The first one - draguer (dʁaɡˈe) - involves something serious. While the second one - séduction (sedyksjˈɔ̃) - is used in casual dating and means persuading someone to get physical. However, nowadays, it also refers to the person's attempts to charm their crush. This interpretation is more loved by the French.
Also, in France, men and women usually flirt in a good-natured manner - without necessarily having a sexual interest in the process. Of course: for a foreigner, the most challenging part is - to learn to distinguish between all sorts of coquetry in this European land.
Okay, let's imagine you figured out the intentions of the lady of your heart. What should you do, then?
Bad news, banal things like: "Good morning, beautiful" in French as a chat begin won't work. Still, good and sincere compliments will never hurt. At the same time, in France, it is quite acceptable for men to approach a stranger on the street and ask her out on a date. But it's also important to be mindful of the ongoing debate over street harassment in this country...
Alright, you probably need us to be more concrete. Here you go - these five tips will make the main rules of flirting with a French girl.
#1. Mind the difference between tu (tˈy) and vous (vˈu)
This nuance is crucial if you want to flirt in French successfully. And unfortunately, it could turn pretty frustrating for an English-speaking person. Since, in your language, there is simply no difference when you talk to someone - you always use the pronoun "you." Therefore, when learning cute things to say in French - mind the difference between tu and vous.
Vous adds formality to the conversation, so your chat with a pretty girl will begin to resemble a job interview. This pronoun, as you might guess, is absolutely inappropriate for purposes of flirtation.
If a woman is not the age of your mother's grandmother and your goal is seduction - you should always use tu speaking to her. Going personal is impossible without it. Okay, let's sum up: if you want to say I like you in French - make sure you use tu in this phrase.
#2. Make sure your flirting attempts are appropriate
According to the country's law, men will be fined for offensive signs of attention toward women. It was passed in 2018 and is valid for the present. So before yelling to a girl on the street, you're pretty in French - make sure your compliment won't seem inappropriate to her.
Okay, let's find out what is prohibited in France. Guys are forbidden from gesticulating, whistling, or shouting vulgarities at the ladies (the document states). Violators of these regulations will face fines ranging from 90 to 750 euros. It is to say: romantic French words to a female who doesn't want them may cost you a pretty penny.
This law is the governmental reaction to the incident in Paris in 2017. Incorrect flirting on the part of the man ended in the assault back then. Since he hit the girl after she asked him not to whistle.
#3. Do not rush
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when flirting with a woman from this European land is to rush. So think twice before googling the ways to say I love you in French if you don't want to scare your crush off.
Why is it so? Sweet chatter, light touches, kisses, compliments, and jokes are just a style of communication between genders and are not perceived by local men seriously. Gentlemen in France don't like to be hasty, making confessions or making too personal things visible. They prefer to flirt with the lady of the heart in a more intimate style.
Thus, if you want to start dating a girl from this country - choose pleasant communication, laugh at her jokes, and just have fun! In case she is genuinely interested, she won't disappear.
Friendly tip: if you want to impress your crush with the knowledge of her mother tongue - start with something like "have a good day" in French. Wise people say: better safe than sorry.
#4. Do not go into unnecessary detail
How to impress a French girl? With your lightness, of course!
Experts are united in the opinion that there are several secrets of the famous charm of people from France. And one of the main ones could sound like appeal lies in the mystery. Ladies from this land don't want to know that you do a special diet or do not trust other barbers (except the one around the corner). The same goes for the fact - you spend every evening in a gym because you want to demonstrate your six-pack on the beach this summer. All these unnecessary details are not very interesting to them.
How to flirt in French, then? It's not that hard, dear friend. Just try to talk about something curious. For example, about a movie you watched yesterday, an exhibition you want to visit, or a book you are currently reading. These topics are much sexier.
#5. Your imperfections are welcome
Women in France are cheerful and independent. They never limit themselves to certain standards. And therefore, they don't worry about what people would say or think about them. That's why many French compliments sound pretty unusual to English-speaking guys.
At the same time, you shouldn't forget that an average female from this country is a feminist. This involves striving for equal rights and the opportunity to do what she wants and be happy with it. These views also suggest she does not pursue perfection (it doesn't exist). In other words - your imperfections are absolutely okay. So it's okay if you are not the Mister Universe or don't know how to say my darling in French. The point is - fake it until you make it won't work here. Be yourself!
10 amazing French love expressions and romantic words
Without a doubt, love confessions and romantic things to say in French are tricky to formulate for foreigners. But what do you need to do at the moment you need them?
Good news - your beloved one from France will be pleased to hear something from our personal top-10. The only job left is to read and choose (don't worry, translations are available, either).
#1.Original: Le plus beau mot que je pourrais prononcer c’est ton nom. Chacun de tes sourires, chacun de nos baisers, chacun de nos contacts me rend encore plus certain de la force de mon amour pour toi. Voilà je te l’ai dit : je t’aime. (lˈə- plˈy bˈo mˈo kˈə ʒˈə- puʁˈɛ pʁonɔ̃sˈe sˈe’ˈɛ tˈɔ̃ nˈɔ̃. ʃakˈœ̃ dˈə- tˈe- suʁˈiʁ, ʃakˈœ̃ dˈə- nˈo bɛzˈe, ʃakˈœ̃ dˈə- nˈo kɔ̃tˈakt mˈə- ʁˈɑ̃ ɑ̃kˈɔʁ plˈy sɛʁtˈɛ̃ dˈə- lˈa- fˈɔʁs dˈə- mˈɔ̃ amˈuʁ pˈuʁ twˈa. vwalˈa ʒˈə- tˈə- ˈɛl’ˈe dˈi : ʒˈə- tˈe’ˈɛm.)
Translated: The most beautiful word that I could ever say is your name. Each of your smiles, each of our kisses, and each of our contacts gives me even more confidence in the power of my feelings for you. That's why I say - I love you.
#2.Original: J`ai perdu tout, alors, je suis noyé, innondé de l’amour; je ne sais pas si je vis, si je mange, si je respire, si je parle mais je sais que je t’aime. (ʒˈi`ˈe pɛʁdˈy tˈu, alˈɔʁ, ʒˈə- syˈi nwajˈe, inɔ̃dˈe dˈə- ˈɛl’amˈuʁ; ʒˈə- nˈə- sˈɛ pˈa sˈi ʒˈə- vˈi, sˈi ʒˈə- mˈɑ̃ʒ, sˈi ʒˈə- ʁɛspˈiʁ, sˈi ʒˈə- pˈaʁl mˈɛ ʒˈə- sˈɛ kˈə ʒˈə- tˈe’ˈɛm)
Translated: I lost everything, you see, I drowned, flooded with love. I don't know if I live, if I eat, if I breathe, if I speak... but I know that I love you.
#3.Original: Je t’embrasse autant de fois qu’il y a de bulles dans le champagne, alors secoue bien! (ʒˈə- tˈe’ɑ̃bʁˈas otˈɑ̃ dˈə- fwˈa k’ˈil iɡʁˈɛk ˈa dˈə- bˈyl dˈɑ̃ lˈə- ʃɑ̃pˈaɲ, alˈɔʁ səkˈu bjˈɛ̃!)
Translated: I hug you as many times as there are bubbles in champagne when you shake it!
#4.Are you looking for the most romantic way to say I miss you in French? Here it is!
Original: Auprès de toi ma vie prend sens. Je t'ai dans la peau, je t'ai dans l'âme. Sans toi je ne suis rien. Tu es ma drogue, mon espérance, tu es mon idéal. Je t’aime! (opʁˈɛ dˈə- twˈa mˈa- vˈi pʁˈɑ̃ sˈɑ̃s. ʒˈə- tˈe'ˈe dˈɑ̃ lˈa- pˈo, ʒˈə- tˈe'ˈe dˈɑ̃ ˈɛl'ˈaːm. sˈɑ̃ twˈa ʒˈə- nˈə- syˈi ʁiˈɛ̃. tˈy ˈɛ mˈa- dʁˈoɡ, mˈɔ̃ ɛspeʁˈɑ̃s, tˈy ˈɛ mˈɔ̃ ideˈal. ʒˈə- tˈe’ˈɛm!)
Translated: With you, my life has a purpose. You are in my skin, in my soul. Without you - I'm nothing. You are my drug, my hope - you are my ideal. I love you!
#5.Original: Je voudrais t’offrir mon cœur. Je dois te dire que j’ai pour toi un amour sincère et véritable. J’aspire à t’apporter tout le bonheur possible. Je t’aime aussi fort que cela est possible! (ʒˈə- vudʁˈɛ tˈe’ɔfʁˈiʁ mˈɔ̃ kˈœʁ. ʒˈə- dwˈa tˈə- dˈiʁ kˈə ʒˈi’ˈe pˈuʁ twˈa ˈœ̃ amˈuʁ sɛ̃sˈɛʁ ˈe veʁitˈabl. ʒˈi’aspˈiʁ ˌaaksɑ̃ɡʁˈav tˈe’apɔʁtˈe tˈu lˈə- bɔnˈœʁ pɔsˈibl. ʒˈə- tˈe’ˈɛm osˈi fˈɔʁ kˈə səlˈa ˈɛ pɔsˈibl!)
Translated: I want to give you my heart. I must tell you that my love is sincere and real. I strive to bring you all the happiness that is possible. I love you as much as imaginable!
#6.Original: L’amour aussi bien que le feu, ne peut subsister sans mouvement continuel, et il cesse de vivre des qu’il cesse d’espérer ou de craindre. (ˈɛl’amˈuʁ osˈi bjˈɛ̃ kˈə lˈə- fˈø, nˈə- pˈø sybzistˈe sˈɑ̃ muvmˈɑ̃ kɔ̃tinyˈɛl, ˈe ˈil sˈɛs dˈə- vˈivʁ dˈe- k’ˈil sˈɛs dˈe’ɛspeʁˈe ˈu dˈə- kʁˈɛ̃dʁ.)
Translated: True love can be compared to a fire. In both cases, constant movement is necessary. And in both cases, it can stop if hope or fear disappears.
#7.Original: Le baiser est la plus sûre façon de se taire en disant tout. (lˈə- bɛzˈe ˈɛ lˈa- plˈy sˈyːʁ fasˈɔ̃ dˈə- sˈə- tˈɛʁ ˈɑ̃ dizˈɑ̃ tˈu.)
Translated: Kissing is the surest way to remain silent when talking about everything.
#8.Do you want to wish your special lady sweet dreams in the French language? Here is what she will adore!
Original: Le jour je pense à toi, la nuit je rêve de toi, mais cela ne me suffit pas car le meilleur moment c’est lorsque je suis prés de toi. (lˈə- ʒˈuʁ ʒˈə- pˈɑ̃s ˌaaksɑ̃ɡʁˈav twˈa, lˈa- nyˈi ʒˈə- ʁˈɛv dˈə- twˈa, mˈɛ səlˈa nˈə- mˈə- syfˈi pˈa kˈaʁ lˈə- mɛjˈœʁ momˈɑ̃ sˈe’ˈɛ lˈɔʁskə ʒˈə- syˈi pʁˈe dˈə- twˈa.)
Translated: The next day, after our meeting, I think about you, and at night I dream about you, but it's not enough for me because the best time is when I'm next to you.
#9.Original: Lorsque deux nobles coeurs s`aiment vraiment, leur amour est plus fort que celle la mort. (lˈɔʁskə dˈø nˈɔbl kˈœʁ ˈɛs`ˈɛm vʁɛmˈɑ̃, lˈœʁ amˈuʁ ˈɛ plˈy fˈɔʁ kˈə sˈɛl lˈa- mˈɔʁ.)
Translated: When two noble hearts genuinely love, their love is stronger than death.
#10.Original: Pour symboliser la force le lion est là. Pour symboliser la paix la colombe est là. Pour symboliser l’amour que j’ai pour toi je suis là. (pˈuʁ sɛ̃bolizˈe lˈa- fˈɔʁs lˈə- ljˈɔ̃ ˈɛ lˈa. pˈuʁ sɛ̃bolizˈe lˈa- pˈɛ lˈa- kolˈɔ̃b ˈɛ lˈa. pˈuʁ sɛ̃bolizˈe ˈɛl’amˈuʁ kˈə ʒˈi’ˈe pˈuʁ twˈa ʒˈə- syˈi lˈa.)
Translated: The symbol of power is the lion. The symbol of peace is a dove. And my love for you is symbolized by the fact that I am here.
10 best French compliments
It's a natural desire for a man to impress his significant other. Due to the fact females worldwide love to get words of adoration - we have a great idea for you. We bet - your lady from France will be happy to hear compliments in her mother tongue!
Since you already know how to say my love in French, in the following part of our article, you'll find the phrases advantageous notwithstanding your language knowledge. You can combine them or use ready-made expressions - enjoy!
#1.Original: Tu es quelqu’un de spécial pour moi. (tˈy ˈɛ kˈɛlk’ˈœ̃ dˈə- spesjˈal pˈuʁ mwˈa)
Translated: You are special to me.
#2.Original: J’adore discuter avec toi, tu as des idées intéressantes. (ʒˈi’adˈɔʁ diskytˈe avˈɛk twˈa, tˈy ˈas dˈe- idˈe ɛ̃teʁɛsˈɑ̃t.)
Translated: I love talking to you - you always have such interesting ideas!
#3.Original: Ça m’est égal que tu ne sois pas parfaite, je t’aime comme tu es, ne change pas. (sˈa ˈɛm’ˈɛ eɡˈal kˈə tˈy nˈə- swˈa pˈa paʁfˈɛt, ʒˈə- tˈe’ˈɛm kˈɔm tˈy ˈɛ, nˈə- ʃˈɑ̃ʒ pˈa.)
Translated: I don't care that you're not perfect. I love you the way you are, don't change.
#4.If you want to say you are very beautiful in French to your girl - use this phrase!
Original: Mon Dieu, que t’es belle! (mˈɔ̃ djˈø, kˈə tˈe’ˈɛ bˈɛl!)
Translated: My God, how gorgeous you are!
#5.Original: Après tant d’années, tu arrives encore à m’étonner, bravo! (apʁˈɛ tˈɑ̃ dˈe’anˈe, tˈy aʁˈiv ɑ̃kˈɔʁ ˌaaksɑ̃ɡʁˈav ˈɛm’etɔnˈe, bʁavˈo!)
Translated: I've known you for so long, and you never stop amazing me. Bravo!
#6.Original: Avec toi, je me sens bien, j’ai confiance en toi, tu es une personne fiable sur qui on peut compter. (avˈɛk twˈa, ʒˈə- mˈə- sˈɑ̃s bjˈɛ̃, ʒˈi’ˈe kɔ̃fjˈɑ̃s ˈɑ̃ twˈa, tˈy ˈɛ ˈyn pɛʁsˈɔn fjˈabl sˈyʁ kˈi ˈɔ̃ pˈø kɔ̃tˈe.)
Translated: I feel good when I am with you, and I trust you. You are a loyal person - I can rely on you.
#7.Original: Je suis fie de te présenter à ma famille, à mes amis. (ʒˈə- syˈi fˈi dˈə- tˈə- pʁezɑ̃tˈe ˌaaksɑ̃ɡʁˈav mˈa- famˈij, ˌaaksɑ̃ɡʁˈav mˈe- amˈi.)
Translated: I will be proud to introduce you to my family and friends.
#8.This phrase is the equivalent of "pretty lady" in French. Don't be shy to use it!
Original: Vous êtes la femme la plus séduisante. (vˈu ˈɛt lˈa- fˈam lˈa- plˈy sedyizˈɑ̃t.)
Translated: You are the most seductive woman I know.
#9.Original: Tu brille comme une étoile au ciel. (tˈy bʁˈij kˈɔm ˈyn etwˈal ˈo sjˈɛl.)
Translated: You shine like a star in the sky.
#10.Original: Tu es une fleure de mon âme. (tˈy ˈɛ ˈyn flˈœʁ dˈə- mˈɔ̃ ˈaːm.)
Translated: You are the flower of my soul.
Conclusion
To some foreigners, the language people speak in France is disgusting to hear. Although to others - it is like pouring honey into their ears. We hope you are among the representatives of the second category, and it seems incredibly enchanting to you.
After reading this article, you know many things. Starting with how to say you are cute in French and continuing with the general recommendations concerning flirting in this European country. The last nuance we need to mention - try to use gestures and expressive intonation when telling your woman the phrases from our text. Experts also suggest practicing at home, in front of the mirror, or with someone who speaks French well enough. Good luck!
FAQ
How do you flirt over text in French?
Many people call French the language of love. So you can use it to express your feelings even through short text messages. You can use the phrases from our article for this purpose but add some sweet nicknames. Such as mon ange (my angel), ma moitié (my soulmate), mon cœur (my heart), or ma chère (my dear). You can use cute French words too. Such as ma caille (my quail), ma puce (my flea), or ma loutre (my otter).
Do French people flirt a lot?
Yes, representatives of this nation indeed flirt a lot. For this reason, compliments in French can be part of almost every chat (even at work). Still, you shouldn't forget about the law concerning inappropriate flirting attempts.
What are romantic French sayings?
Here are a few of the French romantic phrases you might need to use one day:
#1. Tu dis que tu aimes les fleurs et tu leur coupes la queue, tu dis que tu aimes les chiens et tu leur mets une laisse, tu dis que tu aimes les oiseaux et tu les mets en cage, tu dis que tu m’aimes alors moi j’ai peur. (You say you love flowers and you pick them. You say you love dogs and you put them on a leash. You say you love birds and you put them in cages. You say you love me, and I'm scared.)
#2. Tomber d’un arbre c’est haut.Tomber d’un avion, c’est encore plus haut. Mais tomber en amour, c’est la chute fatale. (Falling from a tree is high. Falling from an airplane is even higher. But falling in love is a fatal fall.)
#3. Si la fleur poussait chaque fois que je pense à toi alors le monde serait un immense jardin. (If a flower bloomed every time I think of you, the world would be a huge garden.)
How do you confess your love in French?
The phrase "love you" in French sounds like Je t’aime. If you want to respond to someone's confession, you can say Moi aussi, je t’aime.