fou
/fu/
The English phrase "nut job" can be translated into French as fou.
An informal and insulting term for a person who is mentally unstable or behaves in a very strange way.
Which one should you use?
Barjo is a popular slang variant used to describe someone who behaves in a crazy or eccentric manner, while dingue refers to someone who is 'mad' or 'crazy'. Fada is an informal term to describe someone as a 'nut job' suggesting they are somewhat crazy or strange.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Un cinglé is a common informal way to express the idea of a 'nut job'. The term un détraqué is used to describe someone who is mentally deranged or 'not right in the head'. Barjo is a popular slang variant.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the adjective is folle. The masculine plural form of the adjective is fous. The feminine plural form of the adjective is folles.
How do you pronounce it?
/fu/
Did you know?
- In certain historical contexts, the term fou was linked to the word 'elephant' via the Spanish 'alfil'. This connection stems from the Arabic word for 'elephant' being used to describe a chess piece, which eventually evolved into a term for a jester.
- In French, the word dingue is often used positively to describe something 'crazy' in terms of scale or intensity, such as an 'insane' party.
- The term fada is specifically associated with the regional dialect and culture of Marseille and Southern France.
Examples in context
- Ce type est complètement fou.That guy is completely nuts.
- Ne l'écoute pas, il est un peu fou.Don't listen to him, he is a bit of a nut job.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are talking about a strange neighbor.
- ManonLe voisin a encore crié sur les pigeons.The neighbor shouted at the pigeons again.
- GabrielC'est vrai qu'il est un peu fou.It's true that he's a bit of a nut job.
- ManonIl m'a fait peur hier soir.He scared me last night.
- GabrielFais attention quand tu le croises, Gabriel.Be careful when you run into him, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
