sus
sus is the French slang term for 'sus'.
The term sus is used to describe people, actions or situations that feel untrustworthy or shady. Its usage often mirrors how the word is used in English-speaking internet culture to describe something suspicious. Other ways to express suspicion include the informal term louche for something shady, the slang chelou for something weird or suspicious or the expression pas net, which literally means 'not clear' or 'not clean'.
What does it mean word for word?
sus is a clipped, abbreviated form of the standard French adjective suspect.
Which one should you use?
While sus is used in casual digital or spoken slang, the full word suspect is the standard, formal adjective used in proper French.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sus is a slang term used primarily by younger generations. In more formal or standard situations, you should use suspect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the slang expression pas clair is used to convey the notion of being 'sus'.
Did you know?
- The French slang word chelou, also used for 'sus', is a result of verlan, a type of slang where syllables are reversed. It is the word louche flipped backwards.
- While sus is current slang for 'suspicious', the Old French word sus was a preposition meaning 'above' or 'up'.
Examples in context
- Il a l'air suspect.He looks sus.This sentence shows how to use sus to describe how someone looks.Tatoeba #1015367 by sacredceltic, translation #12738652 by rul
- Il a un comportement suspect.His vibe is sus.This sentence illustrates using sus to describe a behavior.Tatoeba #10474680 by Julien_PDC, translation #12827546 by rul
- C'est suspect.That's sus.This sentence shows how to use sus to describe a situation.Tatoeba #4548380 by sacredceltic, translation #12738644 by rul
- Cet individu me semble loucheThis person seems suspicious to me
- Il y a quelque chose de pas net avec cette affaireThere's something fishy about this matter
- Cet endroit est vraiment chelouThis place is really sus
- Je trouve ça vraiment douteuxI find that really suspicious
- Les résultats de cette étude sont assez questionnablesThe results of this study are quite suspect
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are looking at a strange social media profile.
- LéaTu trouves pas ce profil un peu sus ?Don't you find this profile a bit sus?
- GabrielOui, il est super sus, c'est sûr.Yes, it's super sus, for sure.
- LéaGabriel, ne clique pas sur le lien.Gabriel, don't click on the link.
- GabrielT'inquiète, je ne suis pas dupe.Don't worry, I'm not fooled.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
