The French Word of the Day is draguer, a casual verb meaning “to flirt”, “to hit on” and “to pick up”. You won’t see this one in most textbooks!
Meaning
Pronunciation & register
Example sentences
Related words
Meaning
The verb draguer is most commonly used in informal spoken French to mean “to flirt with” or “to hit on” someone, often in a romantic or playful way. It’s frequently heard in everyday conversations. Interestingly, draguer is also a faux ami (false cognate) — it does not mean “to drag.” The verb for “to drag” in French is traîner.
In a more formal or technical context, draguer can also mean to dredge, as in clearing the bottom of a river or harbor.
Il essaie de la draguer. (“He’s trying to hit on her.”)
Il drague tout le temps. (“He flirts all the time.”)
Pronunciation & Register
/dʀage/
Informal, slang
Example sentences
This first example sentence uses the verlan (Parisian slang) word meuf, which is the inversion of femme (woman) and means “girl” or “chick”.
Georges est un vrai Don Juan et il adore draguer les meufs !
Georges is a real Don Juan and he loves flirting with girls!
In the reflexive form, se faire draguer means “to get hit on”.
Marie s’est faite draguer pendant toute la soirée par Martin.
Marie got hit on all night by Martin.
Words related to draguer
Here’s a list of useful vocabulary you’ll often hear in conversations that involve the verb draguer.
Verbs (similar or related in meaning):
- flirter – to flirt
- séduire – to seduce, charm
- faire la cour – to court (old-fashioned, romantic)
- charmer – to charm
- tenter sa chance – to try one’s luck (in a romantic way)
- pécho – slang for “to hook up” (verlan of choper)
Nouns & Expressions:
- un dragueur / une dragueuse – a flirt, someone who hits on others
- une approche – a pickup line or approach
- un râteau – a rejection (literally “a rake”)
- un coup de foudre – love at first sight
- un plan drague – a pickup plan
- un mec / une meuf – a guy / a girl (slang)
Opposites or related concepts:
- rejeter – to reject
- ignorer – to ignore
- Se prendre un râteau – to get turned own, blown off
- se faire rembarrer – to get turned down (slang)
Continue learning French
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