Published April 10, 2024 · Updated May 25, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Foutre — Meaning and Pronunciation
Foutre is a very informal, highly versatile, and often vulgar French verb meaning “to do,” “to not care,” or “to put” depending on the context. You’ll often hear it in everyday expressions such as qu’est-ce que tu fous ? (what are you doing?), je m’en fous ! (I don’t give a damn!), tu te fous de moi ? (are you making fun of me?), and fous le camp (get out of here!). Warning: Use this verb carefully, as it can sound rude.
IPA pronunciation of foutre is /futʁ/ (IPA), which sounds like “footr”.
Example Sentences
1. Foutre – slang for faire (to do, to make)
Je me sens paresseux et je ne fous rien aujourd’hui !
I feel lazy and am not doing a darn thing today!
2. Se foutre de = to not care about
Je m’en fous de ton opinion !
I don’t care about your opinion!
3. N’avoir rien à foutre = to not give a damn
De toute façon, j’en ai rien à foutre !
Anyway, I don’t give a damn!
4. Foutre le camp = scram, get lost!
Fous le camp ! Tu m’énerves !
Get lost! You’re bothering me!
5. Foutu (past participle) = slang for “put”
Où est-ce que j’ai foutu les maudites clés ?
Where did I put my darn keys?
6. Se foutre de la gueule = to make fun of
Est-ce que tu te fous de ma gueule ?
Are you making fun of me?
Learn how to use foutre in French with clear examples and simple explanations. This lesson shows how to use this common informal slang verb to say “to do,” “to put,” or “to not care” in everyday French conversation. Real-life usage: In her song Non, je ne regrette rien, Édith Piaf famously uses the line je me fous du passé (I don’t care about the past).
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Related Words and Expressions
Here are some other words that are closely related to foutre:
- foutu(e) (adj.) – screwed, damned
- foutre le bordel – to make a mess / create chaos
- foutre la merde – to stir up trouble
- foutre la paix à quelqu’un — to leave somebody alone
- en foutre une à quelqu’un – to hit someone
- foutre en l’air – to ruin, mess up
- le foutoir (n.m.) – a mess
📚Related lesson
Foutre is a synonym for faire in the context of “to do” or “to make”.
👉 Faire conjugation chart »
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