B1 (Intermediate)
Want to describe something as funny, comical, or even a bit strange in informal French? Use the adjective marrant (masculine) and marrante (feminine)! This lesson will help you master this versatile and common term used in everyday conversation.
Meaning
Pronunciation with IPA
Example sentences
Meaning
The French adjective marrant (masculine) or marrante (feminine) is an informal term that means “funny,” “comical,” “strange,” or “ironic.” It’s often used to describe something or someone that causes amusement, but it can also convey a sense of oddness or something that is unexpectedly humorous. The related reflexive verb se marrer means “to have a good laugh.”
Pronunciation
Marrant, marrante /ma.ʁɑ̃/ and /ma.ʁɑ̃t/
Example sentences
This first sentence uses raconter, which means “to tell” in the context of telling jokes or lies. The verb for “to tell” or “to say” as in “What did you say?” is dire.
Sylvie est une fille très marrante. Elle adore raconter les blagues.
Sylvie is a very funny girl. She loves to tell jokes.
This second sentence uses the advanced past subjunctive mood. Here, the auxiliary verb for ils n’ont pas (they didn’t) is formed in the subjunctive: ils n’aient pas.
C’est marrant qu’ils n’aient pas répondu à notre question.
It’s strange that they didn’t answer our question.
This final sentence uses the pronoun on, which has many meanings including “we”. As a reflexive verb, se marrer means to giggle, laugh or have a good laugh.
J’adore passer du temps avec Jean. On se marre bien ensemble.
I love spending time with Jean. We have a good laugh together.
Related expression
Se marrer comme une baleine – to laugh your head off
Related lessons
- Drôle – funny, weird
- Passer – to pass, spend time (Word of the Day)
- Adorer – to love (conjugation chart)
- Personality vocabulary
References
- fr.wiktionary.org (se marrer)
- cnrtl.fr (marrant)
