Everyday Spoken French: “Ça m’énerve!” (+ Other Phrases for Being Annoyed)
Feeling annoyed and irritated by something or someone? If you want to tell someone about it, you can say "ça m'énerve!" - which translates to "it gets on my nerves!"
For example, you're trying to concentrate on your work, but your friend keeps playing loud music, you might say:
"Ça m'énerve quand tu fais ça !"
It annoys me when you do that!
Or, you're stuck in traffic and the cars aren't moving, you might say:
"Ces bouchons, ça m'énerve!"
These traffic jams get on my nerves.
You can use the expression for mild to strong annoyance, the tone of voice indicates your level of irritation.
"Ça m'énerve..." (slightly annoyed)
"Ça m'énerve!!" (really pissed)
"Ça m'énerve" is commonly used in everyday conversations. It's considered informal but not rude.
"oh la la, ça m'énerve tout ça!"
You can also use it for a person:
"Il m'énerve, ce type!"
This guy gets on my nerves
"Bon écoute, tu m'énerves!"
Look, you're getting on my nerves!
"Tu commences à m'énerver!"
You starting to annoy me!
"Ça m'énerve" alternatives
Here are some very commonly used alternatives, from formal to outright vulgar.
Ça m'agace
This means "it irritates me" and is slightly more formal than "ça m'énerve":
"Ce bruit constant, ça m'agace!"
That constant noise, that irritates me.
"Ça m'agace quand tu parles comme ça."
It irritates me when you talk like that.
Cela m'irrite (more formal/polite)
For more formal contexts, you might use "Cela m'irrite" instead. E.g. you're working in a quiet library, and someone is constantly tapping their pen on the table:
"Excusez-moi madame, vous pouvez arrêter ce bruit? Cela m'irrite."
Excuse me ma'am, could you stop this noise? It irritates me.
Ça me saoule
Literally "it gets me drunk", this means "It bothers me" or "It annoys me".
"Les réunions sans fin, moi ça me saoule."
The endless meetings, they annoy me.
This is a more colloquial phrase that you might use with friends and family or a close coworker. It's more informal than "ça m'énerve" but not vulgar.
Ça me casse les pieds
Literally "it breaks my feet". This is another colloquial phrase to say "that annoys me". Like "ça me saoule", it's more informal than "ça m'énerve" but not really vulgar.
This phrase is older-fashioned than "ça me saoule" - younger people tend to use the latter.
"Arrête de me casser les pieds avec ça!"
Stop annoying me with that!
"Ça me casse les pieds, ce concert."
This concert is really annoying me.
A vulgar variant that you'll hear very often in real life is "Casser les couilles" - literally breaking my balls.
Ça m'emmerde
This is a more vulgar version of "ça m'énerve". The literal translation is "It shits on me." While used a lot daily, this phrase is quite vulgar.
You use it to express strong annoyance or frustration. It's similar to saying "It pisses me off". Be cautious of who you use it with.
"Franchement, ça m'emmerde! Tu aurais pu me prevenir."
Frankly, it pisses me off! You could have warned me.
Ça me fait chier
This post wouldn't be complete without the legendary "Ça me fait chier" (literally "it makes me shit"). This is a staple of colloquial, street French. It's also quite vulgar and should only be used in very informal settings.
The word "chier" is used for many things in everyday life (check out my fun video here). "Fait chier" expresses annoyance and irritation.
"Ça me fait vraiment chier d'aller chez ta mère."
Going to your mother's place really pisses me off.
"Elle me fait chier avec ses histoires."
She annoys me with her nonsense.
Natives often use the short version "Fait chier" in everyday life (again, vulgar):
"Merde, fait chier!"
Damn, this sucks!
