French Stand Up Comedy: Boys vs Girls Vocabulary

Watch this short clip in French. The clip should start at 1:52 (in case it doesn't). I highly recommend you first watch it at 0.75x speed.

C'est vrai, selon qu'on soit un homme ou une femme, moi je trouve qu'il existe beaucoup de différence de vocabulaire en fait.

C'est vrai, par exemple pour nous filles, tout est petit! Un petit haut, je me suis acheté un petit haut!

Alors attention, un petit haut ça veut rien dire hein, un petit haut pour un mec c'est un pull trop court.

Et pareil, pareil, quand une fille dit, je mangerais bien une petite glace, oh bien sûr ce qu'elle visualise, c'est un pot de 3 kg de Häagen-Dazs Cookies and Cream, hein, et une pelle!

English version

When you think about it, depending on whether you're a man or a woman, I find that there's a lot of difference in vocabulary, actually.

Like, for example for us girls, everything is small! A small top, I bought myself a small top!

But beware, a little top doesn't mean anything, right? A little top for a guy is a sweater that's too short!

And likewise, when a girl says, I would really like a small ice cream, oh sure, what she's imagining is a 3 kg tub of Häagen-Dazs Cookies and Cream, right? And a shovel...

Selon qu'on soit

"Depending on whether one is ..."

"Selon qu'on soit riche ou pauvre, les expériences de vie ne sont pas les mêmes."

Depending on whether one is rich or poor, life experiences are not the same.

En fait

"En fait" is often used to mean "actually", but it can also mean "when you think about it" or "come to think of it".

"Tu es étudiant?"
"Non, en fait, je suis enseignant."

You're a student?
No, actually, I'm a teacher.

"En fait elle ment tout le temps!"

Come to think of it, she lies all the time!

C'est vrai

While this generally means "it's true", French speakers often use "c'est vrai" in the same way they use "en fait", with a meaning similar to "come to think of it".

It serves as a transitional phrase to shift or introduce a new thought, often with a tone of realization or reflection.

It's also like saying, "You know, that's true," in a way that sets up a speaker to share a related observation or to expand on the topic with their own insights.

"C'est vrai, je trouve que les chat peuvent être aussi affecteux que les chiens."

Come to think of it, I find that cats can be just as affectionate as dogs.

Alors attention

This means "but beware" or "heads up". It's commonly used in colloquial speech when you want the person to listen up and pay attention. It's like saying, "Now, watch out here," or "Now, take note".

"Alors attention hein, je ne coache que les adultes."

Please note, I only coach adults.

Pareil

"Pareil" here means, "likewise" or "Here's another example". In more formal French, you might say "De même" or "De la même manière"..."

Je mangerais bien...

The phrase "je mangerais bien..." means something like "I would mind eating..." Combining the conditional tense with "bien" is a way to gently and politely express what one would like to do or have, without sounding demanding.

"Je boirais bien un verre, moi!"

I wouldn't mind having a drink.

"Je regarderais bien un film ce soir, pas toi?"

I wouldn't mind watching a movie tonight, would you?

French speakers often add the word "petit" to further soften the request. Adding "petit" makes the suggestion sound more casual and less direct, making the conversation feel more relaxed and friendly.

"Je boirais bien un petit verre, moi!"

"Je regarderais bien un petit film ce soir, pas toi?"