Most visitors know that French is the official language of Québec.
What surprises many travellers is that Québec French has evolved along its own path for more than 400 years. While it shares the same roots as the French spoken in Paris, it has developed its own accent, expressions and vocabulary, influenced by history, geography and North American culture.
The result? Even French speakers from Europe occasionally find themselves puzzled by a conversation in Québec.
Imagine ordering a coffee and hearing someone pay with a piasse, describing the weather as fa' frette, or praising a meal by calling it écœurant. To local ears, these expressions are perfectly normal. To newcomers, they can sound like a completely different language!
The good news is that discovering these uniquely Québecois expressions is part of the fun of visiting the province. Along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, every community adds its own flavours, stories and colourful turns of phrase to the language.
And don't worry if you don't speak French. Québecers are famously welcoming, and English-language services are widely available throughout the tourism industry. But learning a few local expressions is a wonderful way to connect with the culture and surprise the people you meet along the way.
Tirez-vous une bûche! Literally, it means "pull up a log." Around here, it simply means "have a seat."
Ready to learn a little Québecois?
How Many "Piasses"?
Canada's official currency is the Canadian dollar, but many Québecers casually call it a piasse.
A coffee that costs $3? That's simply trois piasses.
You may also hear the word sou, an old-fashioned term still commonly used for cents. These expressions come from historical French vocabulary and remain part of everyday speech.
And if someone says a decision is like "changing four thirty-cent pieces for a dollar," don't worry about the math. The expression simply means that the change won't make much difference.
Fa' Chaud or Fa' Frette?
If there's one topic Québecers never run out of, it's the weather.
Words are often shortened in conversation. Tu sais becomes tsé, while je ne sais pas may sound more like ché pas.
When temperatures rise, you might hear fa' chaud ("it's hot"). During winter, locals often say fa' frette, meaning it's really cold.
The pronunciation may sound unusual at first, but after a few days in Québec, you'll probably start recognizing these expressions yourself.
An "Ecœurant" Meal... That's a Compliment
Restaurant vocabulary can surprise visitors too.
In Québec:
- Déjeuner = breakfast
- Dîner = lunch
- Souper = dinner
One of the most confusing words for visitors is écœurant.
In standard French, it often means something unpleasant or disgusting. In Québec? It can also mean something is amazing, impressive or incredibly good.
So if someone describes a meal as écœurant, they may actually be giving the chef a compliment!
Start with Bonjour
While Canada is officially bilingual, the communities along the St. Lawrence River are primarily French-speaking. A simple Bonjour! is always appreciated and is often all you need to start a friendly interaction.
If you're lucky enough to meet members of one of Québec's Indigenous Nations, you can also try Kwe!, a greeting used in several Indigenous communities.
The good news? You don't need to speak French to enjoy Québec. A smile, a few local expressions and a sense of curiosity will take you a long way.
And who knows? Before your cruise is over, you might find yourself saying bonjour, merci and maybe even trois piasses, just like a local.