What's NICKEL in French?

Do you find yourself congratulating yourself on using a new French word or some tricky grammar, only to see ZERO ADMIRATION from your French person? 

That’s mainly because they really don’t get just how much hard effort we put into learning their lovely language. 

Then, they go and use expressions we take an equal amount of contemplation to decipher . . . like this week’s word: NICKEL.

And this is a word I hear all the time down here in the South West of France. 

How come it never turned up on the school curriculum?

I believe it is simply because we often learn French for an exam and leave spontaneous conversations for after we’ve studied all the grammar and tenses. 

So, today you will discover:

• What nickel means
• Synonyms of Nickel
• How to pronounce these words easily

7 ways to say "great" in French.

To start with, let’s introduce the words you are about to discover or rediscover.

All of them are positive, nice, and kind. However, you don’t apply them in all contexts. Some for people, others for things, situations etc.

Here are 7 French adjectives to say "great!":

• Nickel

• Merveilleux

• Formidable

• Génial

• Top

• Agréable
• Canon

Let’s take a closer look…

What does NICKEL mean in French?

So, what’s the meaning of nickel and how do you use it? Well, oui! It’s a kind of metal but non! It has nothing to do with it. Or maybe yes, because it shines. Basically, if you do something perfectly, you can describe it as nickel. Think of it as 'ship shape'.

Anything you agree with: an idea, an invitation, a fact, an action…simply say nickel!

Here’s an example for you:

• T’as fini d’éplucher les carottes ! Nickel ! Impec ! >>> You’ve finished peeling the carrots! Spot on! Great!

Note that the expression “nickel” comes from the military field when it meant everything is in order. Now, it’s used all the time, even to be sarcastic when things are far from what you want!

And the short word “impec” comes from the word “impeccable”.

How do translate marvellous in French?

Good news! This French word is similar to the English one: marvellous. However, the pronunciation is different. Be sure to check it in the video.

Indeed, the French translation is: merveilleux. This is an adjective for almost everything: people, weather, things, films…Here’s one way to say it: 

• Il fait un temps merveilleux aujourd’hui.  >>> It’s marvellous weather today!    

The French adjective to describe a wonderful person. 

Do you know an exceptional person and want to say it in French?

The word you need is: formidable.

Note the following:

• C’est une femme formidable. >>> She’s an extraordinary lady.

Have fun with this word and sing along with Stromae’s song or Charles Aznavour’s one. 

To say amazing in French.

Do you find something or someone amazing? Simply say: génial(e).

Here’s an example:

• Merci de ce cadeau. T’es génial! >>> Thank you for this present. You’re amazing!

A short French word to express greatness.

This short French word will impress native speakers. Pourquoi? Because it will mean that you master the language and the register. This word never appears in text books. You need to be in France or to know French people in order to know this.

Indeed, whenever you wish to express talent, be sure to say: top!

You could hear a sentence like this one:

• Il est top, ce chirurgien ! >>> He’s the best, this surgeon.

Or simply say this when you approve it because it’s brilliant:

• Ah top ! >>> Brilliant!

The same French word for AGREABLE.

This one is super easy because it’s the same spelling but…the pronunciation differs!

If a person is friendly, nice then you can pick the word agréable. Besides, this word also works for a place or the weather.

This is one illustration:

• Tous mes voisins sont agréables. >>> All my neighbours are great.

A fun French expression used every day.

Another amazing word to show off your knowledge of French: chouette! Indeed, it literally means owl but in context it signifies “cool”. French people say it all-the-time!

Here’s how you can do:

• Chouette - on a gagné. >>> Great! We won!

By the way, if you want more fun expressions like this one, check out this post:

How to say not right in French.

How to describe a great-looking person in French…

Let’s finish with another expression only native people know how to use it well: canon. Oui it can be a cannon but non! We mean something different when we describe someone!

In fact, someone who is canon means super attractive, sexy, very handsome…

Look at this example for inspiration:

• Regarde qu’il est canon, ce type-là ! >>> Look how fit that guy is !

By the way, the picture below shows the French actor who is becoming more and more popular: François Civil. Which celebrities do you find 'canon'?

I really hope this mini-lesson was nickel for you. If you have learned something, it’s top! If you are able to create your own examples, it’s génial as well. It’s chouette when people send me their questions, so do the same if needed!