15 Ways to say “GO AWAY” in French

Are you interested in learning French? It’s a beautiful language that can take you places, both literally and figuratively. Sometimes, however, you might need to tell someone to leave you alone or go away. In this blog post, we’ll explore 15 different ways to say “Go away” in French, ranging from polite requests to more forceful commands. These expressions will help you navigate various situations, whether you’re dealing with a persistent salesperson or just joking around with friends.

Table of Contents

The Classic: “Va-t’en!”

Let’s start with the most common and straightforward expression:

Va-t’en! – This is the standard way to say “Go away!” Formality: Neutral to Informal Literally: “Go yourself from here!”

14 More Ways to Tell Someone to Leave

Now, let’s explore other expressions, ranging from polite to very informal:

Pars de là! – “Leave from there!” Formality: Neutral – A straightforward command to leave.
Dégage! – “Clear off!” Formality: Very Informal – Quite rude, use with caution.

Casse-toi! – “Get lost!” Formality: Very Informal – Rude and confrontational.
Du balai! – “Shoo!” Formality: Informal – Literally “Some broom!” Playful but still dismissive.
Taille-toi! – “Beat it!” Formality: Very Informal – Regional expression, mostly used in southern France.

Sors de là! – “Get out of there!” Formality: Neutral – Can be used in various contexts, from playful to serious.
Barre-toi! – “Scram!” Formality: Very Informal – Strong and rude.
Fous le camp – “Get the hell out of here!” Formality: Very Informal – Vulgar, use with extreme caution.

Tire-toi! – “Get out of here!” Formality: Very Informal – Rude, similar to “Casse-toi!”
Fiche le camp! – “Clear off!” Formality: Informal – Less vulgar version of “Fous le camp.”
File! – “Scoot!” Formality: Informal – Can be playful or serious depending on tone.

Vire de là! – “Get out of there!” Formality: Informal – Forceful but not as rude as some others.
Du vent! – “Beat it!” Formality: Informal – Literally “Some wind!” Similar to “Du balai!”
Oust! – “Shoo!” Formality: Informal – Often used to shoo away animals, can be playful with people.

How to Use These Expressions

In formal or professional settings, it’s best to avoid telling someone to “go away” directly. Instead, use polite phrases like “Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me laisser seul(e), s’il vous plaît?” (Excuse me, could you leave me alone, please?)
For everyday situations where you need space, “S’il vous plaît, j’ai besoin d’être seul(e)” (Please, I need to be alone) is a polite option.
With friends or in casual settings, milder expressions like “Du balai!” or “File!” can be used playfully.

Be very cautious with the stronger expressions like “Dégage!” or “Casse-toi!” as they can be highly offensive.

Practice Activity

Consider how you might use these expressions in different scenarios:

A street vendor is being very persistent in trying to sell you something.

Your younger sibling won’t leave your room despite repeated requests.
You’re joking around with close friends and want to playfully tell one to go away.

Which expression would you use in each situation? How would you adjust your tone?

Cultural Note

In French culture, directness can sometimes be perceived as rudeness, especially in formal situations. It’s often better to explain why you need someone to leave rather than just telling them to go away. The stronger expressions on this list are generally used in conflicts or very informal situations among close friends.

Regional Variations

In Quebec, you might hear “Décâlisse!” as a very vulgar way to say “Go away!”
In Belgium, “Zwanze!” (from Brussels dialect) can be used as a playful “Go away!”

Conclusion

While knowing these expressions can be useful, it’s important to use them wisely. In most situations, a polite request for privacy or space is more appropriate than a direct command to leave. Remember, the tone and context in which you use these phrases are just as important as the words themselves.

What’s your preferred way of asking for space in your language? How does it compare to these French expressions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Want to expand your French vocabulary further? Check out our other articles:

Bonne chance avec votre apprentissage du français, et n’allez pas trop loin ! (Good luck with your French learning, and don’t go too far!)