Are you planning a trip to France or a French-speaking destination? Do you need to explain you can’t pay for something while speaking French? This handy blog post will teach you 10 different ways to say you don’t have any money in French.
From formal phrases to slang expressions, these money-related words and idioms will come in very useful during your travels or French conversations.
Formal Ways to Say You’re Broke
If you need to politely explain your lack of funds in a formal setting or to someone you don’t know well, use one of these straightforward phrases:
- Je n’ai pas d’argent. (I don’t have any money.)
- Je suis fauché. (I’m broke.)
- Je suis ruiné. (I’m ruined/broke.)
- Je suis sans le sou. (I’m penniless.)
- Mon compte en banque est à zéro. (My bank account is at zero.)
Everyday Expressions About Being Broke
In casual conversations with friends, roommates, or colleagues, you can use these more conversational phrases:
- Je rame pour joindre les deux bouts. (I’m struggling to make ends meet.)
- Je ne roule pas sur l’or. (I’m not rolling in gold/I don’t have much money.)
- Je ne navigue pas dans l’opulence. (I’m not navigating in opulence/I don’t live in luxury.)
- Mes finances sont dans le rouge. (My finances are in the red/I’m losing money.)
Slang Terms for Being Broke in French
French teens and young people love using slang terms related to money. Here are some fun slang expressions you’ll hear about being broke:
- Je suis sur la paille. (I’m on the straw – meaning completely destitute.)
- Chez moi, c’est la crise. (At my place, there’s a crisis.)
- Je suis sans un radis. (I’m without a radish – radish meaning money here.)
- Mes caisses sont vides. (My boxes/wallet are empty.)
- Je n’ai plus un rond. (I don’t have a single cent left.)
- Je suis dans la dèche. (I’m broke.)
- C’est la hess. (It’s hess – a Verlan slang term for broke.)
Idiomatic Expressions
Some very visual French idioms also paint a picture of being out of money:
- Je vis au jour le jour. (I live day to day – without savings.)
- Je compte mes sous. (I’m counting my pennies – tracking every small expense.)
- Je vis chichement. (I’m living poorly/on a tight budget.)
So the next time you need to explain in French that you can’t pay for something, use one of these 10 expressions. They range from polite to casual to slang, allowing you to find the perfect way to say you’re broke in any conversation!
Do you know any other ways to say "I don't Have Money" in French?
1- Je n’ai pas d’argent!
2- Je suis fauché(e)!
3- Je suis ruiné(e)!
4- Je suis sans le sou!
5- Mon compte en banque est à zéro!
6- je suis sur la paille!
7- Chez moi, c’est la crise!
8- Je suis sans un radis!
9- Mes Caisses sont vides!
10- Je n’ai plus un rond!
11- Je suis dans la dèche!
12- Je suis à sec
13- J’ai plus de thunes
14- Je suis dans le rouge
15- c’est la hess (A colloquial expression often used by youth)
Do you know other expressions, tell me all about them in the comments.
