chelou

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weird, strange, odd, shady, sketchy
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/ʃəlu/
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A slang description for something weird, off, or suspicious.

Examples

  • Ce message chelou demande mon mot de passe.
    This suspicious message asks for my password.
  • Il y a un mouvement chelou sur mon compte bancaire.
    There is a suspicious transaction on my bank account.
  • Le quartier semblait chelou la nuit, alors nous avons changé de chemin.
    The neighbourhood felt shady at night, so we changed route.
  • Son excuse est cheloue, je vais vérifier les faits.
    Her excuse is sketchy, so I will check the facts.
  • Son humour est chelou, alors certaines personnes restent perplexes.
    His humour is odd, so some people remain puzzled.

Similar words

louche
étrange
véreux
inquiétant
déroutant
bizarre
insolite
anormal
pas net
zarbi

Meanings

Weird or unsettling

adjective
everyday
slang
Strange in a way that feels surprising, confusing, or slightly unsettling, in casual slang.

Examples

  • Ce film est vraiment chelou, mais j'ai adoré son ambiance.
    This film is really weird, but I loved its atmosphere.
  • Il portait une tenue cheloue qui attirait tous les regards.
    He wore a strange outfit that drew every eye.
  • Depuis hier, mon téléphone fait un bruit chelou.
    Since yesterday, my phone has been making a weird noise.
  • La fin du roman est trop cheloue pour moi.
    The end of the novel is too weird for me.
  • Son humour est chelou, alors certaines personnes restent perplexes.
    His humour is odd, so some people remain puzzled.

Similar words

Suspicious or untrustworthy

adjective
social
slang
Suspicious enough to cause distrust or caution, stronger than merely unusual and often suggesting that something is not right.

Examples

  • Ce type me paraît chelou, ne lui donne pas ton adresse.
    That guy seems shady, do not give him your address.
  • Il y a un mouvement chelou sur mon compte bancaire.
    There is a suspicious transaction on my bank account.
  • Son excuse est cheloue, je vais vérifier les faits.
    Her excuse is sketchy, so I will check the facts.
  • Ce message chelou demande mon mot de passe.
    This suspicious message asks for my password.
  • Le quartier semblait chelou la nuit, alors nous avons changé de chemin.
    The neighbourhood felt shady at night, so we changed route.

Similar words

Etymology

Verlan formed by reversing the syllables of French louche, 'shady or suspicious'. In current use, the meaning has broadened to include things that are simply very strange.

FAQ

What does chelou mean?

Chelou means weird, strange, shady, or suspicious in informal French.

Where does chelou come from?

Chelou is the verlan form of louche, made by reversing its syllables.

Is chelou formal French?

No. Chelou is familiar slang, common in conversation but unsuitable for formal writing.

What is the feminine form of chelou?

The commonly recorded feminine form is cheloue.

What is the plural of chelou?

The regular masculine plural is chelous, while the feminine plural is cheloues.

How do you pronounce chelou?

Chelou is pronounced /ʃəlu/.

What is the difference between chelou and bizarre?

Bizarre mainly means strange, while chelou can also warn that someone or something seems suspicious.

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