Ce chelou m'a demandé de l'argent pour un faux billet.
That shady person asked me for money for a fake ticket.
Ce bruit chelou vient du sous-sol.
That strange noise comes from the basement.
Il y a un chelou qui rôde près de la porte.
There's a shady figure lurking near the door.
Les chelous de la ville se réunissent au bar du coin.
The dubious people of the city gather at the corner bar.
Similar words
étrange
individu douteux
type louche
louche
suspect
louche
anormal
bizarre
suspect
insolite
Meanings
Shady or weird
adjective
everyday
informal
Describes something that feels suspicious, odd or unsettling.
Usage
Use chelou for a situation or thing that seems off‑kilter or dubious.
Examples
Cette situation est chelou, on ne sait pas ce qui se passe.
This situation is shady, we don't know what's happening.
Il a un sourire chelou, ça me met mal à l'aise.
He has a weird smile that makes me uneasy.
Le film était vraiment chelou, je ne l'ai pas compris.
The movie was really odd, I didn't understand it.
Ce bruit chelou vient du sous-sol.
That strange noise comes from the basement.
Ton excuse est chelou, je ne te crois pas.
Your excuse is sketchy, I don't believe you.
Le décor du jeu est chelou, on dirait un cauchemar.
The game's setting is bizarre, it looks like a nightmare.
Common mistakes
The term is often turned into a noun, but native speakers keep it adjectival.
Incorrect
Correct
C’est un chelou.
C’est chelou.
Elle est très chelouée.
Elle est très chelou.
Ce film est chelou, il est très amusant.
Ce film est chelou, il est bizarre.
Similar words
louche
bizarre
étrange
suspect
anormal
insolite
A shady person
noun
everyday
informal
Refers to a person who appears dubious or untrustworthy.
Usage
Use chelou as a noun to label someone who gives a suspicious impression.
Examples
Ce type est un vrai chelou, il traîne toujours dans les ruelles.
That guy is a real shady person, he always hangs around the alleys.
Attention aux chelous du quartier, ils sont dangereux.
Watch out for the shady characters in the neighborhood, they are dangerous.
J'ai rencontré un chelou qui vendait des objets volés.
I met a shady person who was selling stolen goods.
Les chelous de la ville se réunissent au bar du coin.
The dubious people of the city gather at the corner bar.
Il y a un chelou qui rôde près de la porte.
There's a shady figure lurking near the door.
Ce chelou m'a demandé de l'argent pour un faux billet.
That shady person asked me for money for a fake ticket.
Common mistakes
Learners sometimes use the adjective form where a noun is required.
Incorrect
Correct
Il est chelou.
C’est un chelou.
Je connais plusieurs chelou.
Je connais plusieurs chelous.
Ce type est très chelou.
Ce type est un chelou.
Similar words
louche
suspect
individu douteux
type louche
personnage suspect
personne louche
Usage
Use chelou to describe something that feels off‑kilter or a person who seems dubious; keep the adjective form for situations and the noun form for people.
Common mistakes
The term is often turned into a noun with un chelou, but native speakers normally keep it adjectival, saying c’est chelou.
Etymology
From verlan of louche, itself from Old French louche ‘shady, dubious’.
FAQ
What does chelou mean?
Chelou is slang for something shady, suspicious or weird.
Is chelou an adjective or a noun?
It is primarily an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun for a dubious person.
How is chelou pronounced?
It is pronounced /ʃə.lu/.
Where does chelou come from?
It is the verlan of louche, which itself comes from Old French.
Can chelou be used in formal contexts?
No, it is informal and belongs to spoken slang.
What is the feminine form of chelou?
The feminine form is cheloue.
How do you form the plural of chelou when used as a noun?
Add –s to get chelous.
What are some synonyms for chelou?
Synonyms include louche, bizarre, étrange, suspect, anormal, insolite.
What is the opposite of chelou?
Opposites are normal, sûr, fiable.
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