What Does "Bof" Mean in French? (And Why It's More Than Just a Shrug)

If you’ve spent any time listening to native French speakers, you’ve heard it. It’s not a word you’ll find in the opening chapters of your textbook, but it’s possibly one of the most common and most French expressions you’ll ever hear: Bof.

It’s often accompanied by a Gallic shrug or a slight puff of the cheeks. To an English speaker, it might sound like a simple grunt of "meh" or "umm." But "bof" is so much more. It's a key to unlocking the famous French nonchalance, an expression of indifference, doubt, or mild disappointment all rolled into one.

If you’re not a fan of ambiguity, you might wonder why we’re devoting an entire article to this one-syllable sound. When you learn a language, you should ideally know all of it, not just the "clean" stuff. This is especially true for French.

Understanding "bof" is understanding a cultural attitude. It’s the verbal equivalent of a half-hearted shrug, a way of expressing an opinion without being overly enthusiastic or overly negative. It is the sound of "I’m not impressed."

So whether you hope to master it so that you can use it like a native speaker one day, or whether you’re just here to be sure you can recognize it, let’s learn more about bof and how to use this essential piece of French slang.

What does "bof" mean?

Bof is an interjection that, unlike merde, doesn't have a direct, vulgar translation. Its meaning is almost entirely derived from context and, crucially, intonation. It generally falls into one of these four categories:

"Meh" / "I'm not impressed" / "So-so"

This is the most common meaning. It’s a neutral-to-negative response. It doesn't mean something is bad, just that it’s not good. It’s the definition of "meh."
- « Tu as aimé le nouveau film de Marvel ? » (Did you like the new Marvel movie?)
- « Bof__. C'était pas terrible. » (Meh. It wasn't great.)
"I don't know" / "I don't really care"

Bof can signal indifference or indecision. It’s a way of saying "I don't have a strong opinion" or "it's all the same to me."
- « On mange italien ou japonais ce soir ? » (Should we get Italian or Japanese tonight?)
- « Bof__, comme tu veux. » (Bof, whatever you want.)
A filler word for "Well..." or "Umm..."

Sometimes, bof is just a sound to fill the silence while the speaker gathers their thoughts, especially before giving a slightly negative or hesitant answer.
- « Tu penses pouvoir finir le projet avant demain ? » (Do you think you can finish the project by tomorrow?)
- « Bof__... ça va être compliqué. » (Umm... that's going to be complicated.)
A weak "no" or expression of mild disappointment.

It can be a softer, less direct way of saying "no" or expressing that something isn't going well.
- « Ça va ? » (How are you?)
- « Bof__. J'ai mal dormi. » (Not great. I slept badly.)

Why is "bof" so important in French?

Bof is more than a word; it’s a cultural shortcut. It's tied to the (somewhat stereotypical) French l'art de la nonchalanche. In a culture that can be wary of hyperbole or over-the-top enthusiasm (hyper-enthousiasme), bof is the perfect tool. It’s realistic, grounded, and a bit blasé.

Its origin is likely onomatopoeic. It's the sound you make when you lightly puff out your cheeks and let the air escape, the very gesture of "I'm not convinced."

Mastering bof is all about intonation:

A short, sharp "Bof !" means "Meh, I don't care."
A long, drawn-out "Booooof..." often means "Umm, I really don't know" or "I'm so un-impressed."

It’s almost always accompanied by "the Gallic shrug"—a simultaneous raising of the shoulders, eyebrows, and downturning of the mouth.

Common Phrases and Variations with "Bof"

Unlike merde, bof doesn't have a lot of derivatives (bof-ique? em-bof-er? No). Its power comes from its simplicity and how it's paired with other common phrases.

Here are the most common ways you'll hear it:

Bof. (standalone)

The classic. Used on its own, it’s a complete answer.
- « C'était bien, ta journée ? » (Was your day good?)
- « Bof__. » (Meh.)
Bof, bof.

Saying it twice adds emphasis, reinforcing the "so-so" or "not great" meaning.
- « La nouvelle boulangerie est bonne ? » (Is the new bakery any good?)
- « Bof, bof__. Le pain est sec. » (Not really. The bread is dry.)
Bof, pas terrible.

This is an extremely common combination, meaning "Meh, not great." Pas terrible (not terrible) is a classic French understatement that actually means "pretty bad."
- « J'ai essayé un nouveau restaurant hier. » « Ah oui ? C'était comment ? » (I tried a new restaurant yesterday. "Oh yeah? How was it?")
- « Bof, pas terrible__. » (Meh, not great.)
Bof, je sais pas.

"Meh, I don't know." This is the ultimate expression of hesitant uncertainty.
- « Il va pleuvoir, tu crois ? » (Do you think it's going to rain?)
- « Bof, je sais pas__. » (Meh, I dunno.)

"Bof" vs. "Mouais" vs. "Bah": The Holy Trinity of French Fillers

To truly master French nuance, you need to know the difference between bof and its close cousins.

Bof: Expresses indifference or lack of enthusiasm. It's neutral-negative. ("Meh.")
- « Tu aimes le thé vert ? » (Do you like green tea?)
- « Bof__. » (I'm indifferent to it.)
Mouais: Expresses doubt or skepticism. It's like "Mmm... yeah..." or "I'm not convinced." It signals you heard what was said, but you don't fully agree.
- « Le patron a dit qu'on aurait une prime. » (The boss said we'd get a bonus.)
- « Mouais__... je le croirai quand je le verrai. » (Mmm, yeah... I'll believe it when I see it.)
Bah: Expresses resignation or obviousness. It's a filler like "well" or "duh."
- « Tu viens ? » « Bah oui ! » (Are you coming? "Well, yes, obviously!")
- « Je n'ai pas eu le poste. » « Bah__, c'est la vie. » (I didn't get the job. "Oh well, that's life.")

What do French people say instead of "bof"?

Bof is decidedly informal. You wouldn't say it in a business meeting or a formal paper. In situations where bof is too casual, a French speaker might opt for:

Comme ci, comme ça. - "So-so." This is what textbooks often teach, but honestly, bof is far more common in real conversation.
Ce n'est pas terrible. - "It's not great."
Je ne suis pas (vraiment) convaincu(e). - "I'm not (really) convinced."
Ça m'est égal. - "It's all the same to me." / "I don't mind either way."
Moyen. - "Average." / "Just okay."
- « C'était comment le film ? » (How was the movie?)
- « Moyen__. » (It was average.)

Should I say "bof" when I speak French?

Yes! Absolutely.

While you should avoid swear words like merde in polite company, bof is in a different category. It's informal, but it's not rude or vulgar. It's a "family-friendly" expression.

Be sure not to use it in highly formal or professional situations (e.g., don't tell your potential boss "Bof" when he asks about your last job). But with friends, acquaintances, colleagues you're friendly with, and in most everyday shops and restaurants, it's perfectly acceptable.

Using bof (and using it correctly) is a major step toward sounding like a native. It shows you understand the cultural nuance of not being over-the-top and that you're comfortable with the informal, everyday rhythm of the language.

So go ahead, listen for it, and try it. When your friend asks if you want to see a movie you have no interest in, just give a little shrug and a "Bof." You'll feel more French already.

I hope that if someone asks you how you liked this article, your answer won't be... "Bof" !