Article 2 Victoria | Erasmus Party in Lyon

The Lyon Dictionary

You are passing through Lyon and you hear words that you don't understand and that don't exist ?

Not even in the dictionary? The Erasmus Party In Lyon team is here to help you ! We've prepared you a special dictionary for Lyon !

Un Pelo

It is simply the slang of Lyon to say a guy. Example : “Je l’aime trop ce pelo !” = “I love this guy !”

Chouiner

Word used everywhere in France but much more in Lyon. Synonym for “crying”, it's used especially when you're in front of a child.

Piaver

Used to mean "to drink alcohol". It is a recent word (like Dicav for example)
Example : “J’ai envie de piav” = “I feel like drinking”

Une Traboule

It's a word finally rather widespread but that one hears more in Lyon because it indicates a small passage hidden often in a building.

Une Gâche

This designates a place, such as a parking space
Example : “C’est une bonne gâche” = "it's a good parking space".

Une Vogue

It’s a carnival

Un Bouchon

In Lyon, “un Bouchon” means a traditional restaurant, which only serves local specialties

Un Gone

Word is used to designate a child from Lyon.

Une Vago

A car
Example : “On fait un tour de vago ?” = “We go for a car ride?”

Rouiller

Used to talk about boredom
Example : “C’est dimanche, je rouille” "it's Sunday, im bored".

Un Ganais

Term for saying someone is dumb.
Example : “C’est vraiment un ganais” = "This guy is really dumb."

Dicav

A word from the Lyon slang that means to love, it is often the youngest who use this word.

Cher

Synonymous with “very” or “really”.
Example : “Ca fait cher loin” = "it’s really far away".

Chaber

It means “to look”.
Example "il te chabe mal" = "to look badly".

Jacter

Used to mean “speak”
Example : “Il a jacter sur toi” = “He spoke about you”