Quebec Curse Words You Need to Know

Think your French is spicy? Wait until you hear it Quebec-style. In Quebec, swearing is practically an art form—and a very Catholic one at that. While most French speakers throw around a few generic profanities, Quebec curse words go straight for the sacred. From communion wafers to church furniture, everything is fair game when you’re mad, surprised, or just trying to add some flavor to your rant.

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Whether you’re visiting Montreal or just want to impress (or confuse) your French-speaking friends, here’s your no-nonsense guide to the unique world of Quebec curse words.

Mild Quebec Curse Words

These are your everyday, PG-13 expressions. You’ll hear them in traffic, at the grocery store, or from someone who just dropped their phone.

Maudit

Meaning: Literally means “cursed” or “damned.” It’s used to express frustration without going full-blown angry.

Example: Ce maudit téléphone ne marche jamais ! (That damn phone never works!)

Standard French equivalent: Putain (milder uses), Zut

Cibole

Meaning: A euphemism for the more intense ciboire. It’s a softer way to vent, sort of like saying “dang” instead of “damn.”

Example: Cibole, il fait froid aujourd’hui ! (Darn, it’s cold today!)

Standard French equivalent: Mince, Flûte

Torrieu

Meaning: Another toned-down alternative, derived from religious roots, but mostly harmless nowadays.

Example: Torrieu, j’ai oublié mes clés ! (Damn, I forgot my keys!)

Standard French equivalent: Bon sang

Offensive Quebec Curse Words

These are the real deal—harsh, angry, and rather blasphemous! They’re not for polite company or family dinners.

Câlice

Meaning: Refers to the chalice used during communion. In Quebec, though, it’s a go-to word when you’re furious.

Example: Câlice de marde*, j’ai encore raté l’autobus ! (F***ing hell, I missed the bus again!)

*Québécois spelling

Standard French equivalent: Putain, Bordel

Crisse

Meaning: Derived from “Christ.” Used like a verbal punch when you’re angry or shocked.

Example: Crisse, tu m’as fait peur ! (Jesus, you scared me!)

Standard French equivalent: Nom de Dieu, Merde

Ostie

Meaning: From “hostie” (host, the communion wafer), but used in Quebec to express irritation or anger.

Example: Ostie, pourquoi ça marche jamais ce truc-là ?! (F***, why does this thing never work?!)

Standard French equivalent: Fait chier, Putain de merde

(More!) Catholic Quebec Curse Words

These are the uniquely Quebecois gems—the infamous sacres. Rooted in Catholic ritual, they’re creatively twisted into all-purpose swear words.

Tabarnak

Meaning: Refers to the tabernacle (the sacred box in churches). It’s the king of Quebecois swears, used to express rage, surprise, or emphasis.

Example: Tabarnak de neige, encore une tempête ! (F***ing snow, another storm!)

Standard French equivalent: Putain, Nom de Dieu

Sacrament

Meaning: Literally “sacrament,” this one’s another liturgical term turned curse. Used to release strong frustration.

Example: Sacrament que c’est compliqué, ce formulaire ! (Holy s***, this form is complicated!)

Standard French equivalent: Bon sang, Putain

Ciboire

Meaning: From the vessel that holds communion wafers. Like ostie or câlice, it’s part of the classic Quebecois profanity set.

Example: Ciboire, il pleut encore ! (Damn it, it’s raining again!)

Standard French equivalent: Fait chier, Mince

Quebec Curse Word Combos That Go Hard

One swear word is never enough for a truly angry Quebecer. That’s where combos come in. These stacked curse strings are wild, theatrical, and oddly satisfying. Think of them as the symphonies of Quebec swearing—each word adds a new layer of fury.

Tabarnak de câlice

A classic double whammy. Combines two heavy hitters for added punch.

Example: Tabarnak de câlice, j’ai encore pogné le trafic ! (F***ing hell, stuck in traffic again!)

Ostie de câlice de tabarnak

The triple threat. Used in moments of total meltdown.

Example: Ostie de câlice de tabarnak, c’est pas vrai ! (Holy f***ing s***, this can’t be happening!)

Ciboire de crisse

Slightly less aggressive than the others but still packs a solid punch.

Example: Ciboire de crisse, il m’a raccroché au nez ! (Goddamn it, he hung up on me!)

Sacrament d’ostie de tabarnak

This one’s overkill—but in the best way. Pure, unfiltered Quebec rage.

Example: Sacrament d’ostie de tabarnak, c’est quoi cette niaiserie ?! (What the actual f*** is this nonsense?!)

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Whether you’re fascinated by Quebec swear words or simply want to better understand everyday conversations, exploring the local flavor of French is both fun and rewarding. At Language Trainers, our in-person French courses in Montreal and other main areas are taught by experienced native speakers from Quebec who know the language as it’s truly spoken—sacres and all.

What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized learning. We offer one-to-one French lessons with qualified teachers who come to your home or office, making language learning more convenient and tailored to your needs. So, why wait? If you’re looking to master French with the help of a native Quebecois teacher, there’s no better way to learn than with a course designed just for you.