Louisiana’s Cajun society runs deep. The word Cajun popped increase in the 19th century to define the Acadian people of Louisiana. The Acadians were progeny of the French Canadians that were settling in southerly Louisiana and also the Lafayette region of the state. They spoke a type of the French language and also today, the Cajun language is still prevalent. The Cajuns had a big impact on Louisiana’s society bringing diverse cuisine, music styles and also dialects to the region.

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You"ll want to suffer the Cajun way of life and culture firsthand which contains trying a few new phrases yourself! Come on under to Louisiana and spend part time enjoying the diversity of south Louisiana’s Cajun heartland and also maybe even shot out a Cajun native or two. Check the end the quick guide to Cajun sayings below and learn just how to speak Cajun French. When using the pronunciation guide, the (n) represents nasalized vowels.


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Cajun and zydeco music frequently uses washboards referred to as frottiors together instruments.


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Head come a fais do-do to absent up your heels to live Cajun music.


Here are a few Cajun words and also sayings you may hear when visiting Louisiana.

Allons : Let"s go.

Ça c’est bon (Sa speak boh(n)): that’s good.

Ça va (Sa va): just how are you? and also it"s additionally the solution "I"m well."

C’est tout (Say too): it is all.

Cher <sha>: A hatchet of endearment usually used with women, similar to ‘dear’ or ‘sweetheart.’ “Would you like another cup the coffee, cher?”

Chevrette (she-vret): Shrimp

Cocodril (ko-ko-dree): Alligator

Courtbouillon (coo-boo-yon): A rich, spicy tomato-based soup or stew made v fish fillets, onions, and also sometimes mixed vegetables.

Envie vee> A longing or hunger to perform or eat something. Other Southerners could use the word ‘hankering’ where a Cajun would use ‘envie.’ “I’ve obtained an envie for some boudin.”

Fais do-do <fay doe-doe>: A Cajun dance party. (Also, an expression adults use once they want youngsters to go to sleep.) “Will we see you in ~ the fais perform do?”

Filé : ground sassafras leaves provided to season, among other things, gumbo.

Frottior : A washboard or rubboard provided as a music instrument in zydeco and also Cajun music.

Gris-gris <gree-gree> To put a curse on someone. Typically used in jest, not in reference to actual black magic. “Grandma obtained so mad once I ate she pie, she put a gris gris ~ above me.”

Honte <hont>: unpleasant or ashamed. “I drank too much and also fell into the bayou. Boy, was ns honte!”

Joie de vivre : joy of living.

Lagniappe : something extra.

Laissez les bons temps rouler : let the good times roll. With an ext than 400 festivals each year, this speak embraces the fun-loving nature that Louisiana.

Minou : Cat. “Get that minou off the table! it’s time because that dinner.”

Pauvre ti bête : Poor small thing.

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Pirogue : A Cajun canoe.

Ti (masculine) or "tite (feminine) <tee or teet>: The Cajun equivalent of ‘junior,’ however placed prior to the name rather than after. “I had dinner v John and his son Ti-Jean.”

Veiller <vay-yay>: To spend the evening talking with friends. Cajun equivalent of “to shoot the breeze.” “She to be veiller with all her friends ~ above the porch”

Not so challenging now that you know, right? Also, inspect out our guide to Louisiana’s cook lingo. Or dive into the enticing to win of Cajun music. Now, once you head come a fais do-do, you’ll feel best at home!