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I have come across a word a number of times during conversations but I am still some what lost in its translation. The word sounds something like choper or chouper. The problem is that I don't know if I heard it right or spelled it right but I am sure it sounds 90 % similar.

The context was somewhat wierd — we were talking about girls, discos and all those manly stuffs that guys talk about ;)

Along similar lines what exactly does kiffer mean? If it means same as aimer, a little insight into its origin and normal usage is appreciated.

Edit: I think as all have pointed out it is actually choper and not choupé.

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2 Answers 2

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Kiffer is a slang word for aimer (to like). Apparently it comes from the Moroccan Arabic word kif (كيف), meaning hashish (another Arabic word, meaning "grass" or "hay"). The semantic link between the Arabic word and the French slang term is that hashish provides pleasant feelings. Therefore a kif (used as a noun) is a pleasant experience, and kiffer means to like something or find it pleasant.

Regarding "choupé", I've never heard of it but you might have actually heard the verb choper. It is a familiar word meaning "to catch", and in the same context and slang language level as kiffer, it might mean "managing to get in a relationship with someone". An English word with a somwhat similar meaning and usage is score, though choper is less strong, it does not imply any specific act, it can be as short as a single kiss.

Both words are slang words, mainly used by teenagers and young adults.

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  • Thanks :) Can choper replace the verb attraper to some extent ? Can you please construct a sentence incorporating the two in one or separately in order to have an example ?
    – Gil
    Commented Sep 21, 2012 at 11:33
  • @Geekasaur Choper means catch or steal, but it cannot replace attraper in normal usage. Commented Sep 21, 2012 at 11:49
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    @Gilles I quite disagree. In choper un rhume, choper un train, and generally choper quelque chose au vol, choper can be replaced by attraper. Commented Sep 21, 2012 at 11:52
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    @AlexisPigeon True, I should have said that it cannot replace attraper everywhere. Commented Sep 21, 2012 at 11:58
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"Choper" is usually a synonym of "prendre".

The context was somewhat weird — we were talking about girls, discos and all those manly stuffs that guys talk about ;)

In this context, it likely means "have a sexual relationship with [the girl]".

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    Choper does not necessarily mean to have a sexual relationship. It may involve kissing only. It is very dependent on the habits of the micro-society in which it is used...
    – Eusebius
    Commented Sep 22, 2012 at 8:52

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