Expressions of Disbelief in French
When something surprises you in French, there are many colorful ways to express your disbelief. Click the buttons below to see some of the most common expressions:
"Really?" / "Oh yeah?" (neutral surprise)
"Seriously?" (very common)
"No kidding?" / "You’re kidding!"
"Well, I’ll be!" (old-school but still heard)
"I don’t believe it."
"You’re kidding, right?"
"Are you joking (or what?)" (informal)
"Yeah, right!" (skeptical)
"That’s not possible!" / "No way!"
"That’s nonsense!" / "Ridiculous!"
"I must be dreaming!" (strong disbelief)
"Come on, it's crazy!" (outrage/disbelief)
"Incredible!" (can be positive or negative)
"Awesome!" / "Great!"
"Nice!" / "Cool!" (friendly)
"What a surprise!"
"Oh wow!" (surprise; tone decides +/−)
"What?" (sudden surprise/shock)
"Huh?" / "Eh?" (informal)
"Holy cow!" (slangy surprise)
"Yeah, right! / You bet!" (ironic disbelief)
"But of course (it is, etc.)" (sarcastic)
"If you say so…"
"Let’s say that." (mildly ironic)
"Yes, really!" - To contradict “Mais non”
"I swear to you."
"I promise (to you)."
"It's true."
"I'm not lying to you."
"I'm tell you." - slightly emphatic.
"I told you it's true." - a bit dramatic or playful.
"You can believe me." - reassuring.
"It's the truth." - serious tone.
"I can't believe it either."
"It's crazy but it's true." - friendly and common.
"I assure you it's true."
"I saw it with my own eyes."
"And yet…" - philosophical / poetic twist 😉.