Languages › French How to Use the Casual French Term 'Sympa' Print French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on April 04, 2018 Most people in France use the casual adjective sympa (pronounced "sam pa)" to mean "nice" when they're describing a person or thing that they like. It's a very versatile word and can be used to express general affection for places, objects, and ideas or concepts in addition to people you know. French speakers also use sympa to mean "pleasant," "friendly," and "good." Expressions and Usage There are any number of ways you can use sympa in everyday conversation. For instance: super sympa > very nice avoir l'air sympa > to look kind Elle est très sympa. > She's a really nice person. C'est un type sympa. > He's a nice guy. C'est un type vraiment sympa. > He's a really nice guy. Il n'est vraiment pas sympa. > He's not very nice at all. type sympa, mec sympa, chic type, mec bien (very colloquial) > nice guy Merci, c'est sympa. > Thanks, I appreciate it. Ça va être sympa. > That'll be nice. Ton copain est super sympa ! > Your boyfriend is really nice! Elle n'est vraiment pas sympa. > She's not very nice at all. sympa, amusant, drôle, marant > fun Allez, sois sympa. > Go on, be a sport. un coin sympa pour pique-niquer > a nice spot for a picnic Ceci est une touche très sympa. > This is a really nice touch. Ce n'est pas très sympa mais, après tout, on devait trouver une solution. > That's not very nice, but, after all, we had to find a solution. C’était aussi très sympa de rencontrer plein d’autres collègues de différents pays. > It was also very nice to see a lot of my colleagues from different countries. Peter, sympa mais avec grande gueule... > Peter is a nice guy but he has a big mouth. Géniale ! C’était sympa et enrichissant à la fois. > It was great! Fun and enriching at the same time. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the Casual French Term 'Sympa'." ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/sympa-vocabulary-1372623. Team, ThoughtCo. (2021, December 6). How to Use the Casual French Term 'Sympa'. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sympa-vocabulary-1372623 Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the Casual French Term 'Sympa'." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/sympa-vocabulary-1372623 (accessed March 19, 2024). copy citation