Learning French: être KO and more sleepy slang sayings

Late nights, early mornings, Christmas parties, New Year celebrations… You are sure to find an opportunity to say je suis KO as the end-of-year festivities finally fizzle out.

This easy, informal phrase is mainly used to express feelings of exhaustion.

We look at how to use être KO in casual conversation and explain how to pronounce it like a native French speaker.

What does être KO mean?

It literally translates as, to be KO, with the letters K and O standing for: knocked out. 

It is a popular informal way for French people to say that they are very tired, similar to the English saying: to be shattered. 

You might hear mettre KO, which refers to someone physically blacking out from a blow to the head. It can also describe losing a competition and being removed from a league table.

Some people even use this term to describe something rubbish or failed.

Read also: Faire la grasse matinée and more French sleep phrases

What are the origins of être KO?

This term comes from the world of boxing and was first used at the end of the 19th Century.

When a powerful punch means an opponent can no longer fight back, they are declared KO. The match is over and a winner is crowned.

Être KO had filtered into everyday conversations by the late 20th Century to describe being in a ‘knocked out’ state - feeling exhausted after having put in a lot of physical or mental effort.

How do you say être KO?

Remember to say KO using the French alphabet pronunciations. 

This would sound something like: kah-oh.

Be careful not to confuse KO with the similarly sounding, je suis chaos (literally: I am chaos).

When do you say être KO?

You might say this when you are exhausted or even just in need of a coffee break:

• Après avoir fait 20 000 pas aujourd'hui, je suis KO. - After doing 20,000 steps today, I am shattered.

• Elle est KO sur le canapé depuis qu'elle est rentrée du travail. - She has been knocked out on the sofa since she got home from work.

Some people might also say this to refer to something failed or broken:

• Je dois appeler un garagiste car ma voiture est KO. - I need to phone a mechanic because my car is dead.

Read also: Seven everyday French expressions borrowed from the world of sport

To whom do you say être KO?

It is informal language and can be used with friends and family. It is particularly popular with younger generations but can be used by all ages.

You should avoid saying this in formal situations such as job interviews or important meetings, as it could come across as inappropriate.

Read also: Seven ways to complain like a French person

More sleepy slang sayings

• Être épuisé - To be exhausted

• Être claqué - To be knackered

• Être vanné - To be spent

• Être crevé - To be dead tired

• Être mort - To be dead

• Être lessivé - To be wiped out 

• Être en PLS (position latérale de sécurité) - To be in the recovery position