Learning French: what does fastoche mean and when should it be used?

Do not be alarmed by the peculiar -oche suffix… this fun French word is easy-peasy to use and understand. 

We look at simple ways to sprinkle fastoche into casual everyday French conversations.

What does fastoche mean?

This informal term is used in a similar way to the English phrase ‘easy-peasy’, to describe something simple and unchallenging. 

Similar expressions include:

• Facile comme tout - Easy as anything

• C’est du gâteau - It’s a piece of cake

• Simple comme bonjour - Simple pimple

• Bête comme chou - Dead easy

Read also: Learning French: c’est cadeau and other gift-themed expressions

What does -oche mean?

Fastoche stems from the French word facile with the suffix -oche.

This suffix is sometimes added onto the root of French words to create ‘made-up’ slang terms.

Examples include:

• Cantoche - Cantine

• Cinoche - Cinema

• Téloche - Television

• Bavardoche - To be chatty

Quiz:

Question 1 - Can you guess the meaning of festoche ?

Question 2 - Can you guess the meaning of pistoche ?

Read also: Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions

When do you say fastoche?

Say this when you find something very easy to achieve:

• Même si tu n'as jamais cuisiné avant, cette recette est fastoche. - Even if you have never cooked before, this recipe is super simple.

• Cet itinéraire de randonnée est plat, fastoche et ne prend que 45 minutes. - This hiking route is flat, easy-peasy and it will only take 45 minutes.

It can also be used in a negative form to indicate something is more challenging:

• Apprendre à parler français n'est pas fastoche. Il faut du temps et de la détermination. - Learning to speak French is no simple task. It takes time and determination. 

• Il pensait réussir l'examen, fastoche, mais en réalité il a vraiment galéré. - He thought he would pass the exam dead easy, but in reality he really struggled.

Read more: Learning French: the origins and meaning of les doigts dans le nez

To whom do you say fastoche?

It is informal, colloquial language that can be said around friends and family - especially with younger generations who might find the word amusing. 

It should generally be avoided in formal or professional situations, as the word may come across as childish or rude. 

You will hear it spoken out loud and perhaps written in casual message exchanges or fun marketing campaigns.

If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com