Have you ever wanted to celebrate with friends in another language? Learning how to say “high five” in French can be a fun and useful way to connect with others. This phrase is often used when people are excited or want to cheer each other on after accomplishing something great.
In this article, we’ll explore how to say “high five” in French, discover alternative ways to express the same idea, and even practice using the phrase. Whether you’re hanging out with French-speaking friends or just want to expand your language skills, learning this simple expression will add a bit of excitement to your conversations. Let’s get started!
Ways to Say High Five in French
There are several ways to say “high five” in French, depending on the situation or level of formality. While the phrase itself is often borrowed directly as “high five” in casual settings, French speakers have developed their own terms to convey the same gesture of celebration or encouragement. Below, you’ll find different ways to express “high five,” with pronunciation guides and example sentences to help you use them effectively.
1. Tape m’en cinq
Pronunciation: tahp mahn sank
Meaning: Give me five (literal translation of “high five”).
In a Sentence:
- Après le but, il a crié : “Tape m’en cinq, mon ami !” (After the goal, he shouted, “Give me five, my friend!”)
- “Super travail en équipe ! Tape m’en cinq !” (Great teamwork! High five!)
2. Une claque dans la main
Pronunciation: uhn klak dahn lah mahn
Meaning: A slap in the hand.
In a Sentence:
- On a réussi notre projet ! Une claque dans la main ! (We finished our project! High five!)
- “Une claque dans la main pour fêter ça !” (A slap in the hand to celebrate this!)
3. High Five
Pronunciation: hay fyev
Meaning: The English term is often used directly, especially among younger French speakers.
In a Sentence:
- “High five ! Tu as gagné !” (High five! You won!)
- “C’était génial ! High five !” (That was amazing! High five!)
4. Tape-là
Pronunciation: tahp lah
Meaning: Slap it (informal, direct).
In a Sentence:
- “Vite, tape-là avant qu’il parte !” (Quick, slap it before he leaves!)
- “Bien joué ! Tape-là !” (Well done! High five!)
5. Taper dans la main
Pronunciation: tah-pay dahn lah mahn
Meaning: To clap or tap hands.
In a Sentence:
- “Quand ils ont gagné, ils ont tous tapé dans la main.” (When they won, they all high-fived.)
- “Taper dans la main est une tradition après un bon jeu.” (High-fiving is a tradition after a good play.)
6. Cinq sur cinq
Pronunciation: sank sur sank
Meaning: Five out of five (used symbolically for high five).
In a Sentence:
- “C’est parfait, cinq sur cinq pour toi !” (That’s perfect, high five for you!)
- “Bravo ! Cinq sur cinq !” (Great job! High five!)
7. Bravo ! Tape !
Pronunciation: brah-voh tahp
Meaning: Bravo! Hit it!
In a Sentence:
- “Bravo ! Tape pour fêter cette victoire !” (Bravo! High five to celebrate this victory!)
- “Bravo à tous, tapez avec moi !” (Bravo everyone, high five with me!)
8. Tape-là, copain !
Pronunciation: tahp lah, koh-pan
Meaning: Slap it, buddy!
In a Sentence:
- “On a gagné le match, tape-là, copain !” (We won the game, high five, buddy!)
- “Tape-là, copain, tu es le meilleur !” (High five, buddy, you’re the best!)
9. Haut les mains
Pronunciation: oh lay mahn
Meaning: Hands up (used playfully in some cases).
In a Sentence:
- “Haut les mains pour célébrer notre succès !” (Hands up to celebrate our success!)
- “Haut les mains et tape-là !” (Hands up and high five!)
10. Bien joué ! Tape m’en cinq !
Pronunciation: byan zhway tahp mahn sank
Meaning: Well played! Give me five!
In a Sentence:
- “Bien joué, champion ! Tape m’en cinq !” (Well played, champ! High five!)
- “Bien joué à l’équipe, tapez m’en cinq !” (Well played, team, high five!)
11. Taper dans les mains
Pronunciation: tah-pay dahn lay mahn
Meaning: To clap hands together.
In a Sentence:
- “Après chaque victoire, ils aiment taper dans les mains.” (After every win, they like to high five.)
- “Taper dans les mains montre notre enthousiasme.” (High fiving shows our enthusiasm.)
12. Donne-moi cinq
Pronunciation: don mwah sank
Meaning: Give me five (another informal version).
In a Sentence:
- “Super idée, donne-moi cinq !” (Great idea, give me five!)
- “Donne-moi cinq pour ce succès !” (Give me five for this success!)
13. Un coup de main
Pronunciation: uhn koo duh mahn
Meaning: A hand slap (informal and casual).
In a Sentence:
- “Après le match, un coup de main pour célébrer !” (After the game, a high five to celebrate!)
- “Un coup de main pour un travail bien fait !” (A hand slap for a job well done!)
14. Une tape amicale
Pronunciation: uhn tahp ah-mee-kahl
Meaning: A friendly slap.
In a Sentence:
- “Une tape amicale pour cette réussite !” (A friendly high five for this achievement!)
- “Bravo ! Une tape amicale pour toi !” (Bravo! A friendly high five for you!)
15. Top là
Pronunciation: top lah
Meaning: High five (short and casual).
In a Sentence:
- “Top là, on l’a fait !” (High five, we did it!)
- “C’est terminé, top là pour nous !” (It’s done, high five for us!)
16. Tape-la-haut
Pronunciation: tahp lah oh
Meaning: Slap it up high.
In a Sentence:
- “Tape-la-haut, mon ami !” (Slap it up high, my friend!)
- “Pour célébrer, tape-la-haut avec moi !” (To celebrate, high five me!)
17. Haut cinq
Pronunciation: oh sank
Meaning: High five (literal and playful).
In a Sentence:
- “Haut cinq pour cette performance incroyable !” (High five for this amazing performance!)
- “C’est génial, haut cinq !” (This is awesome, high five!)
18. Donne-moi une claque
Pronunciation: don mwah uhn klak
Meaning: Give me a slap.
In a Sentence:
- “Donne-moi une claque pour notre victoire !” (Give me a slap for our victory!)
- “Bravo ! Donne-moi une claque amicale !” (Bravo! Give me a friendly slap!)
19. Tape ici
Pronunciation: tahp ee-see
Meaning: Slap here.
In a Sentence:
- “Tape ici pour fêter ça !” (Slap here to celebrate this!)
- “Vite, tape ici, on est les meilleurs !” (Quick, slap here, we’re the best!)
20. Tape un coup
Pronunciation: tahp uhn koo
Meaning: Give a tap.
In a Sentence:
- “Tape un coup pour cette réussite incroyable !” (Give a tap for this incredible success!)
- “Allez, tape un coup pour la victoire !” (Come on, high five for the win!)
21. Donne-moi la main
Pronunciation: don mwah lah mahn
Meaning: Give me your hand (used for celebratory gestures).
In a Sentence:
- “Donne-moi la main pour ce travail d’équipe !” (Give me your hand for this teamwork!)
- “Superbe performance ! Donne-moi la main !” (Great performance! High five!)
22. Tape-là, mon pote
Pronunciation: tahp lah, mon poht
Meaning: Slap it, buddy.
In a Sentence:
- “Bien joué, tape-là, mon pote !” (Well done, high five, buddy!)
- “Tape-là, mon pote, pour notre victoire !” (High five, buddy, for our win!)
23. Bien haut
Pronunciation: byan oh
Meaning: Way up high.
In a Sentence:
- “Bien haut pour célébrer cette victoire !” (Way up high to celebrate this victory!)
- “Allez, bien haut, on est les champions !” (Come on, way up high, we’re the champions!)
24. La tape du gagnant
Pronunciation: lah tahp doo gah-nahn
Meaning: The winner’s high five.
In a Sentence:
- “Voilà la tape du gagnant pour vous !” (Here’s the winner’s high five for you!)
- “La tape du gagnant pour notre équipe !” (The winner’s high five for our team!)
25. Allez, tape !
Pronunciation: ah-lay, tahp
Meaning: Come on, slap it!
In a Sentence:
- “Allez, tape, on est incroyables !” (Come on, high five, we’re amazing!)
- “Allez, tape pour cette performance exceptionnelle !” (Come on, high five for this exceptional performance!)
26. Cinq par là
Pronunciation: sank par lah
Meaning: Five over here.
In a Sentence:
- “Cinq par là, c’était génial !” (High five over here, that was great!)
- “Allez, cinq par là pour notre victoire !” (Come on, high five over here for our win!)
27. Main haute
Pronunciation: mahn oh
Meaning: Hand up high.
In a Sentence:
- “Main haute, on l’a fait !” (Hand up high, we did it!)
- “Pour fêter ça, main haute !” (To celebrate this, hand up high!)
28. Bravo et tape !
Pronunciation: brah-voh ay tahp
Meaning: Bravo and slap it!
In a Sentence:
- “Bravo et tape pour une belle performance !” (Bravo and high five for a great performance!)
- “Super travail ! Bravo et tape !” (Great job! Bravo and high five!)
29. Une tape sur la main
Pronunciation: uhn tahp sur lah mahn
Meaning: A slap on the hand.
In a Sentence:
- “Après la victoire, une tape sur la main pour tout le monde !” (After the win, a high five for everyone!)
- “Une tape sur la main pour ce succès incroyable !” (A slap on the hand for this incredible success!)
30. Tape fort !
Pronunciation: tahp for
Meaning: Slap hard!
In a Sentence:
- “Tape fort pour célébrer !” (Slap hard to celebrate!)
- “Allez, tape fort, on est imbattables !” (Come on, slap hard, we’re unbeatable!)
Other Ways to Say High Five in French
Here is a table with additional phrases to express “high five” in French. These variations can be used to add variety and suit different contexts, from playful to formal interactions.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Frappe-moi la main | frahp mwah lah mahn | Hit my hand | “Frappe-moi la main pour célébrer notre victoire !” (Hit my hand to celebrate our win!) |
| Tape haut | tahp oh | Slap up high | “Tape haut, on a fini en premier !” (High five, we finished first!) |
| Claque-moi cinq | klak mwah sank | Slap me five | “Claque-moi cinq, tu as fait un super travail !” (High five, you did an amazing job!) |
| Main en l’air | mahn ahn lehr | Hand in the air | “Main en l’air, c’est génial !” (Hand in the air, this is awesome!) |
| Haut la main ! | oh lah mahn | High hand | “Haut la main pour fêter cette victoire !” (High hand to celebrate this win!) |
| Tope-là | tohp lah | Slap it | “Tope-là, on a gagné !” (Slap it, we won!) |
| Une tape pour ça | uhn tahp poor sah | A slap for that | “Une tape pour ça, c’était incroyable !” (A high five for that, it was incredible!) |
| Top cinq | top sank | Top five | “Top cinq, bravo !” (Top five, bravo!) |
| Tape de joie | tahp duh zhwah | Joyful slap | “Tape de joie pour célébrer ce succès !” (High five to celebrate this success!) |
| Une gifle amicale | uhn zhif ah-mee-kahl | A friendly slap | “Une gifle amicale pour marquer ce moment !” (A friendly high five to mark this moment!) |
| Allez, claque ! | ah-lay klak | Come on, slap! | “Allez, claque pour notre victoire !” (Come on, high five for our win!) |
| Fais voir ta main | fay vwar tah mahn | Show me your hand | “Fais voir ta main pour ce bel effort !” (Show me your hand for this great effort!) |
| Serre la main | sehr lah mahn | Shake hands (informally adapted) | “Serre la main, mon ami !” (High five, my friend!) |
| Une claque du succès | uhn klak doo sook-say | A slap of success | “Une claque du succès pour notre équipe !” (A high five of success for our team!) |
| Une tape au sommet | uhn tahp oh soh-meh | A slap at the top | “Une tape au sommet pour cette performance !” (A high five for this performance!) |
| Un top en l’air | uhn tohp ahn lehr | A top in the air | “Un top en l’air pour fêter ça !” (A high five in the air to celebrate this!) |
| Une frappe énergique | uhn frahp ay-nair-zheek | A vigorous slap | “Une frappe énergique pour cet accomplissement !” (A high five for this achievement!) |
| Un cinq rapide | uhn sank rah-peed | A quick five | “Un cinq rapide avant de partir !” (A quick high five before leaving!) |
| Un cinq parfait | uhn sank par-fay | A perfect five | “Un cinq parfait pour une victoire parfaite !” (A perfect high five for a perfect win!) |
| Donne-moi un coup | don mwah uhn koo | Give me a slap | “Donne-moi un coup, c’était incroyable !” (Give me a slap, that was amazing!) |
Response to High Five in French
When someone offers a high five in French, it’s fun to know how to respond appropriately. These responses can show your excitement, agreement, or simply acknowledge the gesture in a playful or enthusiastic way. Below are some phrases you can use as a response when someone says or gestures for a high five.
1. Bien sûr !
Pronunciation: byan soor
Meaning: Of course!
In a Sentence:
- “Un high five ? Bien sûr !” (A high five? Of course!)
- “Bien sûr, tape-là !” (Of course, slap it!)
2. Avec plaisir !
Pronunciation: ah-vek pleh-zeer
Meaning: With pleasure!
In a Sentence:
- “Avec plaisir, allons-y !” (With pleasure, let’s do it!)
- “Oui, avec plaisir, tape-moi cinq !” (Yes, with pleasure, give me five!)
3. Je suis prêt(e) !
Pronunciation: juh swee preh (or preht for feminine)
Meaning: I’m ready!
In a Sentence:
- “Je suis prêt, allons-y !” (I’m ready, let’s go!)
- “Tape-là, je suis prêt(e) !” (Slap it, I’m ready!)
4. Voilà !
Pronunciation: vwah-lah
Meaning: Here you go!
In a Sentence:
- “Un high five ? Voilà !” (A high five? Here you go!)
- “Tape-moi cinq, voilà !” (High five me, here you go!)
5. Super idée !
Pronunciation: soo-pehr ee-day
Meaning: Great idea!
In a Sentence:
- “High five ? Super idée !” (High five? Great idea!)
- “C’est une super idée, tape-là !” (That’s a great idea, slap it!)
6. Bien joué !
Pronunciation: byan zhway
Meaning: Well done!
In a Sentence:
- “Bien joué, tape m’en cinq !” (Well done, give me five!)
- “Bravo à toi, bien joué !” (Congrats to you, well done!)
7. Oui, top-là !
Pronunciation: wee tohp lah
Meaning: Yes, slap it!
In a Sentence:
- “Oui, top-là pour célébrer !” (Yes, slap it to celebrate!)
- “Top-là, oui, super boulot !” (Slap it, yes, great job!)
8. Je suis d’accord !
Pronunciation: juh swee dah-kohr
Meaning: I agree!
In a Sentence:
- “High five ? Je suis d’accord !” (High five? I agree!)
- “Allez, je suis d’accord, tape-là !” (Alright, I agree, slap it!)
9. Tu l’as mérité !
Pronunciation: tu lah meh-ree-tay
Meaning: You earned it!
In a Sentence:
- “Un cinq ? Tu l’as mérité !” (A five? You earned it!)
- “Bravo, tu l’as mérité, tape-là !” (Congrats, you earned it, high five!)
10. Fantastique !
Pronunciation: fahn-tah-steek
Meaning: Fantastic!
In a Sentence:
- “Un high five ? Fantastique !” (A high five? Fantastic!)
- “C’est fantastique, tape-moi cinq !” (That’s fantastic, give me five!)
11. Tapons ensemble !
Pronunciation: tah-pon ahn-sahmbl
Meaning: Let’s slap together!
In a Sentence:
- “Tapons ensemble pour fêter ça !” (Let’s high five to celebrate this!)
- “Allez, tapons ensemble, c’est incroyable !” (Come on, let’s high five, it’s amazing!)
12. Pourquoi pas !
Pronunciation: pohr-kwah pah
Meaning: Why not!
In a Sentence:
- “Un high five ? Pourquoi pas !” (A high five? Why not!)
- “Tape m’en cinq, pourquoi pas !” (Give me five, why not!)
13. C’est parti !
Pronunciation: say par-tee
Meaning: Let’s go!
In a Sentence:
- “Un cinq ? C’est parti !” (A high five? Let’s go!)
- “C’est parti, tape-là vite !” (Let’s go, slap it quickly!)
14. Bravo à toi !
Pronunciation: brah-voh ah twah
Meaning: Bravo to you!
In a Sentence:
- “Bravo à toi, tape-là pour marquer le coup !” (Bravo to you, high five to mark the moment!)
- “Un succès ? Bravo à toi !” (A success? Bravo to you!)
15. Faisons-le !
Pronunciation: fay-zohn luh
Meaning: Let’s do it!
In a Sentence:
- “High five ? Faisons-le !” (High five? Let’s do it!)
- “Allez, faisons-le, tape-moi cinq !” (Come on, let’s do it, give me five!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “High Five” in French
Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice using the phrases for “high five” in French. Each sentence includes a real-life scenario, making it easier for you to connect and learn. Try filling in the blanks with the correct phrase and check your answers afterward.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- À la fin du match, il a dit : “________, on a gagné !”
- Pendant la fête, elle a crié : “C’est fantastique, ________ !”
- Après avoir terminé le projet, ils se sont dit : “________ pour ce travail incroyable !”
- Avant de partir, il a demandé : “________, c’était génial !”
- Lors du pique-nique, quelqu’un a dit : “________ pour célébrer notre succès !”
- Après le test, elle a dit à son amie : “________, tu as bien fait !”
- Quand ils ont atteint le sommet de la montagne, ils ont dit : “________ pour marquer ce moment !”
- Lors du concert, il a crié : “Bravo, ________ avec moi !”
- À la fin du dîner, ils ont conclu : “________, c’était parfait !”
- Au parc d’attractions, les enfants ont dit : “________, on a adoré ça !”
- Après une réunion réussie, il a dit : “________, on l’a fait !”
- Avant de se séparer, ils se sont dit : “________ pour cette journée incroyable !”
Answers and Translations:
- Tape m’en cinq, on a gagné !
(High five, we won!) - C’est fantastique, high five !
(It’s fantastic, high five!) - Bravo, tape-là pour ce travail incroyable !
(Well done, high five for this amazing work!) - Avant de partir, il a demandé : Top-là, c’était génial !
(High five, that was awesome!) - Une claque dans la main pour célébrer notre succès !
(A slap in the hand to celebrate our success!) - Donne-moi cinq, tu as bien fait !
(Give me five, you did great!) - Haut cinq pour marquer ce moment !
(High five to mark this moment!) - Bravo, tapons ensemble avec moi !
(Bravo, let’s high five together!) - Une tape amicale, c’était parfait !
(A friendly high five, it was perfect!) - Tape haut, on a adoré ça !
(High five, we loved it!) - Top cinq, on l’a fait !
(Top five, we did it!) - Frappe-moi la main pour cette journée incroyable !
(Hit my hand for this amazing day!)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “high five” in French is a fun and engaging way to enhance your language skills and connect with others. Whether you use phrases like “Tape m’en cinq” or simply the English term “High Five”, these expressions can add excitement to your conversations and celebrations.
Practicing these phrases and responses will not only boost your confidence but also make your interactions more natural and memorable. So next time you want to celebrate with French-speaking friends, try out one of these phrases—you’ll be sure to spread smiles and good vibes! Keep practicing, and enjoy making new connections through language.