In any language, expressing excitement or happiness is a key part of communication. In English, when people feel happy or excited, they often say “yay.” But how do you express that same joy in French? Knowing how to say “yay” in French will help you share your excitement with others in a fun and authentic way. Whether you’re celebrating a victory, a good piece of news, or simply feeling happy, you’ll want to know how to show your emotions in French.
In this article, we will explore different ways to say “yay” in French. We will look at phrases and expressions that French speakers commonly use to express happiness or excitement. By learning these, you will be able to add a little French flair to your celebrations and reactions! Let’s get started and see how you can express joy in French!
Ways to say “Yay” in French
There are several ways to say “yay” in French, depending on the context and how excited you feel. Let’s take a look at these different expressions and how they can be used in everyday conversations. These will help you express joy or excitement like a native French speaker!
1. Youpi
Pronunciation: /juːˈpi/
Meaning: This is the most direct translation of “yay” in French. It’s often used to express simple joy or happiness. It can be said when something good happens or when you’re celebrating.
In a Sentence:
- Youpi, j’ai réussi mon examen ! (Yay, I passed my exam!)
- Youpi, c’est les vacances ! (Yay, it’s vacation time!)
2. Super
Pronunciation: /suːˈpeɹ/
Meaning: “Super” is a common word used in French to express excitement or approval. It’s similar to saying “great” or “awesome” in English. It’s a very versatile word that can fit many situations.
In a Sentence:
- Super, on va au concert ce soir ! (Yay, we’re going to the concert tonight!)
- C’est super, j’ai trouvé mon téléphone ! (Yay, I found my phone!)
3. Génial
Pronunciation: /ʒeˈnjal/
Meaning: “Génial” means “brilliant” or “great.” It’s often used to express happiness or excitement when something amazing happens.
In a Sentence:
- Génial, tu as réussi à organiser la fête ! (Yay, you managed to organize the party!)
- Oh génial, j’ai gagné le jeu ! (Yay, I won the game!)
4. Trop bien
Pronunciation: /tʁo bjen/
Meaning: “Trop bien” is a casual expression that means “so good” or “too good.” It’s often used when something is really exciting or impressive.
In a Sentence:
- Trop bien, on part en voyage ! (Yay, we’re going on a trip!)
- C’est trop bien que tu aies gagné ! (Yay, it’s so good that you won!)
5. Wahou
Pronunciation: /waʊ/
Meaning: “Wahou” is similar to the English “wow.” It’s an expression of surprise, admiration, or excitement. It’s often used when something impressive or unexpected happens.
In a Sentence:
- Wahou, regarde cette vue ! (Wow, look at that view!)
- Wahou, tu as couru un marathon ! (Yay, you ran a marathon!)
6. Hourra
Pronunciation: /uːˈra/
Meaning: “Hourra” is the French equivalent of “hurrah” or “hooray.” It’s used in moments of celebration, like after a victory or accomplishment.
In a Sentence:
- Hourra, notre équipe a gagné ! (Yay, our team won!)
- Hourra, la présentation est terminée ! (Yay, the presentation is finished!)
7. Ça déchire
Pronunciation: /sa deˈʃiʁ/
Meaning: Literally meaning “it tears,” this phrase is used to say something is awesome or amazing. It’s very informal and used by younger people, similar to saying “that’s awesome” or “that’s cool.”
In a Sentence:
- Ça déchire, ce film est incroyable ! (Yay, this movie is amazing!)
- Ce gâteau ça déchire ! (Yay, this cake is awesome!)
8. C’est génial
Pronunciation: /se ʒeˈnjal/
Meaning: This phrase means “it’s great” or “it’s brilliant.” It’s used when something exciting or fantastic happens.
In a Sentence:
- C’est génial qu’on puisse se voir ce week-end ! (Yay, it’s great that we can meet this weekend!)
- C’est génial, je vais en vacances ! (Yay, I’m going on vacation!)
9. Chouette
Pronunciation: /ʃwɛt/
Meaning: “Chouette” is an informal and fun way to say something is great. It literally means “owl,” but when used in this context, it’s like saying “cool” or “awesome.”
In a Sentence:
- Chouette, j’ai trouvé mes clés ! (Yay, I found my keys!)
- C’est chouette, on va à la plage ! (Yay, we’re going to the beach!)
10. Bien joué
Pronunciation: /bjɛ̃ ʒwe/
Meaning: This phrase means “well done” or “good job.” It’s often used to express joy when someone accomplishes something.
In a Sentence:
- Bien joué, tu as terminé le puzzle ! (Yay, you finished the puzzle!)
- Bien joué, tu as réussi ton test ! (Yay, you passed your test!)
11. Vive
Pronunciation: /viv/
Meaning: This word is often used in expressions of cheer, similar to saying “long live” or “hurrah” in English. It’s used to show excitement about something.
In a Sentence:
- Vive la liberté ! (Yay, long live freedom!)
- Vive notre équipe de foot ! (Yay, long live our soccer team!)
12. Quel bonheur
Pronunciation: /kɛl bɔnœʁ/
Meaning: “Quel bonheur” translates to “What a joy” or “How wonderful.” It expresses a deep feeling of happiness or excitement.
In a Sentence:
- Quel bonheur de te voir ! (Yay, what a joy to see you!)
- Quel bonheur, j’ai gagné le concours ! (Yay, how wonderful, I won the contest!)
13. Trop cool
Pronunciation: /tʁo kul/
Meaning: “Trop cool” is a casual, modern way to say something is really cool or awesome. It’s similar to “so cool” in English.
In a Sentence:
- Trop cool, tu as eu ton permis de conduire ! (Yay, you got your driver’s license!)
- C’est trop cool de partir en voyage ensemble ! (Yay, it’s so cool to go on a trip together!)
14. C’est top
Pronunciation: /se tɔp/
Meaning: “C’est top” is a popular French phrase that means “it’s great” or “it’s the best.” It’s a simple way to express excitement or approval.
In a Sentence:
- C’est top, on a gagné ! (Yay, we won!)
- C’est top, ce film était incroyable ! (Yay, that movie was amazing!)
15. Bravo
Pronunciation: /bʁa.vo/
Meaning: “Bravo” is used to congratulate someone or express excitement about an achievement. It’s similar to saying “well done” or “good job.”
In a Sentence:
- Bravo, tu as bien travaillé ! (Yay, you did a great job!)
- Bravo, tu as fini ton projet ! (Yay, you finished your project!)
16. Wouah
Pronunciation: /wɑ/
Meaning: Similar to “wow,” “wouah” is an expression of surprise, admiration, or excitement.
In a Sentence:
- Wouah, ce gâteau est magnifique ! (Yay, this cake is amazing!)
- Wouah, tu as fait un excellent travail ! (Yay, you did an excellent job!)
17. Trop fort
Pronunciation: /tʁo fɔʁ/
Meaning: “Trop fort” is used to say something is “really strong” or “awesome,” especially when you’re impressed by something.
In a Sentence:
- Trop fort, tu as réussi ton exploit ! (Yay, you succeeded in your achievement!)
- C’est trop fort, ce concert était incroyable ! (Yay, this concert was incredible!)
18. C’est de la bombe
Pronunciation: /se də la bɔmb/
Meaning: This is an informal expression meaning something is amazing or very exciting, similar to saying “it’s awesome” in English.
In a Sentence:
- C’est de la bombe, cette fête est géniale ! (Yay, this party is awesome!)
- C’est de la bombe, le film était incroyable ! (Yay, the movie was amazing!)
19. Hourra pour nous
Pronunciation: /uːˈra puʁ nu/
Meaning: This phrase means “hooray for us.” It’s used to celebrate a group achievement or victory.
In a Sentence:
- Hourra pour nous, nous avons gagné ! (Yay, hooray for us, we won!)
- Hourra pour nous, c’était une journée réussie ! (Yay, hooray for us, it was a successful day!)
20. Quelle chance
Pronunciation: /kɛl ʃɑ̃s/
Meaning: “Quelle chance” translates to “what luck” and can be used when you’re feeling lucky or excited about good fortune.
In a Sentence:
- Quelle chance, j’ai gagné à la loterie ! (Yay, what luck, I won the lottery!)
- Quelle chance, il fait beau aujourd’hui ! (Yay, what luck, the weather is nice today!)
21. C’est énorme
Pronunciation: /se e.nɔʁm/
Meaning: “C’est énorme” means “it’s huge” or “it’s enormous,” used when something is really exciting or amazing.
In a Sentence:
- C’est énorme, on a battu le record ! (Yay, it’s huge, we broke the record!)
- C’est énorme, j’ai eu une promotion ! (Yay, it’s huge, I got a promotion!)
22. Ça roule
Pronunciation: /sa ʁul/
Meaning: “Ça roule” literally means “it rolls,” but it’s often used to mean “everything’s going smoothly” or “everything’s great.” It’s a casual and cool way to express happiness.
In a Sentence:
- Ça roule, je vais enfin en vacances ! (Yay, everything’s going smoothly, I’m finally going on vacation!)
- Ça roule, on a tout préparé pour la fête ! (Yay, everything’s great, we’ve prepared everything for the party!)
23. C’est trop cool
Pronunciation: /se tʁo kul/
Meaning: Similar to “trop cool,” this phrase is another way to say something is very exciting or amazing.
In a Sentence:
- C’est trop cool, tu as eu une nouvelle voiture ! (Yay, that’s so cool, you got a new car!)
- C’est trop cool, on va à Disneyland ! (Yay, that’s so cool, we’re going to Disneyland!)
24. Génialissime
Pronunciation: /ʒe.nja.li.sim/
Meaning: This is an exaggerated form of “génial,” used to show even greater excitement. It’s like saying “super awesome” or “totally amazing.”
In a Sentence:
- Génialissime, on a gagné le match ! (Yay, super awesome, we won the game!)
- C’est génialissime, j’ai trouvé un super travail ! (Yay, it’s totally amazing, I found a great job!)
25. C’est chouette ça
Pronunciation: /se ʃwɛt sa/
Meaning: This phrase is another way of saying “that’s great” or “that’s cool.” It’s informal and often used in friendly conversations.
In a Sentence:
- C’est chouette ça, tu as eu ton diplôme ! (Yay, that’s great, you got your diploma!)
- C’est chouette ça, nous allons au parc ! (Yay, that’s cool, we’re going to the park!)
Other Ways to Say “Yay” in French
Here’s a markdown table with additional ways to express excitement, joy, or celebration in French. Each phrase includes the pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences to show how they can be used in everyday conversations.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Ça va être génial | /sa va ɛtʁə ʒe.njal/ | “It’s going to be great” | – Ça va être génial, j’ai hâte d’être à la fête ! (Yay, it’s going to be great, I can’t wait for the party!) – Ça va être génial, nous allons à la plage ! (Yay, it’s going to be great, we’re going to the beach!) |
| Trop top | /tʁo tɔp/ | “Really great” or “Awesome” | – Trop top, j’ai eu mon diplôme ! (Yay, I got my diploma!) – Ce film est trop top, tu dois le voir ! (Yay, this movie is awesome, you have to see it!) |
| C’est le pied | /se lə pjed/ | “It’s awesome” (literally, “it’s the foot”) | – C’est le pied de partir en vacances ! (Yay, it’s awesome to go on vacation!) – C’est le pied, on a gagné ! (Yay, it’s awesome, we won!) |
| Chouette, non ? | /ʃwɛt nɔ̃/ | “Cool, right?” | – Chouette, non ? J’ai trouvé un super cadeau pour toi ! (Yay, cool, right? I found a great gift for you!) – Chouette, non ? Nous partons ce week-end ! (Yay, cool, right? We’re leaving this weekend!) |
| C’est de la folie | /se də la fɔ.li/ | “It’s crazy!” (used to express extreme excitement) | – C’est de la folie, cette fête est incroyable ! (Yay, it’s crazy, this party is incredible!) – C’est de la folie, j’ai eu mon premier emploi ! (Yay, it’s crazy, I got my first job!) |
| Je suis trop content | /ʒə sɥi tʁo kɔ̃.tɑ̃/ | “I’m so happy” | – Je suis trop content, mes parents arrivent ce soir ! (Yay, I’m so happy, my parents are coming tonight!) – Je suis trop content, j’ai acheté une nouvelle voiture ! (Yay, I’m so happy, I bought a new car!) |
| C’est pas mal du tout | /se pa mal dy tu/ | “It’s not bad at all” (used to express positive surprise) | – C’est pas mal du tout, ton projet est super ! (Yay, it’s not bad at all, your project is great!) – C’est pas mal du tout, on a gagné ! (Yay, it’s not bad at all, we won!) |
| Vive la vie | /viv la vi/ | “Long live life” (used to celebrate life or a happy moment) | – Vive la vie, on est tous ensemble ! (Yay, long live life, we’re all together!) – Vive la vie, on part en vacances ! (Yay, long live life, we’re going on vacation!) |
| Ça c’est top | /sa sɛ tɔp/ | “That’s top” (a casual, enthusiastic expression) | – Ça c’est top, nous avons réussi à organiser la surprise ! (Yay, that’s top, we managed to organize the surprise!) – Ça c’est top, on a eu des billets pour le concert ! (Yay, that’s top, we got tickets for the concert!) |
| Wahou, quelle chance | /wa.u kɛl ʃɑ̃s/ | “Wow, what luck!” | – Wahou, quelle chance, j’ai gagné le prix ! (Yay, wow, what luck, I won the prize!) – Wahou, quelle chance, il fait beau aujourd’hui ! (Yay, wow, what luck, the weather is nice today!) |
| Magnifique | /maɲi.fik/ | “Magnificent” (expresses awe or happiness about something great) | – Magnifique, j’ai trouvé une offre incroyable ! (Yay, magnificent, I found an amazing deal!) – Magnifique, j’ai eu la promotion ! (Yay, magnificent, I got the promotion!) |
| Formidable | /fɔʁ.mi.dabl/ | “Wonderful” or “Awesome” | – Formidable, ce gâteau est délicieux ! (Yay, wonderful, this cake is delicious!) – Formidable, on a atteint notre objectif ! (Yay, awesome, we reached our goal!) |
| C’est la fête | /se la fɛt/ | “It’s a party” (used to indicate a fun, celebratory moment) | – C’est la fête, j’ai fini l’école ! (Yay, it’s a party, I’m done with school!) – C’est la fête, on va en ville ! (Yay, it’s a party, we’re going downtown!) |
| Ça me plaît trop | /sa mə plɛ tʁo/ | “I really like it” or “I love it” | – Ça me plaît trop, ce film est super ! (Yay, I really like it, this movie is great!) – Ça me plaît trop, j’adore ce gâteau ! (Yay, I really like it, I love this cake!) |
| Quel éclat | /kɛl e.kla/ | “What a brilliance” or “How splendid” | – Quel éclat, cette performance était incroyable ! (Yay, what a brilliance, that performance was amazing!) – Quel éclat, ce nouveau projet est top ! (Yay, how splendid, this new project is great!) |
Response to “Yay” in French
When someone says “yay” or expresses excitement in French, there are several ways to respond to their enthusiasm. You can join in the celebration, acknowledge their happiness, or simply share in the joy. Here are some common responses to “yay” in French, along with example sentences for each.
1. Félicitations !
Pronunciation: /fe.li.si.ta.sjɔ̃/
Meaning: “Congratulations!” This is a great response to express approval or joy for someone else’s good news or achievement.
In a Sentence:
- Félicitations pour ton nouveau travail ! (Congratulations on your new job!)
- Félicitations, tu as bien mérité ta victoire ! (Congratulations, you really earned your victory!)
2. Bravo !
Pronunciation: /bʁa.vo/
Meaning: “Well done!” This is a simple and enthusiastic response, used to acknowledge someone’s success or excitement.
In a Sentence:
- Bravo, tu as terminé le projet ! (Well done, you finished the project!)
- Bravo, c’est une excellente nouvelle ! (Well done, that’s excellent news!)
3. C’est super !
Pronunciation: /se sy.pɛʁ/
Meaning: “That’s great!” A cheerful response to show that you are also excited or happy for what the person is celebrating.
In a Sentence:
- C’est super, tu as eu une promotion ! (That’s great, you got a promotion!)
- C’est super, on va à la plage ce week-end ! (That’s great, we’re going to the beach this weekend!)
4. Quelle bonne nouvelle !
Pronunciation: /kɛl bɔn nu.vɛl/
Meaning: “What good news!” A response used to show that you are happy about the other person’s good news or excitement.
In a Sentence:
- Quelle bonne nouvelle, tu as trouvé ton appartement ! (What good news, you found your apartment!)
- Quelle bonne nouvelle, tu as réussi ton examen ! (What good news, you passed your exam!)
5. Je suis content pour toi !
Pronunciation: /ʒə sɥi kɔ̃.tɑ̃ puʁ twa/
Meaning: “I’m happy for you!” This response is used to express personal happiness for someone else’s success or joy.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis content pour toi, tu l’as fait ! (I’m happy for you, you did it!)
- Je suis content pour toi, tu mérites cette récompense ! (I’m happy for you, you deserve this reward!)
6. Ça me fait plaisir !
Pronunciation: /sa mə fɛ plɛ.ziʁ/
Meaning: “It makes me happy!” A response to show that someone else’s happiness also brings you joy.
In a Sentence:
- Ça me fait plaisir que tu aies réussi ! (It makes me happy that you succeeded!)
- Ça me fait plaisir de te voir sourire ! (It makes me happy to see you smile!)
7. C’est génial !
Pronunciation: /se ʒe.njal/
Meaning: “That’s awesome!” A response used to show that you think the situation is really great or exciting.
In a Sentence:
- C’est génial, tu as trouvé un super travail ! (That’s awesome, you found a great job!)
- C’est génial, j’ai hâte de te voir ce week-end ! (That’s awesome, I can’t wait to see you this weekend!)
8. Super, bravo !
Pronunciation: /sy.pɛʁ bʁa.vo/
Meaning: “Great, well done!” A combination of excitement and praise, used to respond to someone’s achievement.
In a Sentence:
- Super, bravo, tu as fait un super travail ! (Great, well done, you did an amazing job!)
- Super, bravo, tu as eu la note la plus élevée ! (Great, well done, you got the highest grade!)
9. C’est fantastique !
Pronunciation: /se fɑ̃.tas.tik/
Meaning: “That’s fantastic!” A response to show that you’re amazed or really happy for the other person.
In a Sentence:
- C’est fantastique, tu as gagné ! (That’s fantastic, you won!)
- C’est fantastique, j’adore cette idée ! (That’s fantastic, I love this idea!)
10. Je savais que tu pouvais le faire !
Pronunciation: /ʒə sa.vɛ kə ty pu.vɛ lə fɛʁ/
Meaning: “I knew you could do it!” This is an encouraging response to show that you had faith in the person’s ability to succeed.
In a Sentence:
- Je savais que tu pouvais le faire, félicitations ! (I knew you could do it, congratulations!)
- Je savais que tu allais réussir, bravo ! (I knew you would succeed, well done!)
11. Tu as bien mérité ça !
Pronunciation: /ty a bjɛ̃ me.ʁi.te sa/
Meaning: “You really deserved that!” A response that emphasizes how much the person deserves their success or happiness.
In a Sentence:
- Tu as bien mérité ça, tu as travaillé dur ! (You really deserved that, you worked hard!)
- Tu as bien mérité ça, tu as été super gentil ! (You really deserved that, you were so kind!)
12. Vraiment génial !
Pronunciation: /vʁɛ.mɑ̃ ʒe.njal/
Meaning: “Really awesome!” A way to show that you are extremely excited and impressed by the other person’s news or achievement.
In a Sentence:
- Vraiment génial, tu as trouvé ton rêve d’emploi ! (Really awesome, you found your dream job!)
- Vraiment génial, j’adore cette idée ! (Really awesome, I love this idea!)
13. C’est trop bien !
Pronunciation: /se tʁo bjɛ̃/
Meaning: “That’s so good!” A casual and enthusiastic response used to show approval or happiness.
In a Sentence:
- C’est trop bien, tu as gagné un prix ! (That’s so good, you won a prize!)
- C’est trop bien, tu vas au concert ce soir ! (That’s so good, you’re going to the concert tonight!)
14. T’es génial(e) !
Pronunciation: /tɛ ʒe.njal/
Meaning: “You’re awesome!” A personal response to show that you think the other person is amazing.
In a Sentence:
- T’es génial, tu as tout organisé parfaitement ! (You’re awesome, you organized everything perfectly!)
- T’es géniale, tu as trouvé la solution ! (You’re awesome, you found the solution!)
15. T’es le meilleur/la meilleure !
Pronunciation: /tɛ lə mɛ.jœʁ/ (masculine) /tɛ la mɛ.jœʁ/ (feminine)
Meaning: “You’re the best!” A celebratory and supportive way to tell someone they are amazing or did an excellent job.
In a Sentence:
- T’es le meilleur, tu as tout déchiré ! (You’re the best, you nailed it!)
- T’es la meilleure, félicitations pour ta performance ! (You’re the best, congratulations on your performance!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Yay” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice the different ways to say “yay” in French. Each sentence is in French, and you will need to choose the correct expression from the previous list to complete it. After the exercises, the answers and the meanings of the sentences will be provided.
Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises
- __________, tu as remporté le premier prix !
(Meaning: Yay, you won the first prize!) - __________, j’ai enfin terminé mon projet !
(Meaning: Yay, I finally finished my project!) - __________, j’ai trouvé un appartement !
(Meaning: Yay, I found an apartment!) - __________, cette idée est incroyable !
(Meaning: Yay, this idea is amazing!) - __________, tu as bien travaillé sur ce projet !
(Meaning: Yay, you worked really well on this project!) - __________, c’est le meilleur film que j’aie vu !
(Meaning: Yay, it’s the best movie I’ve ever seen!) - __________, j’ai réussi mon examen de conduite !
(Meaning: Yay, I passed my driving test!) - __________, on va enfin en vacances !
(Meaning: Yay, we’re finally going on vacation!) - __________, j’ai reçu un message de mon ami !
(Meaning: Yay, I received a message from my friend!) - __________, tu as fait un super travail aujourd’hui !
(Meaning: Yay, you did a great job today!) - __________, on a gagné le match !
(Meaning: Yay, we won the match!) - __________, il fait beau aujourd’hui !
(Meaning: Yay, it’s sunny today!)
Answers with Meanings
- Youpi, tu as remporté le premier prix !
(Yay, you won the first prize!) - Bravo, j’ai enfin terminé mon projet !
(Well done, I finally finished my project!) - Super, j’ai trouvé un appartement !
(Great, I found an apartment!) - C’est génial, cette idée est incroyable !
(That’s awesome, this idea is amazing!) - Félicitations, tu as bien travaillé sur ce projet !
(Congratulations, you worked really well on this project!) - Wahou, c’est le meilleur film que j’aie vu !
(Wow, it’s the best movie I’ve ever seen!) - Youpi, j’ai réussi mon examen de conduite !
(Yay, I passed my driving test!) - Ça va être génial, on va enfin en vacances !
(It’s going to be great, we’re finally going on vacation!) - Trop cool, j’ai reçu un message de mon ami !
(So cool, I received a message from my friend!) - T’es génial(e), tu as fait un super travail aujourd’hui !
(You’re awesome, you did a great job today!) - Hourra, on a gagné le match !
(Yay, we won the match!) - Quel bonheur, il fait beau aujourd’hui !
(What a joy, it’s sunny today!)
Conclusion
Learning how to express excitement in a new language can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we’ve explored several ways to say “yay” in French, each with its own unique flavor. Whether you’re celebrating a personal achievement, responding to a friend’s good news, or simply sharing in a moment of joy, French offers a variety of ways to join in the excitement.
By practicing the phrases we’ve covered, you can bring more enthusiasm and authenticity to your French conversations. Remember, it’s not just about the words you use, but also about the joy you share when communicating with others. So next time something exciting happens, try one of these phrases and see how it enhances your experience of celebrating in French!
