French Phrase
Ouais, c'était marrant.
Meaning
A relaxed way to agree that something was funny or amusing. The speaker is confirming that they found the situation entertaining.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversations with friends, classmates, or peers when reacting to a joke, a funny video, or any light‑hearted event. Avoid in formal or professional settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ouaisc'étaitmarrant
Ouais (informal yes)
A casual way to say “yes” or “yeah”, used mainly in spoken French and among friends.
c'était (imperfect of être)
Contraction of “cela était”, the imperfect tense of “être” used to describe a past state or situation.
marrant (colloquial ‘funny’)
A slang adjective meaning ‘funny, amusing’; more informal than “drôle”.
🗨In Conversation
Ouais, c'était marrant.
Yeah, it was funny.
Oui, j'ai bien ri.
Yes, I laughed a lot.
✕Common Mistakes
Ouais, c'est marrant.
Use “c'était” for past events; “c'est” refers to the present.
Ouais, c'était marrante.
The adjective must agree with the implied subject (neutral), so “marrant” is correct here.
Oui, c'était marrant.
While grammatically correct, using “Oui” changes the informal tone of the sentence.
↔Alternatives
Oui, c'était drôle.
Yes, it was funny.
C'était amusant.
It was amusing.
C'était rigolo.
It was funny/quirky.
Cultural Tip
“Ouais” is typical youth slang; in a more polite or professional context replace it with “Oui”. Likewise, “marrant” is informal; the neutral adjective “drôle” works everywhere, while “rigolo” adds a playful tone. Regional variations exist—southern France may favor “c’est marrant” even in past contexts.