What does “naze” mean in French?

“Naze” is one of the most-used slang adjectives in casual French: it means lame, rubbish, useless, or no good. “C’est naze” dismisses a film, a plan, or a gadget in two syllables. It can also mean broken (“ma télé est naze”) or, of a person, worn out and exhausted. Versatile and informal, it’s the kind of throwaway word that makes spoken French sound natural rather than textbook.

Examples: “Cette soirée était naze” (that party was lame), “mon téléphone est naze” (my phone’s dead/busted). It’s been common since the 1980s. Its exact origin is debated — proposals range from German “nass” via military slang to Romani roots — so treat any single etymology with caution. What’s certain is how broad its reach is: a bad idea, a broken object, or a flat-out tired person can all be “naze.”