bof

See also: BOF, bôf, and bøf

Dutch

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /bɔf/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: bof
  • Rhymes: -ɔf

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch boffe (“strike, blow; cheek”).

Noun

bof m (plural boffen, diminutive bofje n)

  1. (uncountable) mumps (contagious disease)
  2. (countable) luck, fortune

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

bof

  1. inflection of boffen:
    1. first-person singular present indicative
    2. imperative

French
FWOTD – 8 November 2014

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /bɔf/
  • Audio(file)

Interjection

bof

  1. so what, never mind, whatever, meh
    Cette fille est mignonne, hein ? — Bof !
    That girl's cute, eh? — Meh, she's OK.

Usage notes

"Bof" is a multi-use word, akin to “meh” in English. It is commonly used before the French phrase "je ne sais pas", meaning "I don't know". For example:

  • Qu'est-ce que tu veux boire ? (What do you want to drink?)
  • Bof... Je ne sais pas. (Hmpf... I don’t know.)

References
  • "Équipe 1"-1999 Oxford University Press
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