branchée

Branchée is the feminine form of the French adjective branché, meaning fashionable, trendy, or plugged in. It is used to describe people, places, or things that are in vogue or aligned with current cultural or social trends. The term is informal and common in spoken French, as well as in journalism and advertising aimed at urban audiences.

Etymology: brancher means to connect or plug in, and branché carries the sense of being connected to the latest happenings or networks. The feminine form branchée agrees with feminine nouns, for example une soirée branchée or une boutique branchée. The masculine form branché is used with masculine nouns.

Usage: with people, elle est très branchée can imply that someone is fashionable or well connected. with places, un quartier branché or un restaurant branché describes trendy spots. The term generally carries a positive or neutral tone, but in some contexts it can imply a selective or exclusive crowd or a mild irony if overused.

Register and regional usage: branchée is most common in France and other Francophone regions, especially in urban settings. It tends to be more informal than phrases like à la mode or tendance, but is widely understood among speakers of different ages.

Alternatives and notes: synonyms include à la mode, tendance, chic, and à la page. Branchée can be applied to people or things and is often combined with intensifiers such as très or super. As with many slang terms, its reception can vary by context and audience.