qqn

qqn is a French-language abbreviation used in informal writing to mean quelqu’un (someone). It is commonly found in text messages, forums, and social media where brevity and casual tone are valued. As a substitute for an unspecified person, qqn serves the same function as the English “someone” in everyday online communication.

Origins and forms: The shorthand stems from the tendency in online French to clip or compress words. The standard form is qqn, consisting of two q’s followed by n, intended to capture the consonants of quelqu’un while dropping vowels. Variants such as qqun or qq’un appear in some communities, but they are less common and not part of standard orthography. Usage varies by platform and group, reflecting norms of online slang rather than formal French.

Usage and tone: Because it is informal, qqn is typically used in casual messages, comments, and memes, not in scholarly, professional, or formal writing. It can help avoid naming someone or referring to a person indirectly. Example: Est-ce que qqn peut m’aider ? or J’ai besoin de qqn pour m’aider. Readers unfamiliar with texting slang may find it unclear, so the term is mostly understood within French-speaking online communities.

See also: Quelqu’un, French texting slang.