RTFM

English

"RTFM" used on a demotivational poster

Alternative forms

• rtfm

Phrase

RTFM

1. (Internet slang) Initialism of read the fucking manual.
2. (Internet slang, Unix) Initialism of read the fucking man page.

Usage notes

• RTFM is used to express frustration at someone who asks questions to which the answers can be easily sought from another source, or in the saying "if at first you don't succeed, RTFM!".
• Also bowdlerized as read the fine manual, read the full manual, read the friendly manual, or read the flamin' (or flaming, flipping, freaking, etc.) manual.

Derived terms

• RTFA

Translations

Abbreviation of Read the fucking manual

• Dutch: ^{(please verify)} LVDH (Lees verdomme de handleiding)
• Esperanto: ^{(please verify)} LLFL (Legu la fuŝitan lernolibron)
• French: LLFM (lis le foutu manuel)
• German: ^{(please verify)} LDVH (Lies das verdammte Handbuch)
• Italian: ^{(please verify)} LIFM (leggi il fottuto manuale)
• Japanese: ^{(please verify)} マニュアル読め (マニュアルよめ) (manyuaru yome)
• Portuguese: LAPDM (leia a porra do manual)
• Russian: ^{(please verify)} прочита́й до́лбаное руково́дство (pročitáj dólbanoje rukovódstvo), учи́ матча́сть (ru) (učí matčástʹ)
• Serbo-Croatian: ^{(please verify)} PJR (Procitaj jebeni recnik)

See also

• STFW

French

Etymology

Back-formation from English RTFM.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛʁ.te.ɛ.fɛm/, /ɛʁ.te.e.fɛm/

• Audio

  (file)

Phrase

RTFM

1. Initialism of regarde ton foutu manuel. (look at your fucking manual)