The words that
stay with you.

A joke from a friend can stick around long after a lesson fades.

Merdi started with our founder’s experience studying in London and travelling solo. In classrooms, hostel kitchens, and everyday conversations, friends from around the world made other languages feel closer.

There was a reason to learn a phrase: someone to say it to. A reason to remember a word: a story attached to it. And a reason to try again: another conversation waiting.

Why “Merdi”?

A French friend used to start saying merde, then soften it into mercredi. One means “shit.” The other means “Wednesday.” It was a playful way to almost swear, and a small moment that made the language memorable.

That story gave Merdi its name. It’s the kind of learning we keep coming back to: personal, a little funny, and attached to someone you remember.

A familiar place to practise.

We’re building a language-learning messenger with AI friends. Each friend will bring a personality and a reason to chat, with translations, explanations, and gentle corrections woven into the conversation.

The friends are AI characters. The inspiration comes from real friendships, and the feeling of getting to know someone through another language.

Still at the first hello.

Merdi is in development. Our first examples explore French, and the app preview currently supports account sign-in. We’re working towards the conversations, memory, and everyday check-ins at the heart of the idea.