Outdoor sports are practiced outdoors, in nature, on the water or in the mountains. One can say to do sport, to practice a sport or name the activity directly: to do hiking, to do cycling, to do skiing. Some nouns stay stable, like surf or kayak, while others change depending on common usage. For example, one often says running for the sport and to run for the activity, as in I run in the park. In everyday exchanges, context helps to understand whether we are talking about leisure, competition or a get-together with friends. To compare these hobbies with other categories, you also find names of activities in Sports Collectifs and in Météo.

Hiking takes place on a trail or in the mountains, with a longer walk than a simple stroll. Trail running adds the natural terrain to the idea of running. MTB designates mountain biking, used on tracks, in the forest or on technical trails. Climbing consists of ascending a wall or a cliff with hands and feet. Kayaking is practiced on a river, a lake or at sea, with a light boat and a paddle. In a sentence, the sport’s name often follows to do: to do hiking, to do MTB, to do climbing, to do kayaking. To review the places and natural elements that accompany these activities, the vocabulary of Météo frequently appears in outing descriptions.

kayakboueescaladeVTTparoiviragesentiercourse en sentiercrêterandonnée

---

Une paroi est une surface rocheuse très verticaleLe kayak est une petite embarcation que l on pagaieLa randonnée est une marche longue en natureUn sentier est un petit chemin pour marcherLe VTT est un vélo fait pour les terrains difficilesLa boue est une terre humide et glissanteUne crête est une ligne élevée au sommet d une montagneUn virage est un tour brusque sur un cheminLa course en sentier est une course sur des chemins naturelsL’escalade est le fait de monter sur une paroi

Vocabulary of nature sports

Word	Definition
randonnée	The hike is a long walk in nature.
course en sentier	The trail running is a race on natural paths.
VTT	The MTB is a bike built for rough terrain.
escalade	The rock climbing is the act of climbing on a wall.
kayak	The kayaking is a small boat that one paddles.
sentier	A trail is a little path to walk.
paroi	A cliff is a very vertical rocky surface.
crête	A ridge is a high line at the summit of a mountain.
boue	The mud is a wet and slippery earth.
virage	A corner is a sharp bend on a path.

Scramble

Skiing is practiced on snow with skis, especially in the mountains. Snowboarding uses a single board, with a side-on stance. Surfing is done on a wave, most often in the ocean. Windsurfing combines a board and a sail, and depends a lot on the wind. We say to ski, to snowboard, to surf, to windsurf. These sports are also simply named by their activity: I ski, I surf. The vocabulary changes with equipment and environment, as snow, water and wind determine the sport practiced.

pisteglissevagueneigeskidescenteplanche à voilesnowboardsurfvent

---

Le snowboard est un sport de neige avec une seule plancheLa planche à voile est un sport de mer avec une voile fixée sur une plancheUne descente est une partie où l on va vers le basUne piste est un parcours préparé pour glisser ou descendreLa neige est une eau gelée qui tombe du cielLe ski est un sport qui se pratique sur la neige avec des planchesLe vent est un air qui bouge et pousse les voiles ou les planchesUne vague est un mouvement de l eau qui monte et tombeLa glisse est le mouvement doux sur une surfaceLe surf est un sport de vague avec une planche

Vocabulary of sliding sports

Word	Definition
ski	The skiing is a sport practiced on snow with boards.
snowboard	The snowboarding is a snow sport with a single board.
surf	The surfing is a wave sport with a board.
planche à voile	The windsurfing is a sea sport with a sail fixed to a board.
piste	A slope is a prepared track for slipping or descending.
vague	A wave is an up and down movement of water.
neige	The snow is a frozen water that falls from the sky.
descente	A downhill is a part where one goes downward.
glisse	The sliding is the gentle movement on a surface.
vent	The wind is an air that moves and pushes sails or boards.

Scramble

Cycling is used to get around or to train on road, in the city or on trails. Jogging designates a quiet, often regular run. Trail is a running race on natural paths, with climbs and descents. Fitness walking stays faster than ordinary walking, but without running. We say to ride a bike, to jog, to trail, to do fitness walking. In a outing comment, one may also use the verbs to roll, to run and to walk depending on the activity. These words serve to talk about continuous effort, a trip or outdoor training.

pédalermarche sportiveallurecourirsouffletraileffortendurancejoggingvélo

---

L’endurance est la capacité à tenir longtemps sans s arrêterCourir signifie se déplacer rapidement à piedLe vélo est un moyen de transport et un sport à deux rouesLe souffle est la respiration pendant l effortLe trail est une course sur des chemins naturels avec du reliefUn effort est une action qui demande de l énergiePédaler signifie faire avancer un vélo avec les jambesLa marche sportive est une marche rapide pour rester en formeLe jogging est une course lente pour faire de l exerciceL’allure est une vitesse de déplacement régulière

Vocabulary of outdoor endurance sports

Word	Definition
vélo	The vélo is a means of transport and a two-wheeled sport.
jogging	The jogging is a slow run to exercise.
trail	The trail is a race on natural paths with elevation.
marche sportive	The marche sportive is a fast walk to stay in shape.
pédaler	Pédaler means to move a bicycle with the legs.
courir	Courir means to move quickly on foot.
allure	L’allure is a steady speed of movement.
souffle	The souffle is the breathing during effort.
endurance	L’endurance is the ability to last a long time without stopping.
effort	An effort is an action that requires energy.

Scramble

Sailing uses the wind to move the boat forward. Paddleboarding is done standing on a board with a paddle. Canoeing moves with a paddle too, but the position and the vessel are different from kayaking. Rafting involves descending a river in a group in a large inflatable boat. Open-water swimming takes place in a lake, a river or the sea, without a pool. We say to sail, to paddle, to canoe, to raft, to swim in open water. The word choice often depends on the watercraft used and the level of movement of the current.

courantpaddlecanoëraftingvoilerivièrebaiepagaienage en eau libreflotteur

---

Une baie est une portion de mer entourée de terreUn flotteur est un objet qui reste sur l eauLa voile est un sport où le vent fait avancer le bateauUne pagaie est un outil pour faire avancer un kayak ou un canoëLa nage en eau libre est une natation pratiquée dans un milieu naturelLe courant est un mouvement de l eau dans une directionUne rivière est un cours d eau qui coule vers la mer ou un lacLe paddle est un sport où l on tient debout sur une plancheLe canoë est une petite embarcation que l on fait avancer à la pagaieLe rafting est un sport de descente sur une rivière agitée

Vocabulary of common water sports

Word	Definition
voile	The sailing is a sport where wind moves the boat.
paddle	The paddleboarding is a sport where one stands on a board.
canoë	The canoeing is a small boat that is propelled by paddling.
rafting	The rafting is a downhill sport on a rough river.
nage en eau libre	The open-water swimming is a swimming done in a natural environment.
pagaie	A paddle is a tool to move a kayak or a canoe.
rivière	A river is a watercourse that flows to the sea or a lake.
courant	The current is a movement of water in one direction.
baie	A bay is a portion of sea surrounded by land.
flotteur	A buoy is a float that stays on the water.

Scramble

Mountaineering refers to progression in high mountains, often with ice, snow and technical equipment. Via ferrata follows a protected rock wall with cables, ladders and handholds. Trekking corresponds to a long walk over several days or on a demanding route. Bivouacking describes the night spent outdoors, under a lightweight tent or under the stars, during a mountain outing. We speak of to do mountaineering, to do via ferrata, to do trekking, to do a bivouac. In this vocabulary, terrain difficulty and outing duration count as much as the activity itself.

penteharnaisalpinismesommetpitonvia ferratatrekkingcorderefugebivouac

---

Le trekking est une grande marche sur plusieurs joursUne corde est un long lien utilisé pour assurer ou grimperLe bivouac est un campement simple pour dormir dehorsL’alpinisme est un sport de montagne qui consiste à gravir des sommetsLa via ferrata est un parcours équipé sur la rocheUn sommet est le point le plus haut d une montagneUn refuge est un abri de montagne pour se reposer ou dormirUn harnais est un équipement que l on porte pour rester attachéUn piton est un petit élément fixé dans la roche pour l assurageUne pente est une surface inclinée qui monte ou descend

Vocabulary of mountain sports

Word	Definition
alpinisme	L’alpinisme is a mountain sport involving climbing summits.
via ferrata	The via ferrata is a bolted route on rock.
trekking	The trekking is a long hike over several days.
bivouac	The bivouac is a simple camp to sleep outdoors.
sommet	A sommet is the highest point of a mountain.
corde	A corde is a long line used to secure or climb.
piton	A piton is a small piece fixed in rock for protection.
harnais	A harnais is equipment you wear to stay attached.
pente	A pente is an inclined surface that rises or descends.
refuge	A refuge is a mountain shelter to rest or sleep.

Scramble

The path is a narrow way to walk, run or cycle. The track is often used for skiing, MTB or running. The beach belongs to the shore and hosts walking, surfing or paddleboarding. The river is suitable for kayaking, canoeing or rafting. The forest provides a common backdrop for hiking, trail and MTB. The cliff denotes a high, steep rocky wall, related to climbing or via ferrata. In a route description, one can say on a trail, on the track, on the beach, in the forest, at the edge of the river, at the foot of the cliff.

rivièreplainepisteforêtplagelacrochersentierfalaisecolline

---

Un lac est une grande étendue d eau entourée de terreUne plaine est une grande zone plateUne plage est un bord de mer avec du sable ou des galetsUne forêt est un grand espace couvert d arbresUne falaise est un mur de roche très haut et très raideUn rocher est un gros bloc de pierre dans la natureUn sentier est un petit chemin pour marcher dans la natureUne colline est une petite montagne aux pentes doucesUne piste est un chemin préparé pour le sport ou le passageUne rivière est un cours d eau naturel qui traverse un paysage

Vocabulary of terrain and landscapes

Word	Definition
sentier	A sentier is a small path to walk in nature.
piste	A piste is a prepared path for sport or passage.
plage	A plage is a shoreline with sand or pebbles.
rivière	A rivière is a natural watercourse that traverses a landscape.
forêt	A forêt is a large area covered with trees.
falaise	A falaise is a very tall and steep rock wall.
lac	A lac is a large expanse of water surrounded by land.
colline	A colline is a small mountain with gentle slopes.
plaine	A plaine is a large flat area.
rocher	A rocher is a large block of rock in nature.

Scramble

Sports shoes protect the feet and provide grip on the ground. The helmet protects the head in MTB, climbing, skiing or cycling. The backpack is used to carry water, food and personal belongings. The rope is indispensable in climbing and in the mountains. The paddle is used to move in a kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Depending on the activity, one also adds goggles, gloves, a waterproof jacket or a life jacket. To talk about a complete set, we often say to have your equipment or to take your gear. The suitable clothing is also found in Clothing and Accessories.

casquegantssac à doslampepagaiegourdegenouillèreschaussurescordeboussole

---

La gourde est une bouteille réutilisable pour boireLes chaussures sont des objets pour protéger et soutenir les piedsLe sac à dos est un sac que l on porte sur le dosLes genouillères sont des protections pour les genouxLe casque est un objet qui protège la têteUne lampe est un objet qui éclaire dans l obscuritéLa pagaie est un outil pour avancer sur l eauLes gants sont des protections pour les mainsLa corde est un outil souple pour attacher ou assurerLa boussole est un outil qui indique une direction

Vocabulary of essential equipment

Word	Definition
chaussures	The shoes are items to protect and support the feet.
casque	The helmet is a thing that protects the head.
sac à dos	The backpack is a bag that one wears on the back.
corde	The rope is a flexible tool for tying or securing.
pagaie	The paddle is a tool to move on the water.
gourde	The water bottle is a reusable bottle for drinking.
boussole	The compass is an instrument that shows direction.
lampe	A flashlight is an object that lights up in the dark.
gants	The gloves are protections for the hands.
genouillères	The knee pads are protections for the knees.

Scramble

Verbs describe movement and effort. To climb means to ascend a wall, a slope or a tree. To paddle means to move with a paddle. To run is used for jogging, trail running and trail. To pedal describes the movement of the bike. To descend can refer to a slope, a mountain or a downward journey. We also encounter to advance, to swim, to glide and to carry depending on the activity. In a sentence, the verb follows the subject: I climb, you paddle, we pedal. The choice of verb depends on the precise gesture, not only on the sport.

portervisergrimpernagercourirpédalerpagayerglissersauterdescendre

---

Courir signifie se déplacer vite à piedPagayer signifie avancer avec une pagaieGlisser signifie se déplacer doucement sur une surface lissePédaler signifie faire tourner les pédales d un véloDescendre signifie aller vers le basNager signifie se déplacer dans l eauViser signifie choisir une direction ou un objectifPorter signifie avoir quelque chose avec soi ou sur soiGrimper signifie monter avec effortSauter signifie quitter le sol d un coup

Vocabulary of outdoor actions

Word	Definition
grimper	Grimper means to climb with effort.
pagayer	Pagayer means to move forward with a paddle.
courir	Courir means to move quickly on foot.
pédaler	Pédaler means to turn the pedals of a bike.
descendre	Descendre means to go down.
nager	Nager means to move in water.
porter	Porter means to have something with you or on you.
sauter	Sauter means to leave the ground in one jump.
glisser	Glisser means to move smoothly on a smooth surface.
viser	Viser means to choose a direction or goal.

Scramble

The wind influences sailing, surfing and windsurfing. Rain makes a trail slippery and sometimes limits the outing. Snow completely changes the practice of skiing and snowboarding. Currents matter a lot in rivers for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Elevation gain indicates the difference in altitude between the start and the finish, especially in hiking, trail and mountains. We also talk about favorable weather, dry terrain, calm water or a difficult passage. These words help describe conditions before departure and during the activity.

neigecourantchaleurfroidoragesoleilventpluiebrouillarddénivelé

---

La pluie est de l eau qui tombe du cielLe brouillard est un nuage très bas qui réduit la visibilitéLa chaleur est une température élevéeLe vent est un mouvement de l airLa neige est une eau gelée qui tombe en floconsUn orage est un épisode de vent et de pluie avec des éclairsLe soleil est la lumière et la chaleur du cielLe dénivelé est une différence de hauteur sur un parcoursLe froid est une température basseLe courant est un mouvement de l eau

Vocabulary of weather and conditions

Word	Definition
vent	The vent is a movement of air.
pluie	The pluie is water that falls from the sky.
neige	The neige is frozen water that falls in flakes.
courant	The courant is a movement of water.
dénivelé	The dénivelé is a difference in height on a course.
brouillard	The brouillard is a low cloud that reduces visibility.
chaleur	The chaleur is a high temperature.
froid	The froid is a low temperature.
soleil	The soleil is the light and heat of the sky.
orage	An orage is a wind and rain storm with lightning.

Scramble

To talk about an activity, we say to go on a outing, to go hiking, to plan a session or to organize a race. To be prudent is used when the terrain, wind or current require attention. To prepare oneself means checking the gear, the weather and the route. To be careful is used before a slope, a wet rock or a fast descent. To need introduces the gear or the necessary condition: to need a helmet, to need suitable shoes. In safety instructions, one also hears to follow the trail, not to approach the cliff and to stay on the track. These expressions help organize a outing and to avoid danger.

Useful expressions for talking about an outing

Usage	Explanation
Suggesting an activity	We use this expression to invite someone to practice together.
Giving a recommendation	We use this form to recommend a useful or prudent action.
Talking about a sports habit	We use this construction to say that an activity is regular.
Expressing caution	We use this expression to show that one must remain attentive.
Talking about preparation	We use this expression to indicate that one is ready for the effort.
Saying a preference	We use this form to say what one likes more.
Asking permission	We use this question to find out whether the action is permitted.
Talking about safety	We use this expression to remind someone of a protective measure.
Encouraging	We use this sentence to motivate someone during the effort.
Ending an outing	We use this expression to announce the end of the activity.

Some words change according to French-speaking countries. To ride a mountain bike can be said to ride a MTB in many contexts, but the full expression often appears in more formal explanations. For the mountains, hiking remains very common, while trekking is more used for a long sporty or tourist walk. In France, windsurfing is the usual term, whereas other regions sometimes use vocabulary more related to equipment. The word canoe can appear in some usages, especially in a regional or traditional context, beside canoe. Habits also change in expressions around sport, especially when comparing practices of Sports Collectifs and leisure related to wind, water or snow.

faire du patin à roulettesexcursionchaussures de sportfaire de la voileespadrillestuquetrekcasquesentier pédestrerancho

---

Ce mot est courant pour parler d une protection pour la têteCe mot est fréquent pour parler d une sortie organisée dans la natureCette expression est courante pour parler de chaussures pour l activité physiqueDans ce contexte, ce mot désigne une bonnette chaude pour le froidCette expression désigne un chemin prévu pour la marcheCette expression est utilisée pour parler de glisse sur roulettesCe mot désigne souvent des chaussures légères pour marcher ou faire du sportDans certains usages régionaux, ce mot peut désigner une sortie simple en plein airCette expression est la forme courante pour pratiquer le sport de la voileCe mot court sert à parler d une grande marche en montagne

Francophone vocabulary variations

Region	Variant	Definition	Example
France	chaussures de sport	This expression is common for talking about shoes for physical activity.	En France, on dit souvent chaussures de sport pour aller marcher.In France, people often say sports shoes for going walking.
Canada	espadrilles	This word often refers to light shoes for walking or playing sports.	Au Canada, j ai mis mes espadrilles pour la balade.In Canada, I put on my sneakers for the walk.
Belgium	rancho	In some regional usage, this word can refer to a simple outdoor outing.	En Belgique, on parle parfois d un rancho entre amis.In Belgium, people sometimes talk about a rancho among friends.
Switzerland	excursion	This word is frequent for talking about an organized outing in nature.	En Suisse, l excursion au lac commence tôt.In Switzerland, the excursion to the lake starts early.
France	faire de la voile	This expression is the common form for practicing the sport of sailing.	En France, elle aime faire de la voile le week end.In France, she likes to sail on weekends.
Canada	faire du patin à roulettes	This expression is used to talk about gliding on wheels.	Au Canada, les enfants font du patin à roulettes dans la rue calme.In Canada, the children roller-skate in the quiet street.
Belgium	trek	This short word is used to talk about a long mountain hike.	En Belgique, le trek dure trois jours.In Belgium, the trek lasts three days.
Switzerland	sentier pédestre	This expression refers to a path intended for walking.	En Suisse, le sentier pédestre est très bien balisé.In Switzerland, the walking trail is very well marked.
France	casque	This word is common for talking about head protection.	En France, le casque est obligatoire à vélo.In France, a helmet is mandatory when cycling.
Canada	tuque	In this context, this word refers to a warm hat for cold weather.	Au Canada, la tuque est utile sur la piste froide.In Canada, a toque is useful on the cold trail.

Scramble