A comprehensive overview of French vocabulary related to sports and recreation, covering common terms across various activities, equipment, and places.
Building a strong foundation in French sports and recreation vocabulary helps you talk about hobbies, join conversations, and understand schedules or instructions in French-speaking contexts. This guide covers the most common terms across different categories, from team sports to outdoor activities.
Team Sports
Team sports are a big part of French culture, especially football (soccer). Here’s some essential vocabulary to describe players, positions, and common actions.
| French Team Sports Noun | English Team Sports Noun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le foot (football) | soccer | J’aime jouer au foot avec mes amis. | I like playing soccer with my friends. |
| le joueur / la joueuse | player (m/f) | La joueuse a marqué un but. | The player scored a goal. |
| l’équipe (f) | team | Notre équipe a gagné le match. | Our team won the game. |
| le match | match/game | Le match commence à 20 heures. | The match starts at 8 PM. |
| le but | goal | Il a marqué un but incroyable ! | He scored an amazing goal! |
| l’arbitre (m) | referee | L’arbitre a sifflé une faute. | The referee blew the whistle for a foul. |
| le capitaine | captain | Le capitaine donne des instructions. | The captain gives instructions. |
| le banc | bench | Le joueur est sur le banc. | The player is on the bench. |
| la passe | pass | Fais une passe à ton coéquipier. | Pass the ball to your teammate. |
| le gardien de but | goalkeeper | Le gardien de but a fait un arrêt. | The goalkeeper made a save. |
L’arbitre a sifflé une faute.
Who in French officiates the game and can call fouls?
arbitre
The 'arbitre' is the referee who enforces rules. 'Capitaine' is captain, 'joueur' is player, and 'gardien' is goalkeeper.
Il a marqué un ___ incroyable !
What is the French word for 'goal' in a soccer match?
but
'But' is the French word for 'goal' in a sports context. 'Passe' means pass, 'match' is game, and 'ballon' is ball.
Individual Sports
These terms cover classic individual sports you might find at a gym or local club, including athletics, swimming, and cycling.
| French Individual Sports Noun | English Individual Sports Noun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| la natation | swimming | La natation est un sport complet. | Swimming is a full-body workout. |
| l’athlétisme (m) | athletics/track and field | Je fais de l’athlétisme le week-end. | I do athletics on weekends. |
| le cyclisme | cycling | Il pratique le cyclisme tous les jours. | He cycles every day. |
| le tennis | tennis | Nous jouons au tennis ce soir. | We are playing tennis tonight. |
| le jogging | jogging | Je fais du jogging le matin. | I go jogging in the morning. |
| la boxe | boxing | La boxe demande beaucoup d’endurance. | Boxing requires a lot of stamina. |
| le yoga | yoga | Le yoga aide à se détendre. | Yoga helps you relax. |
| le ski | skiing | Le ski est populaire en hiver. | Skiing is popular in winter. |
| l’escalade (f) | climbing | L’escalade est un sport d’aventure. | Climbing is an adventure sport. |
| le golf | golf | Il joue au golf le dimanche. | He plays golf on Sundays. |
Sports Equipment
Knowing the names of common sports equipment is useful whether you’re shopping, packing, or describing your gear.
| French Equipment Noun | English Equipment Noun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le ballon | ball | Le ballon est sur le terrain. | The ball is on the field. |
| la raquette | racket | J’ai une nouvelle raquette de tennis. | I have a new tennis racket. |
| les chaussures (f) | shoes | Elle porte des chaussures de sport. | She’s wearing sports shoes. |
| le casque | helmet | Le cycliste met toujours un casque. | The cyclist always wears a helmet. |
| les gants (m) | gloves | Le boxeur met ses gants. | The boxer puts on his gloves. |
| le maillot | jersey | Il porte le maillot de l’équipe. | He’s wearing the team jersey. |
| le short | shorts | Je préfère courir en short. | I prefer to run in shorts. |
| les lunettes (f) | goggles/glasses | Je porte des lunettes de natation. | I wear swimming goggles. |
| le tapis de yoga | yoga mat | J’ai acheté un tapis de yoga. | I bought a yoga mat. |
| la corde à sauter | skipping rope | La corde à sauter est efficace. | The skipping rope is effective. |
Recreational Activities
These are common leisure activities that people enjoy for fun and relaxation, perfect for casual conversations.
| French Recreation Noun | English Recreation Noun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| la randonnée | hiking | Nous faisons une randonnée en montagne. | We’re hiking in the mountains. |
| le pique-nique | picnic | On organise un pique-nique ce week-end. | We’re having a picnic this weekend. |
| la pêche | fishing | Mon grand-père aime la pêche. | My grandfather loves fishing. |
| le camping | camping | Le camping est très populaire en été. | Camping is very popular in summer. |
| le roller | rollerblading | Je fais du roller au parc. | I go rollerblading in the park. |
| le skate | skateboarding | Il fait du skate tous les après-midis. | He skateboards every afternoon. |
| la voile | sailing | La voile est un sport nautique. | Sailing is a water sport. |
| le jardinage | gardening | Le jardinage est une activité relaxante. | Gardening is a relaxing activity. |
| le bowling | bowling | On va au bowling ce soir. | We’re going bowling tonight. |
| le billard | billiards | Le billard est un jeu de salon. | Billiards is a parlor game. |
Places & Facilities
These vocabulary items will help you navigate sports venues, fitness centers, and outdoor recreation spots.
| French Place Noun | English Place Noun | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le stade | stadium | Le stade est plein de supporters. | The stadium is full of fans. |
| le gymnase | gymnasium | Je vais au gymnase après le travail. | I go to the gym after work. |
| la piscine | swimming pool | La piscine est chauffée. | The swimming pool is heated. |
| le terrain de sport | sports field | Le terrain de sport est fermé aujourd’hui. | The sports field is closed today. |
| le club de sport | sports club | Je suis membre d’un club de sport. | I’m a member of a sports club. |
| la salle de sport | fitness center | La salle de sport ouvre à 6 heures. | The fitness center opens at 6 AM. |
| le parc | park | On se retrouve au parc pour jouer. | Let’s meet at the park to play. |
| le court de tennis | tennis court | Le court de tennis est libre. | The tennis court is free. |
| les vestiaires (m) | locker room | Les vestiaires sont propres. | The locker rooms are clean. |
| la piste d’athlétisme | running track | Je cours sur la piste d’athlétisme. | I run on the running track. |
This comprehensive overview covers the most essential French vocabulary for sports and recreation. Whether you’re joining a game, hitting the gym, or just chatting about your favorite activities, these terms will help you express yourself with confidence.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Team Sports Noun: soccer
- English Example: I like playing soccer with my friends.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
