Sports vocabulary. A comprehensive list of French action words used in various sports, with English translations and example sentences to build dynamic sports-related vocabulary.
Understanding action verbs used in sports is essential for describing gameplay, giving instructions, or talking about physical activities. French sports action vocabulary covers a wide range of movements across team sports, individual competitions, and recreational activities. This comprehensive list helps students confidently describe sports scenes and participate in conversations about athletics.
Common Sports Actions
These foundational action verbs appear across many sports and describe basic movements essential to gameplay.
| French Verb | English Verb | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| courir | to run | Je peux courir très vite. | I can run very fast. |
| sauter | to jump | Il sait sauter haut. | He can jump high. |
| lancer | to throw | Elle va lancer le ballon. | She is going to throw the ball. |
| attraper | to catch | Je peux attraper la balle. | I can catch the ball. |
| frapper | to hit | Il frappe fort. | He hits hard. |
| glisser | to slide | Elle glisse sur la glace. | She slides on the ice. |
| taper | to tap / to hit | Je tape dans le ballon. | I tap the ball. |
| tourner | to turn | Tourne à gauche ! | Turn left! |
| pousser | to push | Ne pousse pas ! | Don’t push! |
| lever | to raise / to lift | Il lève les bras. | He raises his arms. |
Ball Sports Actions
These verbs focus on actions commonly performed with a ball in sports like soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball.
| French Verb | English Verb | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| dribbler | to dribble | Il dribble avec le ballon. | He dribbles with the ball. |
| passer | to pass | Passe-moi le ballon ! | Pass me the ball! |
| marquer | to score | Elle a marqué un but. | She scored a goal. |
| servir | to serve | Il sert au tennis. | He serves in tennis. |
| retourner | to return | Elle retourne la balle. | She returns the ball. |
| tirer | to shoot / to kick | Tire au but ! | Shoot at the goal! |
| dévier | to deflect | Le gardien dévie la balle. | The goalie deflects the ball. |
| claquer | to smack / to spike | Il claque le ballon. | He smacks the ball. |
| contrôler | to control | Contrôle le ballon. | Control the ball. |
| relancer | to throw / kick again | Il relance le ballon. | He throws/kicks the ball again. |
What does the French verb 'servir' mean in ball sports?
to serve
'Servir' means 'to serve,' especially in sports like tennis and volleyball.
Gym & Fitness Actions
These verbs describe common exercises and movements found in gym workouts, stretching routines, and fitness classes.
| French Verb | English Verb | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| s’échauffer | to warm up | Nous nous échauffons avant. | We warm up beforehand. |
| s’étirer | to stretch | Il s’étire les jambes. | He stretches his legs. |
| soulever | to lift | Elle soulève des poids. | She lifts weights. |
| plier | to bend | Plie les genoux. | Bend your knees. |
| tendre | to extend | Tends les bras. | Extend your arms. |
| pousser | to push | Pousse la charge. | Push the weight. |
| tirer | to pull | Tire la barre vers toi. | Pull the bar toward you. |
| sauter | to jump | Saute sur la boîte. | Jump on the box. |
| respirer | to breathe | Respire profondément. | Breathe deeply. |
| contracter | to contract / tighten | Contracte les abdos. | Tighten your abs. |
Water Sports Actions
These verbs are used in swimming, surfing, and other water-based activities to describe movement through the water.
| French Verb | English Verb | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| nager | to swim | Je nage tous les jours. | I swim every day. |
| plonger | to dive | Il plonge dans la piscine. | He dives into the pool. |
| pagayer | to paddle | Elle pagaye en kayak. | She paddles in the kayak. |
| glisser | to glide | Le surfeur glisse sur la vague. | The surfer glides on the wave. |
| flotter | to float | Je peux flotter sur l’eau. | I can float on the water. |
| replonger | to dive again | Il replonge immédiatement. | He dives again immediately. |
| remonter | to come up (to surface) | Remonte à la surface ! | Come up to the surface! |
| battre | to kick / flutter (feet) | Bats des jambes rapidement. | Kick your legs quickly. |
| ramer | to row | Ils rament sur le lac. | They row on the lake. |
| sautiller | to hop | Je sautille sur le pont. | I hop on the deck. |
Winter Sports Actions
These verbs are specific to skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and other cold-weather sports.
| French Verb | English Verb | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| skier | to ski | Elle aime skier en montagne. | She likes skiing in the mountains. |
| glisser | to slide / glide | Je glisse sur la neige. | I glide on the snow. |
| dévaler | to speed down | Il dévale la piste. | He speeds down the slope. |
| carver | to carve (turn sharply) | Les pros carvent dans la neige. | The pros carve in the snow. |
| faire du patin | to skate | Je fais du patin sur la glace. | I skate on the ice. |
| taper | to tap / strike | Taper sur la glace aide l’équilibre. | Tapping on the ice helps balance. |
| chausser | to put on (skis/skates) | Je chausse mes skis. | I put on my skis. |
| dégager | to clear | Dégage le chemin ! | Clear the way! |
| basculer | to lean / tip | Bascule en avant. | Lean forward. |
| tourner | to turn | Tourne les skis à droite. | Turn the skis right. |
These sports action verbs provide a solid foundation for describing, understanding, and participating in a wide range of physical activities in French.
Elle aime ___ en montagne.
What is the French verb for 'to ski'?
skier
'Skier' means 'to ski.' The sentence 'Elle aime skier en montagne' means 'She likes skiing in the mountains.'
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Verb: to run
- English Example: I can run very fast.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
