This page organizes French vocabulary for various types of sports, helping you describe and discuss different athletic activities.
Team Sports
Common French terms for sports played in teams, along with their English translations.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le football | les footballeurs | soccer | soccer players | Le football est très populaire en France. | Soccer is very popular in France. |
| le basket-ball | les basketteurs | basketball | basketball players | Elle joue au basket-ball le week-end. | She plays basketball on weekends. |
| le volley-ball | les volleyeurs | volleyball | volleyball players | Le volley-ball se joue en équipe de six. | Volleyball is played in teams of six. |
| le rugby | les rugbymen | rugby | rugby players | Le rugby est un sport physique. | Rugby is a physical sport. |
| le handball | les handballeurs | handball | handball players | Le handball est populaire en Europe. | Handball is popular in Europe. |
| le hockey sur glace | les joueurs de hockey | ice hockey | ice hockey players | Le hockey sur glace se joue sur la glace. | Ice hockey is played on ice. |
Individual Sports
French vocabulary for sports typically played alone, along with example sentences.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la course | les coureurs | running | runners | La course à pied est bonne pour la santé. | Running is good for health. |
| la natation | les nageurs | swimming | swimmers | Elle pratique la natation depuis cinq ans. | She has been swimming for five years. |
| le tennis | les tennisman | tennis | tennis players | Le tennis se joue en simple ou en double. | Tennis is played singles or doubles. |
| le cyclisme | les cyclistes | cycling | cyclists | Le Tour de France est une course de cyclisme célèbre. | The Tour de France is a famous cycling race. |
| le ski | les skieurs | skiing | skiers | Le ski est un sport d’hiver populaire. | Skiing is a popular winter sport. |
| l’escalade | les grimpeurs | climbing | climbers | L’escalade demande beaucoup de force. | Climbing requires a lot of strength. |
Outdoor & Adventure Sports
French terms for sports usually done outdoors or involving adventure, with examples.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la randonnée | les randonneurs | hiking | hikers | La randonnée permet de découvrir la nature. | Hiking allows you to explore nature. |
| le surf | les surfeurs | surfing | surfers | Le surf est populaire sur les plages de Biarritz. | Surfing is popular on the beaches of Biarritz. |
| le kayak | les kayakistes | kayaking | kayakers | Le kayak se pratique sur les rivières et les lacs. | Kayaking is practiced on rivers and lakes. |
| le parapente | — | paragliding | — | Le parapente offre une vue spectaculaire. | Paragliding offers a spectacular view. |
| l’équitation | les cavaliers | horseback riding | riders | Elle fait de l’équitation tous les samedis. | She goes horseback riding every Saturday. |
Gym & Fitness
French vocabulary for sports and activities related to fitness and gym workouts.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la gymnastique | les gymnastes | gymnastics | gymnasts | La gymnastique améliore la souplesse. | Gymnastics improves flexibility. |
| la musculation | — | weight training | — | Il fait de la musculation trois fois par semaine. | He does weight training three times a week. |
| le yoga | — | yoga | — | Le yoga aide à réduire le stress. | Yoga helps reduce stress. |
| le Pilates | — | Pilates | — | Le Pilates renforce les muscles profonds. | Pilates strengthens the deep muscles. |
| le crossfit | — | CrossFit | — | Le CrossFit est un entraînement intensif. | CrossFit is an intensive workout. |
Winter Sports
French terms for sports commonly practiced in winter, along with example sentences.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le ski alpin | — | alpine skiing | — | Le ski alpin se fait sur des pistes préparées. | Alpine skiing is done on groomed slopes. |
| le ski de fond | — | cross-country skiing | — | Le ski de fond est un excellent exercice cardio. | Cross-country skiing is excellent cardio. |
| le snowboard | — | snowboarding | — | Le snowboard est populaire chez les jeunes. | Snowboarding is popular among young people. |
| le patinage artistique | — | figure skating | — | Le patinage artistique demande beaucoup de grâce. | Figure skating requires a lot of grace. |
| la luge | — | sledding | — | La luge est amusante pour les enfants. | Sledding is fun for children. |
Sledding is fun for children.
La luge est amusante pour les enfants.
'La luge' means sledding, which is a fun winter activity for kids.
Flashcards (1 of 27)
- English Singular: soccer
- English Plural: soccer players
- English Example: Soccer is very popular in France.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
