Sports are an essential part of life, connecting people across cultures and languages. If you’re a sports enthusiast or just want to discuss your favorite activities with French-speaking friends, this comprehensive guide will help you master the vocabulary for sports, equipment, and venues.
Here’s a list of the most popular sports in French, complete with their gender to help you use them correctly in sentences.
| No. | French | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | le football | soccer | Masculine |
| 2 | le cricket | cricket | Masculine |
| 3 | le basketball | basketball | Masculine |
| 4 | le tennis | tennis | Masculine |
| 5 | le volleyball | volleyball | Masculine |
| 6 | le rugby | rugby | Masculine |
| 7 | le golf | golf | Masculine |
| 8 | la natation | swimming | Feminine |
| 9 | le baseball | baseball | Masculine |
| 10 | le ping-pong | table tennis | Masculine |
| 11 | le badminton | badminton | Masculine |
| 12 | l’athlétisme | athletics | Masculine |
| 13 | la boxe | boxing | Feminine |
| 14 | le hockey | hockey | Masculine |
| 15 | la gymnastique | gymnastics | Feminine |
| 16 | la course à pied | running | Feminine |
| 17 | le ski | skiing | Masculine |
| 18 | le handball | handball | Masculine |
| 19 | le marathon | marathon | Masculine |
| 20 | le surf | surfing | Masculine |
| 21 | le judo | judo | Masculine |
| 22 | le karaté | karate | Masculine |
| 23 | le snowboarding | snowboarding | Masculine |
| 24 | l’équitation | horse riding | Feminine |
| 25 | le cyclisme | cycling | Masculine |
| 26 | le skateboarding | skateboarding | Masculine |
| 27 | le triathlon | triathlon | Masculine |
| 28 | le tir à l’arc | archery | Masculine |
| 29 | le jogging | jogging | Masculine |
| 30 | le patinage | skating | Masculine |
| 31 | la plongée | diving | Feminine |
| 32 | le water-polo | water polo | Masculine |
| 33 | le ski nautique | water skiing | Masculine |
| 34 | le squash | squash | Masculine |
| 35 | le parkour | parkour | Masculine |
| 36 | la danse | dance | Feminine |
| 37 | le tir | shooting | Masculine |
| 38 | la lutte | wrestling | Feminine |
| 39 | le canoë-kayak | canoeing/kayaking | Masculine |
| 40 | l’aviron | rowing | Masculine |
| 41 | la voile | sailing | Feminine |
| 42 | l’escalade | climbing | Feminine |
| 43 | le football américain | American football | Masculine |
| 44 | l’escrime | fencing | Feminine |
| 45 | le motocross | motocross | Masculine |
| 46 | le parachutisme | skydiving | Masculine |
| 47 | l’haltérophilie | weightlifting | Feminine |
| 48 | le frisbee | frisbee | Masculine |
| 49 | le curling | curling | Masculine |
| 50 | le bobsleigh | bobsleigh | Masculine |
Sports Equipment
Understanding the right terms for sports equipment is essential whether you’re playing or discussing a game. Here’s a handy list:
| No. | French | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | la balle | ball (small, e.g., tennis) | Feminine |
| 2 | le ballon | ball (large, e.g., soccer) | Masculine |
| 3 | la raquette | racket | Feminine |
| 4 | le filet | net | Masculine |
| 5 | le casque | helmet | Masculine |
| 6 | les chaussures de sport | sports shoes | Feminine |
| 7 | le maillot | jersey | Masculine |
| 8 | les gants | gloves | Masculine |
| 9 | le bâton | stick/bat | Masculine |
| 10 | les lunettes de natation | swimming goggles | Feminine |
| 11 | le chronomètre | stopwatch | Masculine |
| 12 | le sifflet | whistle | Masculine |
| 13 | la planche | board (e.g., surf, skate) | Feminine |
| 14 | les skis | skis | Masculine |
| 15 | les patins | skates | Masculine |
| 16 | l’arc | bow (archery) | Masculine |
| 17 | la flèche | arrow | Feminine |
| 18 | la corde | rope | Feminine |
| 19 | le sabre | saber (fencing) | Masculine |
| 20 | la pagaie | paddle | Feminine |
Places for Sports
Knowing where to play or watch sports is just as important. Here’s a list of common venues:
| No. | French | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | le stade | stadium | Masculine |
| 2 | le terrain | field | Masculine |
| 3 | la piscine | swimming pool | Feminine |
| 4 | le gymnase | gymnasium | Masculine |
| 5 | la salle de sport | sports hall | Feminine |
| 6 | la patinoire | skating rink | Feminine |
| 7 | le court de tennis | tennis court | Masculine |
| 8 | le vélodrome | velodrome | Masculine |
| 9 | le circuit | race track | Masculine |
| 10 | la piste de ski | ski slope | Feminine |
| 11 | la plage | beach | Feminine |
| 12 | le dojo | dojo (martial arts studio) | Masculine |
| 13 | le terrain de golf | golf course | Masculine |
| 14 | le centre équestre | riding center | Masculine |
| 15 | le mur d’escalade | climbing wall | Masculine |
| 16 | la salle de boxe | boxing gym | Feminine |
| 17 | le parc | park | Masculine |
| 18 | le terrain de handball | handball court | Masculine |
| 19 | le centre sportif | sports center | Masculine |
| 20 | le lac | lake (for rowing, kayaking, etc.) | Masculine |
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