{"id":116987,"date":"2014-06-19T22:36:37","date_gmt":"2014-06-20T02:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-vocabulary-word-list-football-soccer-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2025-02-24T23:22:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T04:22:04","slug":"french-vocabulary-word-list-football-soccer-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-vocabulary-word-list-football-soccer-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Common French Soccer Vocabulary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sports can be a great way to start a conversation with the locals and put your French language skills to the test.\u00a0However, the sheer amount of vocabulary can make this a daunting task:\u00a0Sports talk can be chock full of idioms<\/a>, slang<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0informal expressions<\/a>\u00a0and it doesn\u2019t help that the announcers usually talk at the speed of sound.<\/p>\n

This guide will help you learn the basic vocabulary of France\u2019s most popular sport: soccer (or football to you British).\u00a0We\u2019ve also thrown in a few more advanced expressions at the end if you\u2019re ready to take your knowledge to the next level.\u00a0Learn these words, and you can be a part of the conversation.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/b>General Soccer Vocabulary\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>Arbitre assistant<\/em> \u2014<\/b>\u00a0Assistant referee<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sometimes, this person\u2019s job is also referred to as a \u2018linesman\u2019 or juge de lignes<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>in French.<\/p>\n

Si l\u2019arbitre assistant<\/strong> veut signaler une sortie de ballon ou hors-jeu, il l\u00e8vera son drapeau.<\/i>
\n(If the assistant referee wants to signal the ball going out of play or an offside, he will raise his flag)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Attaquant<\/em> \u2014 Forward; attacker<\/b><\/h3>\n

L\u2019<\/i>\u00e9<\/i>quipe d\u2019Espagne est tr\u00e8s connue pour ses attaquants<\/strong> agressifs.\u00a0<\/i>
\n(The Spanish national team is very well known for its aggressive forwards.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>L\u2019avant-centre<\/em> \u2014<\/b>\u00a0Center-forward<\/h3>\n

Also known as a striker, because their principal role is to score goals.<\/p>\n

Un avant-centre<\/strong> qui ne marque pas de buts, c’est comme un boulanger qui ne boulange plus!<\/i>
\n<\/i>(A striker who doesn\u2019t score any goals is like a baker that doesn\u2019t bake any bread!)<\/p>\n

But \u00e9galisateur<\/em> \u2014 Equalizer<\/b><\/h3>\n

A goal that ties the score.<\/p>\n

Il a marqu\u00e9, \u00e0 la derni\u00e8re minute, le but \u00e9galis<\/strong><\/i>at<\/i><\/strong>eur<\/strong> vital contre le R\u00e9al Madrid.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(He scored the vital goal that tied up the match against Real Madrid\u00a0in\u00a0the last minute.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

Banc de touche<\/em> \u2014 Sideline bench<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tous les joueurs sur le banc de touche<\/strong> \u00e9taient pris par l\u2019\u00e9motion suite au but \u00e9galisateur.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(All of the players on the sideline bench were overtaken with emotion after the goal that tied the game.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carton rouge<\/em> \u2014 Red card<\/b><\/h3>\n

Given for serious fouls.<\/p>\n

Il s\u2019est pris plusieurs cartons rouges<\/strong> et a \u00e9t\u00e9 suspendu pour la saison.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(He got several red cards and was suspended for the season.)<\/p>\n

Carton jaune<\/em> \u2014 Yellow card<\/b><\/h3>\n

Yellow card given as a first warning.<\/p>\n

Le joueur a \u00e9t\u00e9 sanctionn\u00e9 d\u2019un carton jaune<\/strong> pour un tacle rat<\/i>\u00e9<\/i>.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The player was sanctioned with a yellow card for his botched tackle.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>Centrer le ballon<\/i><\/em> \u2014 To center the ball<\/b><\/h3>\n

L\u2019<\/i>a<\/i>ilier gauche a centr\u00e9 le ballon<\/strong> mais l\u2019avant-centre a rat\u00e9 l\u2019occasion !<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The right-winger\u00a0centered the ball, but the striker missed the opportunity to score.)<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

Classico<\/em><\/h3>\n

Derby between Real Madrid\u00a0and\u00a0FC Barcelona\/also used in France to describe any important match up.<\/p>\n

Ce week-end, c\u2019est le classico<\/strong>: Paris SG – Olympique de Marseille!<\/i>
\n(This weekend is the classico: Paris SG – Olympique de Marseille!)<\/p>\n

Corner<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Corner kick<\/h3>\n

Also known as coup de pied de coin, <\/em>though this is archaic.<\/p>\n

Il a \u00e9galis\u00e9 le match \u00e0 la 36e minute lorsqu\u2019il a redirig\u00e9 de la t\u00eate un c<\/strong><\/i>orner<\/strong>.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(He tied up the match at the 36th minute when he redirected a corner kick with a header.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coup d\u2019envoi<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Kick-off<\/h3>\n

Le coup d’envoi<\/strong> de la finale sera donn\u00e9 le dimanche 13 juillet \u00e0 21h.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The kick-off for the final game will take place Sunday July 13th at 9pm.)<\/p>\n

D\u00e9fenseur<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Defender<\/h3>\n

Les d\u00e9fenseurs<\/strong> ont perdu l\u2019espoir apr\u00e8s le cinqui\u00e8me but!<\/i>
\n(The defenders lost all hope after the fifth goal!)<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i>D\u00e9gager<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>To clear (the ball from the defensive zone)<\/h3>\n

D\u00e9gage, d\u00e9gage!<\/strong> Mais d\u00e9gage<\/strong>! Ils vont marquer l\u00e0!<\/i>
\n(Get it out of there, get it out of there! Come on clear it! They are going to score!)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Faute<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Foul<\/h3>\n

Le joueur s’est pris un carton jaune pour une faute<\/strong> commise sur le d\u00e9fenseur.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The player\u00a0was given\u00a0a yellow card for a foul on the defender.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Frappe de la t\u00eate<\/b><\/em> \/Une t\u00eate<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>To hit the ball with the head; a header<\/h3>\n

Il prend la rel\u00e8ve et marque le seul but de la rencontre d’une t\u00eate<\/strong> \u00e9bouriffante.<\/i>
\n(He took up the slack and scored the only goal of the game with a breathtaking header.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>Gagner<\/em> \/ remporter un match<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>To win a game<\/h3>\n

La France a remport\u00e9<\/strong> le troisi\u00e8me match<\/strong> de suite ce soir avec sa victoire contre l\u2019Irlande.\u00a0<\/i>
\n(<\/i>France won the third match in a row this evening with its victory over Ireland.)<\/i><\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

Gardien de but<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Goalkeeper<\/h3>\n

Le gardien de<\/strong><\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/strong>but<\/strong> l<\/i>yon<\/i>nais<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>a encaiss\u00e9 plus de 50 buts cette saison!<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The Lyon goalkeeper has let pass more than 50 goals this season!)<\/p>\n

Gradins<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Stands<\/h3>\n

Les spectateurs hurlaient dans les gradins<\/strong> apr\u00e8s le carton jaune donn\u00e9 par l\u2019arbitre.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The spectators were yelling in the stands after the\u00a0yellow\u00a0card given by the referee.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>Hors-jeu<\/em> \u2014<\/b> Offsides<\/h3>\n

Son but n\u2019a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 valid\u00e9 par l\u2019arbitre parce qu\u2019il \u00e9tait en position de hors-jeu.<\/strong><\/i>
\n<\/i>(His goal was not counted by the referee because he was offsides.)<\/p>\n

Ligne de touche<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Sideline or touchline<\/h3>\n

L\u2019arbitre assistant se d\u00e9place au bord du terrain, le long de la ligne de touche.<\/strong><\/i>
\n<\/i>(The assistant referee runs up and down the side of the field along the sideline.<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

Marquer un but<\/em> \u2014<\/b> To score a goal<\/h3>\n

Ils ont marqu\u00e9 un but<\/strong> \u00e0 la 89e minute pour \u00e9galiser le match.<\/i>
\n(They scored a goal\u00a0in\u00a0the 89th minute to tie up the match.)<\/p>\n

Match \u00e0 l\u2019ext\u00e9rieur<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Away game<\/h3>\n

A home game is known as a\u00a0match \u00e0 domicile<\/i>.<\/p>\n

L\u2019<\/i>\u00e9<\/i>quipe n’a remport\u00e9 aucun match \u00e0 l’ext\u00e9rieur<\/strong> cette ann\u00e9e!<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The team hasn\u2019t won any away games this year!)<\/p>\n

Match<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Football match, soccer game<\/h3>\n

Je me demande qui va gagner le match<\/strong> ce soir!?<\/i>
\n<\/i>(I wonder who is going to win the match this evening!?)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Match nul<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Draw, tie<\/h3>\n

Apr\u00e8s un match nul<\/strong> sans but face \u00e0 la Gr\u00e8ce, la France a gagn\u00e9 son match hier soir (2-0) face \u00e0 l\u2019Italie.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(After a\u00a0goalless\u00a0draw\u00a0against Greece, France won its game yesterday (2-0) against Italy.)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Mi-temps<\/em> \u2014<\/b> Half-time<\/h3>\n

Les deux \u00e9quipes se sont dirig\u00e9es vers les vestiaires<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>\u00e0 la<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>mi-temps.<\/i><\/strong>
\n<\/i>(The two teams headed towards the locker rooms at half-time.)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Occasion<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>A good opportunity<\/h3>\n

Quel<\/i>le<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>occasion<\/strong> \u00e0 rater ! Il a failli marquer un but !<\/i>
\n<\/i>(What a great opportunity to miss! He almost scored a goal!)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Passer<\/em> le ball<\/i>on<\/i> \u2014 <\/b>To pass the ball<\/h3>\n

Le joueur a fait passer le ball<\/strong><\/i>on<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0<\/i>par dessus son adversaire !<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The player passer the ball clear over the head of his\u00a0opponent!)<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

P\u00e9nalty<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>A free kick<\/h3>\n

Also called a coup de pied de r\u00e9paration, <\/em>though this is archaic.<\/p>\n

L\u2019attribution du p<\/strong><\/i>\u00e9<\/i><\/strong>nalty<\/strong> par l\u2019arbitre fait d\u00e9bat entre les commentateurs.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The referee\u2019s decision to gave a free kick was debated by the commentators.)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Les prolongations<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Overtime; extra-time<\/h3>\n

Be careful, this is different from temps additionne<\/i>l!<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Comme le score \u00e9tait de 1-1 \u00e0 la fin du temps r\u00e9glementaire, ils ont jou\u00e9 les prolongations.<\/strong><\/i>
\n\u00a0(As the score was 1-1 at the end of regulation time, they went into overtime.)<\/p>\n

Rempla\u00e7ant<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Replacement player; substitute\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Le rempla\u00e7ant<\/strong> a pris la place de son co\u00e9quipier apr\u00e8s sa blessure.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The sub took the place of his teammate after his injury.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spectateur<\/em> \/ trice<\/em>\u2014 <\/b>Spectator<\/h3>\n

Il n\u2019y a pas beaucoup de spectateurs<\/strong> dans les gradins aujourd\u2019hui.<\/i>
\n<\/i>(There are not many spectators in the stands today.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i>Tacler<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>To tackle<\/h3>\n

L<\/i>e d\u00e9fenseur a tacl\u00e9<\/strong> son adversaire pour arr\u00eater son progr<\/i>\u00e8s<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>sur le terrain.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The defender tackled his adversary in order to stop his advance down the field.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>Temps additionnel<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Additional time; injury time<\/h3>\n

L\u2019arbitre a accord\u00e9 6 minutes de temps additionnel<\/strong> au temps r\u00e9glementaire suite \u00e0 de nombreuses blessures pendant le match.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The referee added 6 extra minutes of additional time to the regulation time after numerous injuries during the game.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Terrain de football<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Pitch;\u00a0field.<\/h3>\n

Le match \u00e9tait annul\u00e9 suite aux orages hier soir parce que le terrain<\/strong> \u00e9tait trop humide.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The match was cancelled after the storms yesterday evening, because the field was too wet.)<\/p>\n

<\/i>Tirer<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>To try and score a goal; to shoot<\/h3>\n

Il a tir\u00e9<\/strong> un boulet de canon ver<\/i>s<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>le gardien de but.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(He sent the ball screeching towards the goalkeeper like a cannon ball.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/i>Tirs au but<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Penalty shoot-out<\/h3>\n

\u00c9<\/i>tant \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9galit\u00e9 \u00e0 la fin du match, les deux \u00e9quipes doivent passer par les tirs au but<\/strong> pour se d\u00e9partager.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(As the game is all tied up, the two teams must now proceed to a\u00a0penalty\u00a0shoot-out to decide the winner.)<\/p>\n

\"ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

Touche<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Throw-in<\/h3>\n

Le joueur a \u00e9t\u00e9 sanctionn\u00e9 d\u2019un carton parce qu\u2019il g\u00eanait son adversaire lorsqu\u2019il effectuait une touche<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/i>
\n<\/i>(The player received a card because he was obstructing his\u00a0opponent\u00a0as he\u00a0took\u00a0a throw-in.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Les vestiaires<\/em> \u2014 <\/b>Locker rooms; dressing rooms<\/h3>\n

Les joueurs \u00e9coutaient leur entra\u00eeneur dans les vestiaires.<\/strong><\/i>
\n<\/i>(The players were listening to their coach in the locker rooms.)<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p> \r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n