Paris Olympics 2024 – Essential French Vocabulary and Phrases

With the Paris Olympic in full cheer, the world’s sporting elite are busy gearing up for a spectacle of athleticism and national pride. But what about you? Are you ready to dive headfirst into the heart of the action? Don’t worry if your French sounds more like French fries than the real deal. This guide is your golden ticket to unlocking the language of the Games.

So, whether you’re a seasoned Francophile or a complete beginner, let’s get started on your journey to becoming a bonafide Olympic bilingual.

Crack the Code of Olympic French with Essential Olympic Terms

1. Les Jeux Olympiques (The Olympic Games)

English: The Olympic Games

Context: This is the overarching term for the entire Olympic event.

Example: “Les Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 seront inoubliables”. (The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be unforgettable.)

2. Les médailles (The medals)

English: The medals

Context: These are the awards given to the top three finishers in each Olympic event.

Example: “Elle a remporté la médaille d’or en natation”. (She won the gold medal in swimming.)

3. Le podium (The podium)

English: The podium

Context: This is the raised platform where medalists stand for the award ceremony.

Example: “Monter sur le podium est le rêve de tout athlète”. (Getting on the podium is every athlete’s dream.)

4. Le village olympique (The Olympic Village)

English: The Olympic Village

Context: This is the housing and communal area for athletes during the Games.

Example: “Le village olympique est un endroit où les athlètes peuvent se détendre et socialiser”. (The Olympic Village is a place where athletes can relax and socialize.)

5. La cérémonie d’ouverture (The opening ceremony)

English: The opening ceremony

Context: This is the official start of the Olympic Games, featuring parades, performances, and the lighting of the Olympic flame.

Example: “La cérémonie d’ouverture est toujours un spectacle magnifique”. (The opening ceremony is always a magnificent spectacle.)

6. La cérémonie de clôture (The closing ceremony)

English: The closing ceremony

Context: This is the final event of the Olympic Games, marking the end of the competition.

Example: “La cérémonie de clôture est un moment émouvant pour les athlètes”. (The closing ceremony is a touching moment for the athletes.)

7. Le drapeau olympique (The Olympic flag)

English: The Olympic flag

Context: This is the flag of the Olympic movement, featuring five interlocking rings.

Example: “Le drapeau olympique est un symbole de paix et d’unité”. (The Olympic flag is a symbol of peace and unity.)

8. La flamme olympique (The Olympic flame)

English: The Olympic torch relay

Context: This is the journey of the Olympic flame from its origin to the Olympic stadium.

Example: “La flamme olympique est arrivée à Paris après un long voyage à travers la France”. (The Olympic flame arrived in Paris after a long journey through France.)

9. Les athlètes (The athletes)

English: The athletes

Context: These are the people who compete in the Olympic Games.

Example: “Les athlètes s’entraînent dur pour atteindre leurs objectifs”. (Athletes train hard to achieve their goals.)

10. Le record du monde (The world record)

English: The world record

Context: This is the best performance ever achieved in a specific sport or event.

Example: “Elle a battu le record du monde de saut en hauteur”. (She broke the world record in high jump.)

Core Competitions of Paris 2024

• Athletics: L’athlétisme

Includes track and field events such as running, jumping, and throwing.

• Swimming: La natation

Covers various swimming styles like freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke.

• Cycling: Le cyclisme

Encompasses road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX.

• Gymnastics: La gymnastique

Includes artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline.

• Diving: Le plongeon

Covers various diving styles from springboard and platform.

• Fencing: L’escrime

Features sword fighting disciplines like foil, épée, and sabre.

• Basketball: Le basket-ball

Both 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball are included.

• Volleyball: Le volley-ball

Includes indoor and beach volleyball.

• Water Polo: Le water-polo

A team water sport involving swimming, passing, and shooting a ball into a goal.

• Judo: Le judo

A Japanese martial art and Olympic sport.

• Taekwondo: Le taekwondo

A Korean martial art and Olympic sport.

• Tennis: Le tennis

A racket sport played between two or four players.

• Badminton: Le badminton

A racket sport played using shuttlecocks.

• Table Tennis: Le tennis de table

A racket sport played on a table with a small net.

General Vocabulary (and a bit more…)

• Basic Greetings

• Bonjour (Good morning/day)
• Bonsoir (Good evening)
• Salut (Hi, informal)
• Au revoir (Goodbye)
• Merci (Thank you)
• S’il vous plaît (Please)
• De rien (You’re welcome)
• Excusez-moi (Excuse me)

• Polite Questions

• Parlez-vous anglais? (Do you speak English?)
• Pouvez-vous m’aider? (Can you help me?)
• Où sont les toilettes? (Where are the restrooms?)
• Combien ça coûte? (How much does it cost?)

• Asking for Directions

• Tout droit (Straight ahead)
• À gauche (To the left)
• À droite (To the right)
• Comment puis-je aller à…? (How can I get to…?)
• C’est loin? (Is it far?)
• Merci pour votre aide. (Thank you for your help.)

• Sports-Related Phrases:

• Quel est votre sport préféré? (What is your favorite sport?)
• J’adore regarder… (I love watching…)
• C’était un match incroyable! (It was an incredible game!)

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

• French people value politeness and respect. Always greet people with a smile and use formal language when addressing strangers.
• Personal space is important. Avoid touching people unless you know them well.
• Be prepared for a slower pace of life. The French often prioritize quality of life over efficiency.
• Food is a central part of French culture. Enjoying meals with friends and family is a cherished tradition.
• Learn a few basic French words and phrases. Even a little effort will go a long way in showing respect for the local culture.
• Be open-minded and respectful of different customs.

Common Phrases and Expressions

• Allons aux Jeux! – Let’s go to the Games!

Example: Les Jeux Olympiques auront lieu à Paris l’année prochaine. Allons-y ensemble! (The Olympic Games will be in Paris next year. Let’s go together!)

• Qui a gagné la médaille d’or? – Who won the gold medal?

Example: As-tu vu la finale de natation? Qui a gagné la médaille d’or? (Did you watch the swimming final? Who won the gold medal?)

• Quel exploit incroyable! – What an incredible feat!

Example: Le saut en hauteur de ce sportif était incroyable! Quel exploit incroyable! (This athlete’s high jump was amazing! What an incredible feat!)

• J’ai hâte de voir la cérémonie d’ouverture. – I can’t wait to see the opening ceremony.

Example: La cérémonie d’ouverture promet d’être spectaculaire. J’ai hâte de la voir. (The opening ceremony promises to be spectacular. I can’t wait to see it.)

• L’équipe de France est en pleine forme. – The French team is in great shape.

Example: Les résultats des qualifications sont très encourageants. L’équipe de France est en pleine forme. (The results of the qualifiers are very encouraging. The French team is in great shape.)

• Quel niveau de compétition! – What a level of competition!

Example: Les athlètes sont incroyables cette année! Quel niveau de compétition! (The athletes are incredible this year! What a level of competition!)

• Je suis déçu(e) par la performance de… – I’m disappointed by the performance of…

Example: Je suis déçu par la performance de l’équipe de basket. Ils n’ont pas joué à leur niveau. (I’m disappointed by the basketball team’s performance. They didn’t play at their level.)

• Le record du monde a été battu! – The world record has been broken!

Example: Incroyable! Le record du monde du 100 mètres a été battu! (Incredible! The world record for the 100 meters has been broken!)

• Je parie que… va gagner. – I bet that… will win.

Example: Je parie que le Français va gagner la médaille d’argent en judo. (I bet the French will win the silver medal in judo.)

• C’était une compétition très serrée. – It was a very close competition.

Example: La finale de tennis était incroyable! C’était une compétition très serrée. (The tennis final was amazing! It was a very close competition.)

Olympic Trivia that Will Blow Your Mind!

• Paris is hosting the Olympics for the third time. The city previously held the Games in 1900 and 1924.
• Paris 2024 aims to be the most sustainable Olympics ever. The organizers are focusing on reducing the event’s carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly initiatives. From renewable energy sources to plant-based menus, the organizers are taking big steps to reduce their environmental impact. One of the most common initiatives doing rounds on Instagram accounts of a lot of Olympic athletes is the fact that their beds in the Olympic Village are made out of cardboard! Can you imagine that?

Conclusion

French, as an official Olympic language, offers a unique lens through which to experience the Games. By understanding the language, you can immerse yourself deeper in the rich history and culture of the Olympic movement. Whether you’re cheering from the stands in Paris or watching from your living room, practicing your French vocabulary will undoubtedly enhance your enjoyment of the Olympics.

To help you on your linguistic journey, you can consider exploring language learning resources like La Forêt French Class.With its innovative approach, La Forêt can guide you towards fluency, enabling you to fully appreciate the Olympic spirit and feel a sense of belonging and connect with athletes and fans from around the world.

Allez les Jeux!

Did You Know?

• Paris 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the city hosting the Olympic Games.
• For the first time ever, the Olympic Opening Ceremony wasn’t held in a stadium. Instead, it was a spectacular boat parade on the Seine River, showcasing Paris’ iconic landmarks.
• Paris 2024 will feature an equal number of male and female athletes competing in the same number of sports and events, a historic milestone for gender equality in the Olympics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there any new sports being introduced in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

Ans: Breakdancing, skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing will make their Olympic debut at Paris 2024. 

Q: What is the 2024 Olympic Village like?

Ans: This year’s Olympic Village is located in Saint-Denis, Paris. Did you know that Saint-Denis is the second most populated suburb of Paris (after Boulogne-Billancourt)!

Q: What is the slogan of the French Olympics?

Ans: The slogan for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is “Games Wide Open” or “Ouvrons Grand les Jeux” in French. This slogan reflects the organizers’ ambition to make the Games more inclusive, accessible, and inspiring for everyone.