salto périlleux arrière
A backflip in French is salto périlleux arrière.
The phrase refers to the act of rotating one's body. To express the action of performing this movement, you typically use the verb faire with the phrase, as in faire un salto périlleux arrière (to do a backflip).
Meaning: an act of rotating one's body (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of salto (a flip/somersault), périlleux (perilous/dangerous) and arrière (back).
Which one should you use?
The formal way to say backflip in French is saut périlleux arrière. Additionally, in formal gymnastics contexts, the term salto arrière is used for a backflip.
Did you know?
- The word salto is actually an Italian loanword that acts as a doublet to the native French word saut, meaning the same thing.
- While English uses the neutral term 'backflip', the common French term salto périlleux explicitly describes the move as 'perilous'.
- In casual conversation, French speakers often drop the word périlleux and simply say un salto to refer to a flip.
Examples in context
- Je peux faire un saut périlleux arrièreI can do a backflip
- J'ai réussi mon salto arrière!I successfully performed my backward somersault!
- Il a réussi son salto périlleux arrière.He succeeded in his backflip.
- Le salto périlleux arrière est impressionnant.The backflip is impressive.
- Elle pratique le salto périlleux arrière tous les jours.She practices the backflip every day.
Example conversation
Two friends are at a trampoline park.
- NathanManon, regarde-moi faire un salto périlleux arrière !Manon, watch me do a backflip!
- ManonFais attention, Nathan, c'est dangereux.Be careful, Nathan, it's dangerous.
- NathanNe t'inquiète pas, je maîtrise le salto périlleux arrière.Don't worry, I've mastered the backflip.
- ManonC'était vraiment impressionnant !That was really impressive!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arrière, périlleux, salto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
