crampons
/kʁɑ̃.pɔ̃/masculine, plural
The English phrase "cleats" can be translated into French as crampons. Wiktionary also lists chaussures à crampons.
Meaning: pair of shoes equipped with cleats (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| crampons | /kʁɑ̃.pɔ̃/ | masculine, plural |
| chaussures à crampons | feminine, plural |
crampons is used to refer to cleats. You can also use the phrase chaussures à crampons when you want to be more precise by specifying that you are talking about the cleated shoes themselves rather than just the studs.
Which one should you use?
While crampons refers to the cleats, the phrase chaussures à crampons is a more precise way to specify "cleated shoes" rather than just the studs.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɑ̃.pɔ̃/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In a figurative sense, un crampon can be a derogatory term for a 'clinger' or someone who is overly dependent on another person.
- The word crampon shares a linguistic root with the English word 'cramp', as both refer to something that grips or bends tightly.
- While crampons refers to sports cleats, the same word is used in mountaineering to describe the metal spikes strapped to boots for climbing ice and glaciers.
Examples in context
- L'équipe de football a besoin de nouvelles chaussures à crampons.The soccer team needs new cleats.
- J'ai acheté des chaussures à pointes pour la course à pied.I bought track spikes for running.
- Les joueurs de football portent des chaussures de foot à clous.Soccer players wear soccer cleats.
- As-tu essayé les nouveaux crampons de la marque française?Have you tried the new cleats from the French brand?
- Quel terme utilise-t-on pour les crampons dans ta région?What term do you use for cleats in your region?
- Il a oublié ses crampons dans le vestiaire.He forgot his cleats in the locker room.
- Ces nouveaux crampons sont très confortables.These new cleats are very comfortable.
- Est-ce que tu as besoin de crampons neufs ?Do you need new cleats?
Example conversation
Two friends are preparing for a football match at the park.
- ManonLucas, est-ce que tu as tes crampons ?Lucas, do you have your cleats?
- LucasOui, j'ai mis mes crampons dans mon sac.Yes, I put my cleats in my bag.
- ManonParfait, on va pouvoir jouer sur l'herbe.Perfect, we will be able to play on the grass.
- LucasC'est vrai, tes chaussures normales glisseraient.That's true, your normal shoes would slip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cleats” translations and entries crampons, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
