cyclisme
/si.klism/
The French word for cycling is cyclisme.
The term cyclisme refers to the activity of riding bicycles, but it is specifically used to denote the sport of cycling. For more specific contexts, you might encounter le cyclotourisme, which is a formal term for bicycle tourism or touring by bike or the formal expression la pratique du vélo, which emphasizes the actual act of cycling.
Meaning: the activity of riding bicycles (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use le cyclisme when you are referring to cycling as a professional sport or a technical discipline. In contrast, if you want to describe the common, everyday activity of riding a bike, the verbal phrase faire du vélo is the most frequent choice.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun to refer to the sport, cyclisme is a masculine noun and is almost always preceded by the definite article le.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /si.klism/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- A person who cycles is called un cycliste, but this word is also used for motorcyclists in many contexts, which can cause confusion if the mode of transport is not specified.
- In France, the term cyclisme is inextricably linked to the Tour de France, which is so culturally dominant that the race is often referred to as 'la Grande Boucle' or 'the Big Loop'.
- The word cyclisme uses the suffix -isme, which in French is frequently used to turn a practice or a belief system into a formal discipline or ideology.
Examples in context
- Qu'est-ce que vous préférez le plus, le cyclisme ou la course à pied ?Which do you like better, cycling or jogging?This sentence is useful for comparing the preference between cyclisme and jogging.Tatoeba #445365 by gamma, translation #54169 by CK
- Le cyclisme est un sport populaire en FranceCycling is a popular sport in France
- Le cyclisme est devenu une passion nationale en FranceCycling has become a national passion in France
- La pratique du vélo favorise la santé et l'environnementCycling promotes health and the environment
- La découverte du pays en vélo est une expérience unique de cyclotourismeExploring the country by bike is a unique cycling tourism experience
- Je fais du vélo tous les week-endsI go cycling every weekend
- On se retrouve à la plage pour faire du véloLet's meet at the beach to go cycling
- J'adore pédaler le long de la rivièreI love pedaling along the river
- Le cyclisme est devenu très populaire cet été.Cycling has become very popular this summer.
- Il pratique le cyclisme tous les matins.He practices cycling every morning.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing their favorite hobbies.
- NathanEst-ce que tu aimes le cyclisme, Chloé ?Do you like cycling, Chloé?
- ChloéOui, j'adore faire du vélo le dimanche.Yes, I love riding my bike on Sundays.
- NathanMoi aussi, c'est un sport fantastique.Me too, it is a fantastic sport.
- ChloéOn pourrait sortir ensemble ce week-end !We could go out together this weekend!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cyclisme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cyclisme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
