galop
/ɡa.lo/masculine
The English word 'gallop' translates to French as galop when referring to the fastest gait of a horse.
galop is a masculine noun used to describe the fastest movement or gait of a horse.
Meaning: fastest gait of a horse (noun)
Which one should you use?
In French, the noun describing the gait is spelled galop, whereas the related verb meaning 'to ride at a galloping pace' is spelled galoper. This differs from English where the noun and verb share the same spelling.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While galop is the noun, the third-person singular present tense of the verb galoper is galope.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ɡa.lo/.
Did you know?
- In French, the term galop can also refer to a specific, high-speed dance style that became a massive craze in 19th-century ballrooms.
- In French, the expression galoper is used colloquially to describe not just running, but also driving a vehicle at high speeds.
- The French phrase galop d'essai refers specifically to the initial trial run a horse takes to demonstrate its speed.
Examples in context
- Le cheval galope à toute vitesse dans le champ.The horse gallops at full speed in the field.
- Le cheval fonce à travers la campagne, son galop puissant résonne dans l'air.The horse gallops through the countryside, its powerful gallop resonating in the air.
- Le cow-boy part au grand galop, soulevant un nuage de poussière derrière lui.The cowboy gallops away, kicking up a cloud of dust behind him.
- Le cheval a un galop puissant.The horse has a powerful gallop.
- J'aime entendre le galop de son cheval.I love hearing the gallop of her horse.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are watching horses in a field.
- GabrielRegarde, le cheval part au galop !Look, the horse is starting to gallop!
- ManonIl court vraiment très vite.He is running really fast.
- GabrielLe galop est impressionnant, n'est-ce pas ?The gallop is impressive, isn't it?
- ManonOui, c'est magnifique, Gabriel.Yes, it is magnificent, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gallop” translations and entries galop, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
