ischio-jambier
/is.kjo.ʒɑ̃.bje/
The English word hamstring is translated into French as ischio-jambier.
Meaning: to disable (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound consisting of the Greek prefix ischio- (relating to the ischium or hip) and jambier (relating to the leg).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to the hamstring muscles in the plural, add an s to the end of the word to get ischio-jambiers. When referring to the muscle group in a general sense, the masculine plural form les ischio-jambiers is most common.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /is.kjo.ʒɑ̃.bje/. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- While the English word 'hamstring' comes from the physical act of cutting a tendon, the French ischio-jambier is a purely clinical term. It completely avoids any reference to the 'ham' or the 'string' found in the English etymology.
- Because the phrase is a technical compound, French speakers in casual settings often shorten it to simply les ischios.
- While English uses the word 'hamstring' to describe both the muscle and the act of disabling someone, the French term ischio-jambier is strictly anatomical and cannot be used as a verb.
Examples in context
- Les muscles ischio-jambiers sont le biceps fémoral, le muscle semi-tendineux et le muscle semi-membraneux.The hamstring muscles include the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus.This sentence is useful for identifying the specific muscles that make up the ischio-jambiers.Tatoeba #433837 by Clavain, translation #433835 by Clavain
- J'ai mal à l'ischio-jambier après ma séance d'entraînement intense.I have pain in my hamstring after my intense workout.
- Le joueur de football s'est blessé au muscle derrière la cuisse pendant le match.The football player injured his hamstring during the match.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking after a sports practice.
- LucasPourquoi tu t'arrêtes de courir, Lucas ?Why are you stopping your run, Lucas?
- ManonJe crois que je viens de m'ischio-jambier.I think I just hamstringed myself.
- LucasC'est grave ? Tu peux encore marcher ?Is it serious? Can you still walk?
- ManonOui, mais je dois m'arrêter maintenant.Yes, but I have to stop now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ischio-jambier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
