handball
/ɑ̃d.bal/masculine
Handball in French is handball.
The word handball is a masculine noun used to refer to the team sport.
Meaning: team sport (noun)
Which one should you use?
The standard term is handball, while the shortened form le hand is used informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying you play handball, use the contraction au (à + le) before the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃d.bal/
Did you know?
- In French sports commentary, the term handball refers to the game, but a 'handball' foul in football is called une main, literally 'a hand'.
- The word handball was borrowed from German, combining the German words Hand for 'hand' and Ball for 'ball'.
- France is one of the most successful nations in the sport, and the phrase le hand is frequently heard in the context of the Bleues, the highly popular women's national team.
Examples in context
- Tom va jouer au handball cet après-midi.Tom is going to play handball this afternoon.This sentence shows how to use handball when talking about playing the sport.Tatoeba #6577967 by GB3, translation #6527391 by CK
- Le handball est un sport très populaire au Danemark.Handball is a very popular sport in Denmark.This sentence uses handball as the subject of a sentence.Tatoeba #11401877 by lbdx, translation #2373026 by Piteris
- Un groupe de jeunes hommes jouent au handball sur le terrain de jeu.A group of young men are playing handball in the playground.This sentence demonstrates the use of handball when describing people playing the sport on a court.Tatoeba #128863 by Aiji, translation #272017 by CK
- Le handball est un sport très populaire en France.Handball is a very popular sport in France.
- On va jouer au handball ce soir!We're playing handball tonight!
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are talking about sports at the local club.
- GabrielTu veux jouer au handball avec nous ?Do you want to play handball with us?
- ChloéOui, j'adore le handball !Yes, I love handball!
- GabrielC'est super, on commence bientôt.That's great, we are starting soon.
- ChloéParfait, je prépare mon sac.Perfect, I'm getting my bag ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handball” translations and entries handball, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries handball, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
