marelle
/ma.ʁɛl/feminine
Hopscotch in French is marelle.
The noun marelle refers to the child's game known as hopscotch. Because it is a feminine noun, it is preceded by the definite article la.
Meaning: child's game (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb jouer (to play) to talk about playing this game, you must follow it with the preposition à. The full phrase for "to play hopscotch" is jouer à la marelle.
How do you pronounce it?
marelle is pronounced /ma.ʁɛl/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In France, the game marelle is often associated with a folk belief that the final square, called le ciel (the sky), is a gateway to heaven.
- The word marelle is the feminine form of marel, which refers to a type of bird known as a blackbird in old French.
- In French literature, la marelle is sometimes used as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life or a lack of stability.
Examples in context
- Ils jouent à la marelle.They're playing hopscotch.This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase used with the verb jouer.Tatoeba #8700728 by Julien_PDC, translation #8960989 by AlanF_US
- Il joue à la marelle avec sa sœur.He's playing hopscotch with his sister.This sentence shows how to describe someone playing hopscotch with a relative.Tatoeba #8700731 by Julien_PDC, translation #8960990 by AlanF_US
- Des enfants jouaient à la marelle dans la cour de l'école.Children were playing hopscotch in the schoolyard.This sentence illustrates a past tense usage of the phrase in a school setting.Tatoeba #12694107 by lbdx, translation #11770715 by CK
- Les enfants jouent à la marelle dans la cour de récréation.The children are playing hopscotch in the playground.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two children are playing in a park on a sunny afternoon.
- EmmaTu veux jouer à la marelle avec moi ?Do you want to play hopscotch with me?
- GabrielOui, j'adore la marelle !Yes, I love hopscotch!
- EmmaSuper, je vais chercher une craie pour toi.Great, I will look for a piece of chalk for you.
- GabrielMerci Emma, tu es très gentille.Thanks Emma, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hopscotch” translations and entries marelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
