frapper le ballon
To kick the ball in French is frapper le ballon.
The phrase frapper le ballon is the standard way to express striking a ball with the foot, particularly in the context of sports like soccer. You can also use the phrase donner un coup de pied dans le ballon to describe the physical act of giving a kick to the ball.
Which one should you use?
While frapper le ballon translates literally to 'to strike the ball', it is the standard expression for 'to kick' in a sporting context. In contrast, donner un coup de pied is more literal and focuses on the physical motion of a kick.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal phrase botter le ballon is commonly used to mean 'to boot the ball'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase donner un coup de pied dans la balle, note that the feminine article la is used because the noun balle is feminine.
Did you know?
- The word frapper actually descends from a Germanic root meaning 'to snatch' or 'to scuffle', rather than a Latin root for hitting.
- In French, the word balle is used for a small ball or a bullet, while ballon is reserved for larger inflated balls.
- The verb botter in the Quebec phrase botter le ballon is a direct linguistic influence from English and is not used in this way in standard European French.
Examples in context
- Il faut frapper le ballon très fort.You have to kick the ball very hard.
- Elle va frapper le ballon pour marquer un but.She is going to kick the ball to score a goal.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are practicing soccer in the park.
- GabrielLéa, regarde comment frapper le ballon.Léa, look at how to kick the ball.
- LéaJe préfère frapper le ballon moi-même.I prefer to kick the ball myself.
- GabrielD'accord, essaye de viser le but.Okay, try to aim for the goal.
- LéaRegarde, j'ai marqué un point !Look, I scored a point!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ballon, frapper, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
