maître-nageur
/mɛ.tʁə.na.ʒœʁ/masculine
The English word lifeguard can be translated into French using maître-nageur. Wiktionary also lists sauveteur and nageur-sauveteur.
Meaning: lifesaver, expert swimmer rescuer (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maître-nageur | /mɛ.tʁə.na.ʒœʁ/ | masculine |
| sauveteur | /sov.tœʁ/ | masculine |
| nageur-sauveteur | masculine |
In French, the term used depends on whether you are emphasizing the person's role as a rescue specialist or their ability to teach and supervise swimming.
What does it mean word for word?
The term maître-nageur literally translates to master swimmer.
Which one should you use?
While all these terms refer to a lifeguard, maître-nageur often implies a professional who is qualified to teach swimming lessons. In contrast, sauveteur focuses strictly on the rescue aspect of the job.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛ.tʁə.na.ʒœʁ/. The word has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- French law treats maître-nageur sauveteur as a protected professional designation, making it illegal to use the title without a state-recognized diploma.
- In French culture, a maître-nageur often manages the entire technical operation of a public pool, acting as a facility manager as well as a lifeguard.
- The French language uses a specific word, sauvetage, to describe the general concept of 'salvage' in maritime contexts, which is the root of sauveteur.
Examples in context
- Je suis un sauveteur.I'm a lifeguard.The sentence is useful for stating your profession using sauveteur.Tatoeba #7699817 by sacredceltic, translation #2247892 by CK
- J'ai postulé comme sauveteur à la piscine municipale.I applied for a job as a lifeguard at the community pool.The sentence is useful for describing a job application using sauveteur.Tatoeba #479612 by sacredceltic, translation #246193 by CK
- J'ai vu le maître-nageur près de la piscine.I saw the lifeguard near the pool.
- L'été dernier, j'ai passé mes journées à la plage et j'ai rencontré un sauveteur très sympa.Last summer, I spent my days at the beach and met a very friendly lifeguard.
- Les surveillants de baignade veillent à la sécurité des nageurs.The swimming supervisors ensure the safety of the swimmers.
- Le maître-nageur surveille la plage.The lifeguard is watching the beach.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are at the beach discussing safety.
- LéaOù est le maître-nageur ?Where is the lifeguard?
- GabrielIl est près de la serviette bleue.He is near the blue towel.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il peut m'aider ?Can he help me?
- GabrielOui, il est très attentif.Yes, he is very attentive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lifeguard” translations and entries maître-nageur, sauveteur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
