s'entraîner
The English phrase "practicing" can be translated into French as s'entraîner.
The term s'entraîner is used when referring to doing a physical activity or exercise to improve fitness or skill in a sport.
Which one should you use?
Use s'entraîner for physical training or sports. It is not typically used for practicing a musical instrument or a mental skill. In those cases, you should use travailler or pratiquer.
How does it change in a sentence?
s'entraîner is a reflexive verb.
Did you know?
- The verb s'entraîner shares a root with the word train, but in a more literal sense of 'dragging' or 'pulling' oneself toward a goal.
- While s'entraîner is for sports, French uses the word répéter when practicing a play or a musical piece, which literally means 'to repeat'.
- If you say you are pratiquant a sport, you might sound like you are a professional or an enthusiast rather than someone just exercising. To a French ear, pratiquer often implies a level of regular, formal engagement with a discipline.
Examples in context
- Tom continuait à s'entraîner.Tom kept practicing.This sentence is useful for showing how to use s'entraîner to indicate that someone continued their practice.Tatoeba #7482716 by Micsmithel, translation #2237090 by CK
- Je m'entraîne régulièrement au pianoI practice piano regularly
- Je me perfectionne en françaisI am practicing/improving my French
- J'exerce la médecine depuis dix ansI have been practicing medicine for ten years
- Je m'entraîne au basket avec mes amisI practice basketball with my friends
- Je bosse mon accent tous les joursI practice my accent every day
- Je me tape les gammes tous les soirsI practice scales every evening
- Je pratique régulièrement la natation pour rester en formeI practice swimming regularly to stay fit
- Nous pratiquons le piano ensemble chaque semaineWe practice piano together every week
- Il doit s'entraîner tous les jours.He has to practice every day.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are talking about their weekend plans.
- ChloéTu veux venir m'entraîner avec moi demain ?Do you want to come practice with me tomorrow?
- NathanOui, je veux améliorer mon endurance.Yes, I want to improve my endurance.
- ChloéOn peut s'entraîner ensemble au parc.We can practice together at the park.
- NathanC'est une excellente idée, Chloé !That is a great idea, Chloé!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
