rythme
/ʁitm/
The English word rhythm is translated into French as rythme.
rythme refers to the tempo or speed of a beat, song or repeated event.
Meaning: tempo or speed of a beat, song, or repeated event (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the word beat is sometimes used as a colloquial equivalent to 'rhythm'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁitm/
Did you know?
- The French word rythme shares a common ancestor with the Greek word ῥυθμός, which originally referred to a 'flowing' or 'easy' movement.
- French speakers use the phrase perdre le rythme not just for music, but as a common metaphor for losing one's momentum or focus in a professional task.
- While rythme is the standard term, French musicians often use the English word 'groove' to describe a specific, feel-based kind of rhythm that rythme cannot fully capture.
Examples in context
- Le rythme, c'est important.The rhythm is important.This sentence shows how to state that rhythm is important using rythme.Tatoeba #5615380 by nimfeo, translation #12843537 by rul
- Il n'a pas le sens du rythme.He's got no sense of rhythm.This sentence uses rythme to describe someone's sense of rhythm.Tatoeba #3350001 by Blabla, translation #11053772 by sundown
- Je dois trouver mon propre rythme.I need to find my own rhythm.This sentence shows how to express the need to find one's own rhythm with rythme.Tatoeba #8976873 by Aiji, translation #5092238 by AlanF_US
- La danse contemporaine repose sur un rythme complexe.Contemporary dance is based on a complex rhythm.
- Sa voix a une cadence mélodieuse.His/her voice has a melodic rhythm.
- Il a un super flow dans ses chansons.He has a great rhythm in his songs.
- Cette chanson a un groove irrésistible.This song has an irresistible rhythm.
- Cette musique a un rythme endiablé qui donne envie de danser.This music has a fiery rhythm that makes you want to dance.
- Le djembe est le cœur du rythme africain.The djembe is the heart of African rhythm.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are practicing a new dance together in a studio.
- LucasTu aimes le rythme de cette chanson ?Do you like the rhythm of this song?
- LéaOui, mais le rythme est un peu rapide.Yes, but the rhythm is a bit fast.
- LucasJe peux ralentir le rythme pour toi.I can slow down the rhythm for you.
- LéaMerci, c'est plus facile pour moi comme ça.Thanks, it is easier for me like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rythme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rythme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
