monter à cheval
To ride a horse in French is monter à cheval.
The phrase monter à cheval is used to describe the action of sitting on the back of a horse and controlling its movement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb monter (to mount or go up), the preposition à (on or at) and cheval (horse).
Which one should you use?
While monter à cheval focuses on the physical act of mounting and riding, faire du cheval is often used to refer to the hobby or sport of horseback riding in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preposition à to indicate the mode of transport, which is a standard construction for riding animals in French. This is an intransitive verbal construction, meaning it does not take a direct object. For example, you do not say monter un cheval when using this specific idiom.
Did you know?
- The verb monter comes from the Latin word for 'mountain', meaning the literal logic is to 'ascend' the animal.
- In French, the distinction between à and en for transport is based on whether the rider sits on top of the vehicle or inside it, which is why a bike also uses à.
- While monter à cheval is the action, the official sport of horseback riding is called équitation, a word derived from the Latin word for 'knight' or 'horseman'.
Examples in context
- Je sais monter à cheval.I can ride a horse.This sentence is useful for expressing your ability to use monter à cheval.Tatoeba #127575 by sacredceltic, translation #259905 by CK
- Sais-tu monter à cheval ?Can you ride a horse?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to use monter à cheval.Tatoeba #2223183 by sacredceltic, translation #15859 by CK
- Savez-vous monter à cheval ?Do you know how to ride a horse?This sentence is useful for asking a group or a person formally if they know how to use monter à cheval.Tatoeba #1104430 by sacredceltic, translation #2219904 by Hybrid
- J'ai commencé à pratiquer l'équitation il y a deux ans.I started practicing horse riding two years ago.
- On devrait faire du cheval ensemble ce weekend.We should go horseback riding together this weekend.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are talking about their childhood hobbies.
- NathanEst-ce que tu aimais monter à cheval ?Did you like riding horses?
- ManonOui, j'adore monter à cheval avec mon père.Yes, I love riding horses with my father.
- NathanMoi, je n'ai jamais appris à monter à cheval.Me, I never learned how to ride a horse.
- ManonJe peux t'apprendre si tu veux, Nathan !I can teach you if you want, Nathan!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cheval, monter, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
