coureur
/ku.ʁœʁ/masculine
The French word for runner is coureur.
The term refers to somebody who runs or moves at a fast pace.
Meaning: somebody who runs, who moves at a fast pace (noun)
Which one should you use?
The masculine form coureur is used when referring to a male runner or to a group of runners that includes both males and females.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female runner, use the feminine form coureuse. For a plural group of runners that is entirely male or a mixed-gender group, use the masculine plural form coureurs.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku.ʁœʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using courseur by analogy with the word course (race). The correct term for the person is coureur.
Did you know?
- The word coureur is used in the expression coureur de jupons, which describes a womanizer or a man who chases many women.
- The term coureur de bois historically refers to a specific type of frontiersman or fur trader in early Canadian history rather than a person running through the woods.
- In the phrase coureur de fond, the word 'fond' means 'bottom' or 'depth', but the term is used to describe a long-distance runner.
Examples in context
- Je suis un coureur.I am a runner.This sentence is useful for identifying yourself as a coureur.Tatoeba #6852 by sysko, translation #255917 by CK
- C'est un coureur rapide.He is a fast runner.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a fast coureur.Tatoeba #4711227 by sacredceltic, translation #300905 by CK
- Je suis le coureur le plus rapide.I am the fastest runner.This sentence is useful for stating that you are the fastest coureur.Tatoeba #1330082 by sacredceltic, translation #257652 by CK
- Le coureur arrive en tête de la course.The runner is coming in first in the race.
- Nous sommes des coureurs à pied passionnés.We are passionate runners.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing their weekend hobbies.
- HugoTu fais du sport le dimanche ?Do you play sports on Sundays?
- ChloéOui, je suis une coureuse passionnée.Yes, I am a passionate runner.
- HugoMoi aussi, je suis un coureur amateur.Me too, I am an amateur runner.
- ChloéOn pourra courir ensemble alors !We can run together then!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “runner” translations and entries coureur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
