toboggan
/tɔ.bɔ.ɡɑ̃/masculine
The English word slide is translated into French as toboggan. Wiktionary also lists glissoire and glissade.
Meaning: item of play equipment (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| toboggan | /tɔ.bɔ.ɡɑ̃/ | masculine |
| glissoire | /ɡli.swaʁ/ | Quebec, feminine |
| glissade | /ɡli.sad/ | Quebec, feminine |
The term refers to an item of play equipment.
Which one should you use?
The word toboggan is the standard term used in France for a playground slide. In Quebec, you may also encounter the feminine forms glissoire and glissade.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the terms glissoire and glissade are used to refer to a slide.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /tɔ.bɔ.ɡɑ̃/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the French toboggan (a playground slide) with the English word 'toboggan' (a type of sled).
Did you know?
- The word toboggan is actually a loanword from the Mi'kmaq language of North America. It entered French through contact with indigenous peoples in Canada.
- The word glissade can also refer to a specific type of footwork used in ice skating or ballet to glide gracefully.
- In Quebec, the word glissade can refer to both the physical slide and the act of sliding itself. It is also used to name large winter festivals centered around snow slides.
Examples in context
- Ils jouent dans le toboggan.They're playing on the slide.This sentence shows the use of the masculine noun toboggan.Tatoeba #9858066 by Julien_PDC, translation #12299682 by Miktsoanit
- Ziri était sur le toboggan.Ziri was on the slide.Tatoeba #12203024 by hustledynamo, translation #10210445 by Amastan
- Ziri est descendu du toboggan.Ziri got off the slide.Tatoeba #12203025 by hustledynamo, translation #10210444 by Amastan
- La glissière du tiroir est très lisse et pratique.The drawer slide is very smooth and practical.
- Allons au parc et essayons le nouveau toboggan !Let's go to the park and try out the new slide!
- Je suis allé au parc avec mes amis et nous avons descendu le toboggan plusieurs fois.I went to the park with my friends, and we slid down the slide multiple times.
Example conversation
Two children are at a local playground.
- HugoRegarde ce grand toboggan bleu !Look at that big blue slide!
- EmmaIl est génial, Hugo.It is great, Hugo.
- HugoTu veux descendre du toboggan avec moi ?Do you want to go down the slide with me?
- EmmaOui, allons-y !Yes, let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slide” translations and entries toboggan, glissoire, glissade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
