softball
masculine
The English word "softball" is translated into French as softball.
When discussing the equipment or players, you may use la batte for bat, le gant for glove and le lanceur/la lanceuse for pitcher.
Meaning: game (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the sport is often referred to as balle-molle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word softball is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'ball' for almost every spherical object, French distinguishes between balle for small, hard balls like softball and ballon for larger, air-filled ones.
- The term balle-molle is a calque, a word-for-word translation of 'softball', which is a common way for Quebec French to adapt English sporting terms.
- In France, the term softball is used, but if you use the word balle in a different context, it can also mean a 'bullet' or a 'small ball' used in various games.
Examples in context
- Le softball est un sport populaire dans de nombreux pays."Softball" is a popular sport in many countries.
- On va jouer une partie de balle-molle ce soir.We're going to play a game of softball tonight.
- Le softball est un sport passionnant.Softball is an exciting sport.
- Elle joue au softball tous les samedis.She plays softball every Saturday.
- Nous avons gagné notre match de softball.We won our softball game.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about their weekend plans.
- EmmaTu veux venir voir mon match de softball ?Do you want to come see my softball game?
- LucasOui, je serais ravi de te soutenir.Yes, I would be delighted to support you.
- EmmaC'est gentil, Lucas, le match est à midi.That's kind, Lucas, the game is at noon.
- LucasParfait, je serai là pour toi.Perfect, I will be there for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “softball” translations and entries softball, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
