balançoire
/ba.lɑ̃.swaʁ/feminine
The English word 'swing' can be translated into French as balançoire.
The term balançoire refers to a hanging seat. In the specific context of swing dancing, the English term 'swing' remains generally unchanged in French.
Meaning: hanging seat (noun)
Which one should you use?
While balançoire is the noun used for the physical object, the reflexive verb se balancer is used to describe the action of a person swinging themselves.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun balançoire is feminine, so it is preceded by the feminine articles la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/ba.lɑ̃.swaʁ/
Did you know?
- The verb balancer can be used as slang to mean 'snitching' or 'betraying' someone to the authorities. To balancer someone is to give them away.
- In the 18th century, the balançoire was more than just a toy. It became a famous artistic symbol in Rococo paintings to represent flirtation and breaking social rules.
- The word balançoire shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'balance'. This is because both the French and English terms trace back to the idea of weighing or swaying back and forth.
Examples in context
- Qui a cassé la balançoire ?Who broke the swing?This sentence is useful for asking who broke the balançoire.Tatoeba #10727064 by Micsmithel, translation #6273806 by CK
- Ma fille adore la balançoire.My daughter loves to swing.This sentence is useful for expressing a daughter's love for the balançoire.Tatoeba #10727028 by Micsmithel, translation #6698182 by Eccles17
- Tom se balance sur une balançoire.Tom is swinging on a swing.This sentence is useful for describing someone using a balançoire.Tatoeba #10727123 by Micsmithel, translation #7463985 by CK
- Le balancement du pendule est apaisant.The swing of the pendulum is soothing.
- Les enfants adorent se balancer au parc.Children love to swing at the park.
- Les enfants se balancent sur les balançoires.The children swing on the swings.
- J'adore danser le swing.I love dancing swing.
- Le swing est un style musical dynamique.Swing is a dynamic music style.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are at a local playground.
- GabrielEst-ce que je peux utiliser la balançoire ?Can I use the swing?
- LéaOui, Gabriel, elle est libre.Yes, Gabriel, it is free.
- GabrielMerci Léa, je m'installe !Thanks Léa, I'm getting on!
- LéaFais attention sur la balançoire !Be careful on the swing!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swing” translations and entries balançoire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balançoire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
