Which one should you use?
While se balader is a common way to say one is strolling or wandering around, Faire un tour is another informal phrase used to mean taking a stroll. For a more specific sense of going for a little stroll, you can use the colloquial expression Se taper une petite balade.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Se balader is an informal expression. It is more colloquial than the formal term se promener. Similarly, Faire un tour is an informal phrase and Se taper une petite balade is considered colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
Se balader is a reflexive verb, which means you must use reflexive pronouns such as me, te, se, nous, vous or se when conjugating it.
When do people say it?
In France, people often go for a walk after a meal, a practice known as a promenade digestive.
Did you know?
- The verb balader is actually linked to the word 'ballade', a type of lyric poem. It originally described the way wandering troubadours and jugglers moved from place to place while performing.
- The colloquial phrase se taper une petite balade uses the verb taper, which literally means 'to hit' or 'to strike'.
- While se balader usually refers to walking, the noun balade can describe a short pleasure trip taken by car or bike.
Examples in context
- Lors de votre visite, vous devriez faire une promenade le long de la rivière.During your visit, you should take a stroll along the river.
- Après le dîner, nous pourrions aller nous balader dans le quartier.After dinner, we could go for a walk in the neighborhood.
- Tu veux aller te balader en ville cet après-midi ?Do you want to go for a stroll in the city this afternoon?
- On pourrait faire un tour dans le parc et profiter du beau temps.We could take a stroll in the park and enjoy the good weather.
- Ça te dit de te taper une petite balade en bord de mer ?Do you feel like going for a little stroll by the sea?
- Je vais me balader dans le parc.I am going to take a stroll in the park.
- On va se balader au parc ?Shall we take a stroll in the park?
- Elle veut se balader au bord de la mer.She wants to take a stroll by the seaside.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are deciding what to do on a sunny afternoon.
- LéaIl fait beau, on va se balader ?The weather is nice, shall we take a stroll?
- HugoOui, bonne idée, Léa.Yes, good idea, Léa.
- LéaOn peut aller vers le centre-ville.We can go towards the city center.
- HugoD'accord, c'est parti !Okay, let's go!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balader, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
