chaussures de tennis
The English phrase "tennis shoes" is translated into French as chaussures de tennis.
chaussures de tennis refers specifically to footwear designed for playing the sport of tennis. While this is the most precise term for the sport, you may also encounter more general terms for athletic shoes or sneakers.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chaussures (shoes) and de tennis (of tennis).
Which one should you use?
chaussures de tennis is used when referring specifically to footwear for the sport of tennis. For the more general category of sneakers or general athletic shoes, you might use chaussures de sport or baskets.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you may use the informal terms espadrilles de tennis or simply espadrilles to refer to tennis shoes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a noun phrase where chaussures is the head noun and de tennis acts as an adjectival modifier.
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the word espadrilles is used for tennis shoes, but in France, espadrilles refers specifically to traditional hemp-soled slip-on shoes.
- In France, the word baskets for athletic shoes is a loanword from the English 'basketball'. It has expanded to cover almost any kind of sneaker, not just those for basketball.
- The French word tennis was actually borrowed from English. While many English sports terms are French, this one traveled in the opposite direction.
Examples in context
- Dan portait des chaussures de tennis blanches.Dan wore white tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for describing the color of someone's chaussures de tennis.Tatoeba #4009315 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4009273 by Amastan
- Tom porte habituellement des chaussures de tennis blanches.Tom usually wears white tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for describing a habitual action involving chaussures de tennis.Tatoeba #4052427 by GB3, translation #4052286 by CK
- Envoie-moi une raquette et mes chaussures de tennis.Send me a racket and my tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for requesting a racket and your chaussures de tennis.Tatoeba #1191189 by rene1596, translation #29803 by Dejo
- Je vais acheter de nouvelles chaussures de tennis pour la saison.I am going to buy new tennis shoes for the season.
- J'adore tes baskets, elles sont super stylées!I love your sneakers, they are so stylish!
- Les souliers de tennis que vous avez recommandés sont très confortables.The tennis shoes you recommended are very comfortable.
- Je viens de m'acheter une nouvelle paire de sneakers pour jouer au tennis.I just bought a new pair of sneakers to play tennis.
Example conversation
Gabriel is preparing his sports bag for a match.
- GabrielEst-ce que j'ai pris mes chaussures de tennis ?Did I take my tennis shoes?
- EmmaOui, elles sont dans ton sac.Yes, they are in your bag.
- GabrielSuper, je ne veux pas les oublier.Great, I don't want to forget them.
- EmmaN'oublie pas non plus ta raquette !Don't forget your racket either!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, tennis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
