toboggan
/tɔ.bɔ.ɡɑ̃/
The French word for "toboggan" is toboggan.
A toboggan is a long sled that lacks runners. In many contexts, the word is also frequently used to refer to a playground slide.
Meaning: long sled without runners (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, Canada, the phrase faire du toboggan is used to mean "to toboggan."
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables: /tɔ.bɔ.ɡɑ̃/.
When do people say it?
In casual contexts, French speakers might refer to inflatable tubes used for sliding down snowy slopes as bouée.
Did you know?
- The French word toboggan is actually a loanword from an Algonquian language spoken by Indigenous peoples in North America.
- In some French-speaking regions, a toboggan can specifically refer to a water slide at a swimming pool.
- Because a toboggan lacks runners, it is historically distinguished from a traîneau, which is a more traditional sled.
Examples in context
- Je vais faire de la luge avec mes amis ce week-end.I am going tobogganing with my friends this weekend.
- Nous avons profité de la glissade en montagne.We enjoyed tobogganing in the mountains.
- Va chercher ton toboggan, on va faire du toboggan!Go grab your toboggan, we're going tobogganing!
- Nous avons passé une journée fantastique à faire du bob en montagne.We had a fantastic day tobogganing in the mountains.
- Il tire le toboggan en haut de la colline.He is pulling the toboggan up the hill.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are playing in the snow.
- LucasRegarde mon toboggan, Manon !Look at my sled, Manon!
- ManonIl a l'air très rapide, Lucas.It looks very fast, Lucas.
- LucasTu veux monter sur le toboggan ?Do you want to get on the sled?
- ManonOui, je suis prête !Yes, I am ready!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry toboggan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
