tournoi
/tuʁ.nwa/masculine
The French word for "tournament" is tournoi.
tournoi is a masculine noun used to describe a series of games.
Meaning: series of games (noun)
Which one should you use?
In a formal context, the term championnat may be used to describe a championship or a tournament that leads to a final winner.
How do you pronounce it?
/tuʁ.nwa/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- Historically, the tournoi was distinct from the joute, where knights charged in a straight line rather than in a circle.
- The word tournoi is rooted in the verb tournoyer, which means 'to spin around' or 'to whirl'.
- In medieval France, a tournoi specifically referred to the circling movement of knights as they charged at each other in a ring.
Examples in context
- Patricia organisera le tournoi.Patricia will organize the tournament.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use tournoi with the verb to organize.Tatoeba #13110 by Julien_PDC, translation #35126 by CN
- Vingt équipes se sont inscrites au tournoi.Twenty teams entered the tournament.This sentence shows how to use tournoi with the verb to enter.Tatoeba #10970896 by lbdx, translation #72977 by CK
- Il a emporté le premier prix du tournoi d'échecs.He won the first prize at the chess tournament.This sentence demonstrates how to use tournoi when referring to a chess tournament.Tatoeba #1316822 by sacredceltic, translation #1316819 by CK
- Nous organisons un tournoi de footballWe are organizing a football tournament
- La compétition de tennis commence demainThe tennis tournament starts tomorrow
- J'ai participé à un concours de jeux vidéoI took part in a video game tournament
- L'équipe de tennis participe à un tournoi international en France.The tennis team is participating in an international tournament in France.
- La compétition d'échecs a attiré des joueurs du monde entier.The chess tournament attracted players from around the world.
- La ville organise un concours de jeux vidéo pendant le festival.The city is organizing a video game tournament during the festival.
- On a prévu un tournoi de pétanque pour l'anniversaire de Jean.We've planned a petanque tournament for Jean's birthday.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are talking about a local sports event.
- HugoTu vas regarder le tournoi de foot ?Are you going to watch the football tournament?
- EmmaOui, j'adore ce genre de tournoi.Yes, I love this kind of tournament.
- HugoEmma, tu sais quel est le vainqueur ?Emma, do you know who the winner is?
- EmmaNon, le tournoi n'est pas fini.No, the tournament is not finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tournament” translations and entries tournoi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tournoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
