Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| voyage | /vwa.jaʒ/ | masculine |
| balade | /ba.lad/ | masculine |
voyage is used for significant journeys or travels. If you are referring to a short, spontaneous jaunt, you might use the informal term virée. If the trip is a short, leisurely walk or stroll, you use balade.
Which one should you use?
voyage refers to a long journey or a major trip, whereas balade describes a short, leisurely walk or stroll. In contrast, the informal term virée is used to express a short, spontaneous outing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms voyage and balade are both masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of voyage is /vwa.jaʒ/ and consists of two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use voyage to mean a short 'trip' such as a quick outing or a business trip. In French, voyage implies a more significant journey. For a short trip, it is better to use un déplacement or un trajet.
Did you know?
- The informal word virée does not just mean a short trip, but often carries a connotation of a 'wild' outing or a night of partying.
- In French, a 'business trip' is called un déplacement, which literally translates to 'a displacement' or 'a moving'.
- The word voyage shares its roots with the English word 'voyage', but it also shares a common ancestor with the word 'viaticum', which refers to the provisions or money given to someone for a journey.
Examples in context
- Fais bon voyage !Have a safe trip.The sentence using voyage is useful for wishing someone a safe trip.Tatoeba #1763116 by sacredceltic, translation #28483 by CK
- Ça vaut le voyage.It's worth a trip.The sentence using voyage is useful for stating that something is worth the journey.Tatoeba #2187144 by sacredceltic, translation #2182136 by Hybrid
- Bon voyage à vous !A pleasant trip to you!The sentence using voyage is useful for wishing someone a pleasant trip.Tatoeba #2199962 by Aiji, translation #21298 by fishda
- J'ai prévu un voyage en France ce mois-ci.I have planned a trip to France this month.
- Mon déplacement à Genève a été très productif.My business trip to Geneva was very productive.
- On va faire une excursion à la mer ce weekend.We're going on a trip to the seaside this weekend.
- Je suis parti en virée avec mes amis à la campagne.I went on a trip to the countryside with my friends.
- J'ai entrepris un périple en voiture à travers le Canada.I embarked on a car trip across Canada.
- Cette escapade en ville m'a donné une nouvelle perspective.This city trip gave me a fresh perspective.
- 342 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing her upcoming travels.
- HugoTu es prête pour ton voyage ?Are you ready for your journey?
- ChloéOui, j'ai tout préparé, Hugo.Yes, I have prepared everything, Hugo.
- HugoTu vas faire un beau voyage.You are going to have a beautiful journey.
- ChloéMerci, j'ai vraiment hâte de partir.Thank you, I really can't wait to leave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trip” translations and entries voyage, balade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balade, voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
