rafting
/ʁaf.tiŋ/
White water rafting in French is rafting.
The term refers to the recreational activity of navigating a river's rapids using an inflatable raft.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ʁaf.tiŋ/.
Did you know?
- The French word radeau, which is the root for the formal term for rafting, is most famously associated with the painting Le Radeau de la Méduse, depicting a tragic shipwreck.
- While the English term rafting is used, the official technical term for the sport in French is often descente en eaux vives, which literally translates to 'descent in living waters'.
- If you ask a professional for a radeau, they might think you are building a primitive wooden structure rather than looking for an inflatable boat.
Examples in context
- Ce week-end, on va faire du raft entre amis, ça va être génial !This weekend, we're going white water rafting with friends, it's going to be awesome!
- Le rafting est très excitant.White water rafting is very exciting.
- Nous allons faire du rafting ce week-end.We are going white water rafting this weekend.
- Elle a commencé le rafting à l'âge de vingt ans.She started white water rafting at the age of twenty.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their summer vacation plans.
- ManonTu veux faire du rafting avec moi cet été ?Do you want to go white water rafting with me this summer?
- LucasOui, j'adorerais essayer le rafting !Yes, I would love to try white water rafting!
- ManonC'est parfait, Lucas, je vais réserver pour nous.That's perfect, Lucas, I will book it for us.
- LucasMerci Manon, ça va être génial.Thanks Manon, it is going to be great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rafting, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
