French · Body & Health

"Leg" in French: jambe

la jambe

Say it: ZHAHMBfeminine · la jambenoun/ʒɑ̃b/

Leg in French is la jambe. J'ai mal à la jambe means my leg hurts. La cuisse is the thigh; la jambe often means the whole lower limb in everyday talk.

After a run

Ma jambe gauche est raide.
My left leg is stiff.
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How to pronounce jambe

Say it

ZHAHMB

/ʒɑ̃b/

Jambe is roughly ZHAHMB. Soft j like s in measure; nasal am; silent e.

"Leg" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
la jambethe leg

Body part.

les jambesthe legs

Plural.

mal à la jambeleg pain

J'ai mal à la jambe.

se casser la jambeto break one's leg

Injury talk.

How to use jambe in real life

  1. 1After a run

    Ma jambe gauche est raide.

    My left leg is stiff.

    Ma jambe.

  2. 2Doctor

    Vous avez mal à quelle jambe ?

    Which leg hurts?

    Quelle jambe.

  3. 3Stairs

    Monte doucement, ménage ta jambe.

    Go up slowly; go easy on your leg.

    Ta jambe.

Mistakes English speakers make with jambe

Incorrect: Le jambe.

Correct: La jambe.

Jambe is feminine.

Incorrect: Ma leg.

Correct: Ma jambe.

Use jambe.

Good to know

In precise anatomy, jambe can mean below the knee, but daily speech uses la jambe for the whole leg. Sports physios will clarify cuisse / genou / mollet.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

After football practice

  1. ChatPal

    Tu boites. C'est la jambe ?

    You're limping. Is it the leg?

  2. You

    Oui, la jambe droite. Une mauvaise chute.

    Yes, the right leg. A bad fall.

  3. ChatPal

    On glace et on surélève.

    We'll ice it and elevate it.

  4. You

    Merci. Je vois un kiné demain.

    Thanks. I'll see a physio tomorrow.

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"Leg" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Leg" in French

How do you say leg in French?

La jambe.

How do I say my leg hurts?

J'ai mal à la jambe.

Jambe vs cuisse?

Cuisse is thigh; jambe is the usual everyday "leg".

How do you pronounce jambe?

ZHAHMB.

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