French · Body & Health

"Muscle" in French: muscle

le muscle

Say it: mŭsklmasculine · le musclenoun/myskl/

Muscle in French is le muscle. Plural les muscles. Say J'ai mal aux muscles after a workout, and muscler for to build muscle.

After gym

J'ai mal à un muscle de la jambe.
A muscle in my leg hurts.
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How to pronounce muscle

Say it

mŭskl

/myskl/

Mŭskl. Soft u; final l lightly released.

"Muscle" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
le musclethe muscle

Default.

les musclesthe muscles

Plural.

mal aux musclessore muscles

Aches.

prendre du muscleto gain muscle

Training.

How to use muscle in real life

  1. 1After gym

    J'ai mal à un muscle de la jambe.

    A muscle in my leg hurts.

    Soreness.

  2. 2Trainer tip

    Échauffe bien ce muscle avant.

    Warm that muscle up well first.

    Prep.

  3. 3Anatomy class

    Le muscle se contracte puis se relâche.

    The muscle contracts then relaxes.

    Function.

Mistakes English speakers make with muscle

Incorrect: La muscle est fatiguée.

Correct: Le muscle est fatigué.

Muscle is masculine.

Incorrect: Mes muscles font mal (ok) vs mon muscle font mal.

Correct: Mon muscle fait mal. / Mes muscles font mal.

Match verb to singular/plural.

Good to know

Gym French mixes muscle, musculation, and courbatures (DOMS). Courbatures are the next-day aches; mal au muscle can be sharper. Stretching is s'étirer.

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Post-workout stretch

  1. ChatPal

    Quel muscle tire le plus ?

    Which muscle is pulling most?

  2. You

    Le muscle derrière la cuisse.

    The muscle behind the thigh.

  3. ChatPal

    Étire ce muscle doucement.

    Stretch that muscle gently.

  4. You

    Oui, ça va mieux.

    Yes, that's better.

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"Muscle" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Muscle" in French

How do you say muscle?

Le muscle.

How do I say sore muscles?

J'ai mal aux muscles. or J'ai des courbatures.

What is the plural?

Les muscles.

How do you pronounce muscle?

Mŭskl.

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