starboard & port

ByFast French

In French, tribord and bâbord are the nautical terms for “starboard” and “port.” These words are used to describe the right and left sides of a ship when facing forward.

Meanings and Usage

  • Tribord (starboard in English) refers to the right side of a vessel when looking forward.
    • Example: Le gouvernail est à tribord. (The rudder is on the starboard side.)
  • Bâbord (port in English) refers to the left side of a vessel when looking forward.
    • Example: Les passagers doivent embarquer par bâbord. (Passengers must board on the port side.)

Etymology

  • Tribord comes from the Dutch stuurboord, meaning “steering side,” as ships were traditionally steered from the right.
  • Bâbord comes from the Dutch bakboord, meaning “back side” or “opposite side of the rudder.”

Contrast with English

In English, “starboard” and “port” serve the same function, but the origins differ slightly:

  • “Starboard” also comes from Old Norse and Old English, referring to the steering side of a ship.
  • “Port” replaced the older term “larboard” to avoid confusion, as “larboard” sounded too similar to “starboard.”

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • maint

    ByFast French

    The French adjective “maint” means “many,” “many a,” “numerous” or “manifold.” It is a little archaic and is most commonly used in a literary way, although some still use it in everyday speech. People tend to prefer more modern words such as “beaucoup,” “nombreux,” “plusieurs,” or more familiarly, “plein de.” As an adjective, “maint” must…

  • happen (version 2.0)

    ByFast French

    The English verb “to happen” has various meanings and nuances that can be expressed in different ways in French. The choice of translation depends on the context in which the word is used. This article explores the most common French equivalents for “happen” and provides examples for each. 1. Se produire Se produire is often…

  • huit jours & quinze jours

    ByFast French

    Huit jours and quinze jours are French time phrases meaning “a week” and “a fortnight” respectively. Literally they translate as “eight days” and “fifteen days,” but in practice they refer to seven and fourteen days. The mismatch is a long-standing feature of the language, with roots in Roman methods of counting and in legal and…

  • demonstrative adjectives

    ByFast French

    French demonstrative adjectives (ce, cet, cette, ces) are used to point out specific nouns and must agree in gender and number. Here’s how they work: 1. Masculine Singular: ce / cet 2. Feminine Singular: cette 3. Plural (Both Genders): ces 4. Adding -ci (here) and -là (there) for Clarity To specify “this one here” or…

  • nouveau vs neuf

    ByFast French

    The French adjectives “nouveau” and “neuf” both mean “new.” So how do you decide which one to use? Nouveau Meaning: Usage: “Nouveau” is used before the noun and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: Examples: Neuf Meaning: Usage: “Neuf” is also used before the noun and must agree in gender and…

  • Toutatis

    ByFast French

    The name Toutatis (also spelled Teutates) comes from the ancient Celtic world. He was one of several deities worshipped by the Gauls before the Roman conquest of Gaul. His name is believed to mean “god of the tribe” or “god of the people”, from the Celtic root teuta- meaning “tribe” or “people”. Toutatis was not…