This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Poetry & Literature

sportif / sportive

English translation: physical

02:53 Sep 30, 2021
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
French term or phrase: sportif / sportive
I'm wondering if anybody could suggest a translation for "sportive" in the following sentence: "Le livre introduit une sexualité « sportive » dégagée de tout pathos".

I believe "sportive" is being used here in the more familiar sense of "playful" or "wild" (I can't find much evidence of this usage online or good in-sentence examples but I know it exists). I don't think it would make sense in this context for it to mean "sporty" or "healthy".

Interested in other interpretations!
Sara Cooper
Australia
Local time: 13:45
English translation:physical
Explanation:
The last part of the sentence, dégagée de tout pathos, makes me think the sexuality referenced here is purely “physical” in nature, as opposed to containing an emotional element.
Selected response from:

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 23:45
Grading comment
Thank you very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +7physical
Sheri P
4 +1(sexual) playfulness
David Hollywood
3 +2Athletic sex
ormiston
4casual
Nicole Acher
3an acrobatic sexuality
Sarah Triboulet-L'Heureux
3vigorous
Philippa Smith


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
(sexual) playfulness


Explanation:
sexualité « sportive

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2021-09-30 03:08:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1363460717731928

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2021-09-30 03:09:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sexual playfulness not only enriches the sexual mood but gives special meaning to your relationship. It enables couples to experience sex ...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2021-09-30 03:10:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

https://www.google.com/search?q=sexual playfulness&rlz=1C1GC...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2021-09-30 03:15:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Defined as a mode of sensory openness and drive towards improvisation, playfulness can be seen as central to a range of sexual activities from fumbling, random motions to elaborate, rehearsed scenarios. Play in the realm of sexuality involves experimentations with what bodies can feel and do.

David Hollywood
Local time: 00:45
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AcornTr_US: C'est la meilleure option selon le contexte.
11 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
physical


Explanation:
The last part of the sentence, dégagée de tout pathos, makes me think the sexuality referenced here is purely “physical” in nature, as opposed to containing an emotional element.

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 23:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thank you very much!
Notes to answerer
Asker: I think you must be right, Sheri! Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I think I'll go with "purely physical", as suggested by Helene.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: I agree with your interpretation: sex as a purely physical recreational activity.
2 hrs
agree  Helene Tammik: yup, my interpretation too. In this context, perhaps "purely physical" would work, to be clear about the distinction.
3 hrs
agree  Conor McAuley
3 hrs
agree  Patrick White
4 hrs
agree  philgoddard: I like Tony's 'recreational' too.
4 hrs
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
7 hrs
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: I like Helene's "purely physical".
11 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
an acrobatic sexuality


Explanation:
I think in this context, "sportive" carries not only the meaning of being only physical with no emotional connection, but also the playfulness AND the idea that sex will be physically intense, like an unusual workout.

Sarah Triboulet-L'Heureux
Canada
Local time: 22:45
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Without further context to corroborate, I think this amounts to over-interpretation.
2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
casual


Explanation:
The sense I get is that it refers to casual sex, without any sentiment or emotional attachment.

Example sentence(s):
  • The book introduces a casual, purely physical approach to sex.
Nicole Acher
United States
Local time: 23:45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: I think this is over-interpretation — there is nothing in the S/T to suggest the 'casual' aspect.
1 hr
  -> The casual aspect seems to me implied by the “degage de tout pathos”. Recreational sex might work even better, with its connotation of something done for fun or sport.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Athletic sex


Explanation:
noun. Sexual acts or activities performed with a high degree of vigour or skill.

Plenty inspiration online!

ormiston
Local time: 05:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Conor McAuley
8 mins
agree  Cyril Tollari
46 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
vigorous


Explanation:
As in:
"a vigorous, resolutely upbeat approach to sex"
I think your interpretation is right and that it is talking about a form of sexuality that is vigorous and playful and cheerful.


Philippa Smith
Local time: 05:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 48
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search