International nautical glossary
Translation of marine terms and expressions into French, English, German and Italian
Sailing in Europe, whether in the Mediterranean Sea, along the Atlantic coast, in the Baltic Sea, or on the numerous inland waterways, requires knowing the language of sailors in multiple languages. Here is a nautical glossary for pleasure boating in four European languages.
Sailing in Europe means discovering vastly different landscapes, diverse cultures, and various languages. In this context, mastering technical nautical terms in multiple languages is not just an advantage but a necessity for any sailor or yachtsman.
Indeed, European ports welcome sailors from all over the world, and effective communication is important to ensure safety at sea, proper management of port maneuvers, and understanding local regulations.
Nautical terms, whether they refer to parts of a boat, maneuvers, or navigation equipment, are specific and often absent from general vocabulary. Misunderstandings or poor translations can lead to costly, even dangerous, errors.
Whether you are communicating with port authorities, consulting a foreign nautical chart, or seeking assistance from other sailors in case of a problem, knowing the linguistic equivalents of technical terms becomes essential. This helps avoid misunderstandings, allows for smooth navigation from one country to another, and fosters stronger connections within the international maritime community.
Here is an international nautical glossary to assist you in your navigations
Français | Anglais | Allemand | Italien |
Bateau | Boat | Boot | Barca |
Voile | Sail | Segel | Vela |
Ancre | Anchor | Anker | Ancora |
Capitaine | Captain | Kapitän | Capitano |
Mât | Mast | Mast | Albero |
Gouvernail | Rudder | Ruder | Timone |
Cabine | Cabin | Kabine | Cabina |
Boussole | Compass | Kompass | Bussola |
Équipage | Crew | Mannschaft | Equipaggio |
Hublot | Porthole | Bullauge | Oblò |
Pont | Deck | Deck | Ponte |
Quille | Keel | Kiel | Chiglia |
Coque | Hull | Rumpf | Scafo |
Marin | Sailor | Seemann | Marinaio |
Amarre | Mooring line | Festmacherleine | Ormeggio |
Bouée | Buoy | Boje | Boa |
Port | Harbor/Port | Hafen | Porto |
Hélice | Propeller | Propeller | Elica |
Baie | Bay | Bucht | Baia |
Vague | Wave | Welle | Onda |
Vent | Wind | Wind | Vento |
Phare | Lighthouse | Leuchtturm | Faro |
Amarrage | Mooring | Festmachen | Ormeggio |
Chaloupe | Dinghy | Beiboot | Gommone |
Tribord | Starboard | Steuerbord | Tribordo |
Bâbord | Port (side) | Backbord | Babordo |
Balise | Beacon/Buoy | Bake/Boje | Segnalatore/Boa |
Sondeur | Depth sounder | Echolot | Ecogoniometro |
Carte marine | Nautical chart | Seekarte | Carta nautica |
Pare-battage | Fender | Fender | Parabordo |
Bôme | Boom | Baum | Boma |
Préculement | Bow | Bug | Prua |
Poupe | Stern | Heck | Poppa |
Safran | Tiller | Pinne | Barra |
Cabestan | Capstan | Spill | Verricello |
Winch | Winch | Winsch | Verricello |
Écoutille | Hatch | Lukendeckel | Boccaporto |
Étrave | Stem/Forefoot | Vordersteven | Prua |
Étai | Forestay | Vorstag | Strallo |
Hauban | Shroud | Wanten | Sartia |
Balcon avant | Pulpit | Bugkorb | Pulpito |
Balcon arrière | Pushpit | Heckkorb | Pulpito di poppa |
Liston | Rub rail | Scheuerleiste | Bordi laterali |
Voile d’artimon | Mizzen sail | Besan | Vela di mezzana |
Écoute | Sheet | Schot | Scotta |
Drisse | Halyard | Fall | Drizza |
Tangon | Spinnaker pole | Spinnakerbaum | Tangone |
Compas de route | Course compass | Kurskompass | Compasso da rotta |
GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS |
Radar | Radar | Radar | Radar |
Loch | Log (Speedometer) | Logge | Contachilometri |
VHF | VHF Radio | UKW-Funkgerät | Radio VHF |
Anémomètre | Anemometer | Windmesser | Anemometro |
Baromètre | Barometer | Barometer | Barometro |
Girouette | Wind vane | Windfahne | Girouetta |
Électronique de bord | Onboard electronics | Bordelektronik | Elettronica di bordo |
Manche à air | Wind sock | Windsack | Manica a vento |
Gilet de sauvetage | Life jacket | Rettungsweste | Giubbotto di salvataggio |
Bouée de sauvetage | Lifebuoy | Rettungsring | Salvagente |
Feu de navigation | Navigation light | Positionslaterne | Luce di navigazione |
Pavillon | Flag | Flagge | Bandiera |