Sailing glossary

The key words on board in three languages. Handy for charter check-in, radio and international crews.

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German	English	French	Meaning
Achtern	Aft	Arrière	towards the stern
Koje	Berth / bunk	Couchette	bed on board
Baum	Boom	Bôme	spar along the foot of the mainsail
Bug	Bow	Étrave / proue	front end of the boat
Klampe	Cleat	Taquet	fitting to make lines fast
Kurs	Course / heading	Cap	direction the boat is steering
Fender	Fender	Pare-battage	cushion between boat and quay
Vorschiff	Foredeck	Plage avant	forward part of the deck
Pantry	Galley	Cuisine	kitchen on board
Halse	Gybe	Empannage	turning the stern through the wind
Krängung	Heel	Gîte	sideways lean caused by the wind
Fock / Genua	Jib / genoa	Foc / génois	headsail forward of the mast
Knoten (Fahrt)	Knot	Nœud	one nautical mile per hour, 1.852 km/h
Lee	Leeward	Sous le vent	side away from the wind
Rettungsweste	Life jacket	Gilet de sauvetage	keeps a person afloat
Leine	Line / rope	Bout / cordage	any rope on board
Großsegel	Mainsail	Grand-voile	main sail aft of the mast
Mann über Bord	Man overboard	Homme à la mer	emergency: person in the water
Mast	Mast	Mât	vertical spar carrying the sails
Mooring / Boje	Mooring buoy	Bouée / corps-mort	fixed buoy to moor to
Seemeile	Nautical mile	Mille marin	1,852 metres, one minute of latitude
Steg	Pontoon / jetty	Ponton	walkway to moor alongside
Backbord	Port	Bâbord	left side facing forward, red light
Ruder	Rudder	Safran / gouvernail	blade under water for steering
Schot	Sheet	Écoute	line to trim a sail in and out
Steuerbord	Starboard	Tribord	right side facing forward, green light
Heck	Stern	Poupe	back end of the boat
Wende	Tack	Virement de bord	turning the bow through the wind
Beiboot	Tender / dinghy	Annexe	small boat to get ashore
Pinne / Steuerrad	Tiller / wheel	Barre / roue	used to steer
Ankern	To anchor	Mouiller	to secure the boat with the anchor
Reffen	To reef	Prendre un ris	reduce sail area in strong wind
Winsch	Winch	Winch	drum to haul in lines
Luv	Windward	Au vent	side facing the wind