faire du bowling
To go bowling in French is faire du bowling.
The phrase is used to describe the activity of playing the game of bowling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb faire (to do/make) and the partitive article du (some) with bowling.
Which one should you use?
While faire du bowling is common, you can also say jouer au bowling to mean playing the game. For a more formal context, you might use Participer à une partie de bowling, which means to participate in a game of bowling.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because bowling is treated as a masculine noun in this context, the partitive article du is used.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying aller bowling. English speakers often mistakenly omit the verb and the article, but you should use faire du bowling or jouer au bowling instead.
Did you know?
- The verb faire in faire du bowling traces its roots back to the Latin facere, which is the same ancestor as the English word 'fact'.
Examples in context
- Allons faire du bowling.Let's go bowling.This sentence is useful for suggesting the activity using faire du bowling.Tatoeba #10215803 by lbdx, translation #3733812 by CK
- Je ne veux pas aller faire du bowling.I don't want to go bowling.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to engage in faire du bowling.Tatoeba #4076396 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4074365 by CK
- Je veux aller faire du bowling avec Tom.I want to go bowling with Tom.This sentence is useful for stating an intention to go faire du bowling with someone.Tatoeba #5289201 by Aiji, translation #5193531 by CK
- Allons faire du bowling ce soir!Let's go bowling tonight!
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are deciding on a plan for the evening.
- LucasTu veux faire du bowling ce soir ?Do you want to go bowling tonight?
- ChloéOui, c'est une excellente idée !Yes, that is an excellent idea!
- LucasOn réserve une piste pour deux personnes ?Shall we reserve a lane for two people?
- ChloéOui, je peux m'en occuper.Yes, I can take care of it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bowling, du, faire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
