je joue
The English phrase "I am playing" is translated into French as je joue.
The phrase is used to state that the speaker is currently engaged in a game or playing a musical instrument.
How does it change in a sentence?
French does not have a separate continuous aspect like the English "am playing". The simple present je joue covers both "I play" and "I am playing". When playing a game or a sport, the verb must be followed by the preposition à. When playing a musical instrument, the verb must be followed by the preposition de.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Use jouer à for games and sports, but use jouer de for musical instruments to avoid a common mistake.
Did you know?
- The word joue is a homonym that can also mean 'cheek' in French. While you use je joue to say 'I am playing', the exact same spelling refers to a part of the face.
- In French, the verb jouer can be used as a transitive verb without a preposition to mean 'to act a part' or 'to play a role' in a theater production.
- While je joue means 'I am playing', French speakers often use the phrase je suis en train de jouer to emphasize that they are in the middle of the action.
Examples in context
- Je joue à des jeux vidéo.I am playing video games.This sentence shows how to use je joue when discussing video games.Tatoeba #2049611 by sacredceltic, translation #639363 by ulyssemc1
- Je joue prudemment.I am playing it safe.This sentence uses je joue in the context of playing it safe.Tatoeba #128097 by Julien_PDC, translation #263644 by CM
- Je joue dans le parc.I am playing in the park.This sentence uses je joue to describe playing in a specific location.Tatoeba #1249837 by alexmarcelo, translation #436419 by lukaszpp
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is in the living room practicing his music while Chloé enters.
- ChloéQu'est-ce que tu fais, Lucas ?What are you doing, Lucas?
- LucasJe joue du piano.I am playing the piano.
- ChloéTu joues très bien !You play very well!
- LucasMerci, Chloé.Thank you, Chloé.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
