je veux jouer
The English phrase "I want to play" is translated into French as je veux jouer.
This phrase is used to express a desire to engage in a game or a fun activity. When you want to specify the game or sport you intend to play, use the preposition à after the verb, such as in jouer au football. If you want to express the desire to play with a person or a toy, use the preposition avec, such as jouer avec un chien.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je veux jouer is composed of je (I), veux (want) and jouer (to play).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase je veux jouer, the verb jouer remains in its infinitive form because it follows the conjugated verb veux.
Did you know?
- The English word 'joke' and the French verb jouer are distant linguistic cousins, both descending from the Latin 'iocari' which meant to jest or sport.
- While jouer is used for team sports like football, French uses the verb faire (to do) for activities like cycling or skiing. Saying je veux jouer du vélo would sound unnatural to a native speaker.
- In a professional theater setting, an actor using the verb jouer is often referring to the act of performing or acting a role rather than playing a game.
Examples in context
- Je veux jouer avec vous.I want to play with you.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to play with someone using je veux jouer.Tatoeba #8641423 by Rovo, translation #8085806 by Talwit
- Je veux jouer, moi aussi.I want to play, too.This sentence is useful for expressing that you also want to play using je veux jouer.Tatoeba #2462403 by sacredceltic, translation #2011493 by CK
- Je veux jouer aux cartes.I want to play cards.This sentence is useful for specifying a particular game using je veux jouer.Tatoeba #3236143 by sacredceltic, translation #253304 by CK
- Je souhaite jouer au tennis ce samedi.I want to play tennis this Saturday.
- J'aimerais jouer au piano avec vous.I would like to play piano with you.
- Je veux jouer aux cartes ce soir.I want to play cards tonight.
- J'ai envie de jouer au football dans le parc.I feel like playing football in the park.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are in a living room with many board games.
- GabrielJe veux jouer à un jeu de société.I want to play a board game.
- LéaD'accord, lequel choisis-tu ?Okay, which one do you choose?
- GabrielCelui-là semble amusant.That one looks fun.
- LéaOn commence tout de suite !Let's start right away!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, jouer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
