participer
The English phrase "join in" is translated into French as participer.
participer is the standard way to say "to join in". While it is the standard translation, it often carries a more formal or structured connotation than the English phrasal verb, implying involvement in an organized event or process.
Which one should you use?
While participer is the standard translation, the idiomatic phrase prendre part à is a common alternative used to express the idea of joining in or taking part in something. If the act of joining specifically involves engaging in a game or a playful activity, you can use the informal expression jouer avec, which means "to join in and play with".
How does it change in a sentence?
When participer means to join in an activity or event, it is almost always followed by the preposition à.
Did you know?
- In French, if you want to join a group of people already chatting, you might use the reflexive s'incruster, which literally means 'to crust oneself' into a group.
- In a financial context, participer can mean to contribute money or share the cost of something, like splitting a bill at a restaurant.
- While participer is used for joining an event, the phrase s'en mêler is used when someone joins in or interferes in a conversation where they were not invited.
Examples in context
- Nous fondons une jeune pousse en IA. Veux-tu y participer ?We are founding an AI start-up. Do you want to join in?This sentence shows how to use participer when asking if someone wants to join a new venture.Tatoeba #14057915 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #14057913 by Ioan_Cristian
- Je souhaiterais participer à cette réunionI would like to join this meeting
- Je souhaite prendre part à cette manifestationI would like to take part in this demonstration
- Je me joins à vous pour cette séance de travailI'm joining you for this work session
- Je vais te rejoindre à la fêteI'm going to join you at the party
- Je participe à la discussionI'm participating in the discussion
- Je vais me mêler à la conversationI'm going to join the conversation
- Je veux prendre part à la fête ce soirI want to join the party tonight
- Je vais participer à la réunion demain matin.I am going to join the meeting tomorrow morning.
- Tu peux te joindre à nous pour le dîner si tu veux.You can join us for dinner if you want.
- Je veux prendre part à cette belle initiative.I want to be part of this wonderful initiative.
- Tout le monde veut participer à la fête.Everyone wants to join in the party.
- Est-ce que tu veux participer au jeu ?Do you want to join in the game?
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are at a party with a group game.
- LéaOn joue aux cartes, Nathan !We are playing cards, Nathan!
- NathanEst-ce que je peux participer ?Can I join in?
- LéaOui, viens t'asseoir avec nous.Yes, come sit with us.
- NathanMerci, Léa !Thanks, Léa!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
