jouer d'un instrument
To play an instrument in French is jouer d'un instrument.
The phrase is used to describe the act of producing musical sounds using a musical instrument.
Which one should you use?
In French, there is a distinction between playing an instrument and playing a game or sport. You use jouer de for musical instruments, but you must use jouer à when referring to games or sports.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb jouer must be followed by the preposition de when referring to playing a musical instrument. When you specify the instrument, the form of de changes based on the noun's gender. For a masculine instrument, de + le contracts to du, such as in jouer du piano. For a feminine instrument, use de la, such as in jouer de la guitare.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid omitting the preposition de when naming a specific instrument. For example, do not say jouer le piano. Instead, use jouer du piano.
Did you know?
- If you use the wrong preposition and say jouer au piano instead of jouer du piano, you are grammatically implying that the piano is a sport or a board game like chess.
- The verb jouer shares its Latin ancestor, iocārī, with the English word 'joke'. While today it means 'to play', its origins were rooted in the concept of jesting or playing around.
- In French, the word instrument is also used in a legal context to refer to a formal written document, such as a 'notarial instrument', which has nothing to do with music.
Examples in context
- Sais-tu jouer d'un instrument ?Can you play an instrument?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has the ability to play an instrument with jouer d'un instrument.Tatoeba #4218382 by sacredceltic, translation #4185125 by User66640
- J'aimerais savoir jouer d'un instrument.I'd like to be able to play an instrument.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn how to play an instrument with jouer d'un instrument.Tatoeba #12931991 by lbdx, translation #5933883 by mailohilohi
- Je joue du piano.I play the piano.
- Elle joue de la guitare.She plays the guitar.
- Il joue du violon.He plays the violin.
- Je pratique le saxophone.I practice the saxophone.
- Je joue du synthé.I play the keyboard.
- Tu joues de la basse.You play the bass guitar.
- On joue de la flûte.We play the flute.
- Tu fais de la musique avec tes amis.You play music with your friends.
- Les filles ont joué du violon.The girls played the violin.
- Il est difficile de jouer d'un instrument parfaitement.It is difficult to play an instrument perfectly.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are talking about their hobbies.
- LucasEst-ce que tu sais jouer d'un instrument, Emma ?Do you know how to play an instrument, Emma?
- EmmaOui, je joue du piano depuis cinq ans.Yes, I have been playing the piano for five years.
- LucasC'est génial ! Moi, je ne sais pas jouer d'un instrument.That's great! Me, I don't know how to play an instrument.
- EmmaTu devrais essayer d'en apprendre un !You should try to learn one!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries instrument, jouer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
