Joue avec moi
The English phrase "play with me" is translated into French as Joue avec moi.
This phrase is a request for someone to join in a game or activity for fun. It is most commonly used by children requesting playmates or in a playful, non-serious context between adults.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb joue (play), the preposition avec (with) and the stressed pronoun moi (me).
Which one should you use?
Joue avec moi uses the 'tu' form of the imperative, making it appropriate for children, friends or peers, whereas Jouez avec moi is used for groups or formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person or using the formal vous form, use Jouez avec moi instead of Joue avec moi.
Did you know?
- In French, the word jouer is used for games and sports, but you cannot use it to say 'play' when referring to a musical instrument without adding the preposition de.
- The word avec actually means 'with this' at its core. It comes from a combination of the Latin words 'apud' and 'hoc', meaning 'near this' or 'at this'.
- If you were in certain parts of Normandy, you might hear a different way to say 'with'. The older word od was once the standard, and you can still find traces of it in the dialectal form 'd'od'.
Examples in context
- Joue avec moi.Play with me.This sentence is useful for a basic command.Tatoeba #6137625 by Selenyt, translation #6137478 by OsoHombre
- Allez, joue avec moi, j'm'ennuie trop !Come on, play with me, I'm so bored!This sentence shows how to express boredom while asking someone to play.Tatoeba #3495 by le_petit_ane_gris, translation #1676 by brauliobezerra
- Joue avec moi dans le jardin.Play with me in the garden.
Example conversation
Two children are in a playroom with toys.
- ManonLucas, joue avec moi !Lucas, play with me!
- LucasD'accord, à quoi on joue ?Okay, what are we playing?
- ManonOn fait des voitures.Let's play cars.
- LucasSuper idée !Great idea!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avec, joue, moi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
