joueur
/ʒwœʁ/
The English word "playful" is translated into French as joueur.
Joueur is used to describe a person or animal that has a playful temperament. Note that while it describes a playful personality, it is also the standard French noun for a "player".
Meaning: fun, recreational, not serious (adj)
Which one should you use?
While joueur describes a playful temperament, other words may be more specific. For example, use taquin for someone who likes to tease and playfully provoke others or farceur for someone who is funny and playful.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes based on gender and number: joueur is the masculine singular, joueuse is the feminine singular, joueurs is the masculine plural and joueuses is the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒwœʁ/
Did you know?
- The adjective joueur can be used to describe a 'gambling' personality, where it implies a person is a risk-taker rather than someone who is whimsical or fun.
- The adjective joueur shares a root with jouet, the French word for 'toy', linking the personality trait directly to the object used for play.
- The noun form of joueur, which means 'player', is also used in French to describe a person who is 'gambling' or 'gaming' in a casino.
Examples in context
- Les furets sont joueurs et curieux.Ferrets are playful and curious.This sentence shows the use of joueur to describe the temperament of ferrets.Tatoeba #2329560 by sacredceltic, translation #2327247 by Hybrid
- Les dauphins sont des animaux joueurs.Dolphins are playful animals.This sentence uses joueurs to describe dolphins as playful animals.Tatoeba #6822121 by Yemana, translation #6079883 by Hybrid
- Le nouveau programme d'apprentissage est à la fois ludique et éducatif.The new learning program is both playful and educational.
- Marie est connue pour son esprit facétieux.Marie is known for her playful spirit.
- Le journaliste se montrait particulièrement badin lors de l'interview.The journalist was particularly playful during the interview.
- Pierre est de nature taquine et aime bien embêter ses amis.Pierre is playfully natured and enjoys teasing his friends.
- Mon frère est vraiment farceur, il rend chaque moment agréable.My brother is really playful, he makes every moment enjoyable.
- Ce petit chaton est très joueur.This little kitten is very playful.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are watching a puppy in a park.
- LéaRegarde comme ce chien est joueur !Look how playful this dog is!
- NathanOui, il est vraiment très mignon.Yes, he is really very cute.
- LéaIl a l'air d'aimer courir.He looks like he loves running.
- NathanIl est très actif aujourd'hui.He is very active today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry joueur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
