jouer à des jeux
The English phrase "playing games" is translated into French as jouer à des jeux.
This phrase describes the act of engaging in games or sports for entertainment. The verb jouer is the most common way to express the concept of playing in French. In colloquial speech, you might also hear faire des parties, which specifically refers to playing rounds or matches.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of jouer (to play), à (at/to), des (some/plural indefinite article) and jeux (games).
Which one should you use?
The form jouer à des jeux is used when referring to multiple games, whereas you should use the singular form jouer à un jeu if you are playing only one game.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use the verb jouer to refer to playing a game or a sport, it must be followed by the preposition à.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid the common mistake of omitting the preposition à. Do not say jouer des jeux, as the correct construction is jouer à des jeux.
Did you know?
- While jouer à des jeux is literal, French speakers use the phrase faire le jeu de quelqu'un to mean 'playing into someone's hands'.
- The verb jouer shares its DNA with the English word 'joke'. Both stem from the Latin 'iocārī', which means to jest or to play around.
- While jouer à des jeux refers to entertainment, using jouer with a person as the object, such as jouer avec quelqu'un, can imply manipulating them or 'playing games' with their emotions.
Examples in context
- Ce week-end, on va jouer à des jeux vidéo ensemble.This weekend, we're going to play video games together.
- On fait des parties de cartes tous les soirs.We play card games every evening.
- Ils aiment jouer à des jeux de société.They like playing board games.
- Jouer à des jeux vidéo est ma passion.Playing video games is my passion.
- On peut jouer à des jeux de cartes ici.We can play card games here.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are discussing their hobbies.
- ChloéQu'est-ce que tu fais le weekend ?What do you do on the weekend?
- GabrielJ'aime jouer à des jeux avec mes amis.I like playing games with my friends.
- ChloéMoi aussi, c'est super amusant !Me too, it's great fun!
- GabrielTu veux essayer un nouveau jeu ?Do you want to try a new game?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, jouer, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
