jouer
/ʒwe/
To say playing in French, use jouer. It covers playing games, sports and musical instruments.
jouer is the verb for to play. English playing after I like becomes jouer, as in J'aime jouer au golf.
Which one should you use?
In formal contexts pratiquer can be used for doing a sport or physical activity.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a game or sport, use jouer à, as in jouer au football or jouer aux échecs. For a musical instrument, use jouer de. The preposition combines with the article, giving forms like au and du.
How do you pronounce it?
jouer is pronounced /ʒwe/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the same preposition for games and instruments. Say jouer au football for a sport but jouer de for an instrument.
Did you know?
- The verb jouer shares its roots with the English word 'joke', as both stem from the Latin 'iocārī', meaning to make fun of or play.
- If you say you are 'playing' a person in French, using jouer avec someone, it can imply you are manipulating or teasing them rather than just playing a game.
- The verb jouer is the root of the French word joueur, meaning player. In a gambling context, a joueur is specifically a gambler, highlighting a historical cultural connection between playing games and risking money.
Examples in context
- J'aime jouer au golf.I like playing golf.au golf is used because golf is a sport.Tatoeba #389535 by trotter, translation #253770 by CK
- Tom continua à jouer.Tom continued playing.continua à jouer means continued playing.Tatoeba #9311723 by Micsmithel, translation #2236178 by CK
- J'aime jouer du piano.I like playing the piano.du piano is used because the piano is an instrument.Tatoeba #6942 by sysko, translation #255455 by CK
- Je joue au football le samedi matin.I play football on Saturday mornings.
- Elle joue du piano avec talent.She plays the piano with talent.
- Nous pratiquons le tennis chaque semaine.We play tennis every week.
- Elles s'amusent à jouer aux cartes.They are having fun playing cards.
- Je joue au football avec mes amis.I play football with my friends.
- Elle joue aux échecs tous les soirs.She plays chess every evening.
- 325 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking in a park about their hobbies.
- EmmaTu veux jouer au foot avec nous ?Do you want to play football with us?
- NathanNon, je préfère jouer aux cartes.No, I prefer playing cards.
- EmmaD'accord, Nathan, on va jouer aux cartes alors.Okay, Nathan, we will play cards then.
- NathanC'est une super idée.That is a great idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry jouer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jouer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
