jouer
/ʒwe/
To play in French is jouer.
The verb jouer is used to describe engaging in an activity for enjoyment or performing music on an instrument.
Which one should you use?
The way you use the verb depends on whether you are playing a sport or an instrument. You use jouer à when referring to games or sports, but you must use jouer de when referring to musical instruments.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you play a game or a sport, the verb is followed by the preposition à combined with a definite article (au, à la, à l' or aux).
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒwe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use jouer le to say they play a musical instrument. In French, you must use jouer de instead.
Did you know?
- The verb jouer shares its roots with the English word 'joke', as both stem from the Latin 'iocārī' meaning to jest or play.
- In a casino, the person who manages the game is called a croupier, but the act of gambling is described using jouer.
- The phrase jouer la comédie doesn't just mean acting in a play, but can mean that someone is being fake or dramatic in real life.
Examples in context
- Tu veux jouer ?Do you want to play?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to play with the form jouer.Tatoeba #8666754 by Micsmithel, translation #2011467 by CK
- Le chien veut jouer.The dog wants to play.This sentence is useful for describing a dog that wants to play with the form jouer.Tatoeba #8681814 by Julien_PDC, translation #10217074 by shekitten
- J'aime jouer au golf.I like to play golf.This sentence is useful for expressing a liking for playing golf with the form jouer.Tatoeba #389535 by trotter, translation #56352 by CK
- Jouer à la pétanque.Playing pétanque.
- Jouer au football.Playing soccer.
- Jouer à l'extérieur.Playing outside.
- Faire une partie de cartes.Playing a card game.
- Je joue au tennis.I play tennis.
- Jouer à la console.Playing video games.
- Je joue de la musique.I play music.
- Jouons au tennis cet après-midi!Let's play tennis this afternoon!
- Je veux jouer aux échecs.I want to play chess.
- Elle fait du théâtre depuis cinq ans.She has been doing theater for five years.
- 428 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing music at home.
- GabrielChloé, tu veux jouer du piano ?Chloé, do you want to play the piano?
- ChloéOui, je peux jouer un morceau.Yes, I can play a piece.
- GabrielC'est super, je vais t'écouter.That's great, I'm going to listen to you.
- ChloéMerci, Gabriel !Thanks, Gabriel!
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.
