jeux vidéo
The English phrase "video games" is jeux vidéo in French.
You use jeux vidéo to refer to video games. In slang, the phrase can be shortened to les JV. If you are describing someone who plays video games passionately, you can use the term un gamer.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of jeux (games) and vidéo (video).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word vidéo remains invariable and does not take an s even when jeux is plural. When using the verb jouer à (to play) with this phrase, you must use the contraction aux (à + les) because jouer requires the preposition à for games, as seen in aux jeux vidéo.
Did you know?
- The word vidéo is a 'borrowing' from English that entered the French language to describe technology, even though its roots trace back to the Latin 'videō', meaning 'I see'.
- While gamer is common, some French purists and government bodies prefer the term joueur to avoid using English loanwords.
- France has a specific legal classification system called PEGI for jeux vidéo, which dictates age ratings across most of Europe.
Examples in context
- Je joue aux jeux vidéo.I play video games.This sentence is useful for stating that you play jeux vidéo.Tatoeba #7014 by sysko, translation #255110 by CK
- Je joue à des jeux vidéo.I am playing video games.This sentence is useful for stating that you are playing jeux vidéo.Tatoeba #2049611 by sacredceltic, translation #639363 by ulyssemc1
- Je ne joue plus aux jeux vidéo.I don't play video games anymore.Tatoeba #12467035 by lbdx, translation #5930375 by mailohilohi
- Les jeux vidéo sont très populaires dans le monde entier.Video games are very popular worldwide.
- Mon cousin travaille dans l'industrie des jeux vidéo.My cousin works in the video game industry.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are talking in a living room.
- LéaTu aimes les jeux vidéo ?Do you like video games?
- HugoOui, j'adore les jeux vidéo.Yes, I love video games.
- LéaQuel est ton jeu préféré ?What is your favorite game?
- HugoJe ne sais pas encore.I don't know yet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vidéo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
