tu veux jouer
The English phrase "wanna play" can be translated into French as tu veux jouer.
Tu veux jouer is used to ask if someone would like to engage in a game or an activity. In spoken French, this question is often formed simply by using a rising intonation at the end of the sentence, rather than using a formal question structure like Est-ce que tu veux jouer ?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject tu (you), the conjugated verb veux (want) and the infinitive jouer (to play).
Which one should you use?
Tu veux jouer is the informal way to ask the question. To be more polite or to address a group of people, you should use vous voulez jouer instead. Another informal option is On joue ?, which translates to "We play?" and is used to suggest playing.
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying the particular game or sport being played, you must add the preposition à after the verb jouer (for example, jouer au foot or jouer à la carte).
Did you know?
- The verb jouer is related to the Latin word iocārī, which originally meant 'to jest' or 'to joke'.
- While tu veux jouer is common, French speakers often use the phrase faire une partie to suggest playing a specific round or match of a game.
- If you are playing a board game or a sport, you must use the preposition à, but if you are playing a musical instrument, you use the preposition de.
Examples in context
- Ah ouais ? Tu veux jouer à ça ? Commence pas à me chauffer ça pourrait mal se finir !Oh yeah? Wanna play this game? Don't get me started or it could all end up badly.This example shows how to use tu veux jouer when referring to a specific game.Tatoeba #657298 by sysko, translation #657306 by qdii
- Excusez-moi, voulez-vous jouer au tennis avec moi s'il vous plaît ?Excuse me, do you want to play tennis with me, please?
- Salut Marie, tu veux jouer au basket avec nous cet après-midi ?Hi Marie, do you want to play basketball with us this afternoon?
- Tous les enfants du quartier sont réunis au parc, on joue ?All the kids from the neighborhood are gathering at the park, wanna play?
- Tu veux jouer au foot avec nous ?Wanna play soccer with us?
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are in a room with a board game.
- NathanRegarde ce jeu, tu veux jouer ?Look at this game, do you want to play?
- EmmaOui, ça a l'air super !Yes, it looks great!
- NathanSuper, je vais préparer le plateau.Great, I'll set up the board.
- EmmaD'accord, je cherche les pions.Okay, I'll look for the pieces.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jouer, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
