What does it mean word for word?
The phrase envie de jouer is a shortened version of avoir envie de jouer, which literally translates to "to have the desire to play".
Which one should you use?
While vouloir jouer expresses a direct desire or volition to play, envie de jouer expresses a feeling of inclination or a whim.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual, spoken French, it is common to drop the subject and the verb to simply say Envie de jouer ? For more formal situations, you can use Je voudrais jouer to say "I would like to play" or J'aimerais jouer to say "I would love to play". The expression J'ai envie de jouer is used in informal contexts to mean "I feel like playing".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you specify a particular game, you must use the preposition à (which contracts with the article) after the verb jouer, such as in jouer au foot or jouer aux cartes.
Did you know?
- The word envie comes from the Latin invidia, which originally meant 'glaring' or 'looking upon' someone with jealousy.
- In French, you use the verb jouer both for playing a game and for playing a musical instrument. However, the preposition changes from à for games to de for instruments.
- While envie de jouer sounds like a simple wish, the word envie can also mean 'envy' or 'jealousy' depending on the context of the sentence.
Examples in context
- Envie de jouer à un jeu ?Want to play a game?This example shows how to use envie de jouer to ask if someone wants to play a game.Tatoeba #6603375 by GB3, translation #6602088 by Eccles17
- Envie de jouer aux dames ?Want to play checkers?This example demonstrates using envie de jouer when proposing a specific game of checkers.Tatoeba #6885473 by GB3, translation #6583510 by Eccles17
- Je n'ai pas envie de jouer au golf.I don't want to play golf.This example shows how to use the negative form of envie de jouer to express that you do not want to play golf.Tatoeba #5402364 by Aiji, translation #5218425 by CK
- Excusez-moi, je voudrais jouer avec vous.Excuse me, I would like to play with you.
- J'aimerais jouer au tennis avec vous.I would love to play tennis with you.
- Tu veux jouer au football?Do you want to play soccer?
- Oui, je veux jouer!Yes, I want to play!
- J'ai envie de jouer aux jeux vidéo.I feel like playing video games.
- J'ai envie de jouer au tennis.I have the desire to play tennis.
- Je veux vraiment jouer!I really want to play!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are sitting in a park during a break.
- NathanLéa, tu as envie de jouer au football ?Léa, do you want to play football?
- LéaPas maintenant, je suis trop fatiguée.Not now, I am too tired.
- NathanDommage, j'avais vraiment envie de jouer avec toi.Too bad, I really wanted to play with you.
- LéaOn peut jouer demain sans problème.We can play tomorrow without any problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, envie, jouer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
