French · Everyday Verbs
"to play" in French: jouer
jouer
To play in French is jouer. Je joue means I play. Use jouer à for games and sports, and jouer de for instruments: jouer au foot, jouer du piano.
Park
Les enfants jouent au ballon dehors.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce jouer
Say it
zhoo-AY
/ʒwe/
zhoo-AY. Soft j (zh); ou like oo; final er like ay. Je joue: zhuh zhoo.
"to play" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| jouer | to play Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je joue / tu joues | I play / you play Present. | Present. |
| jouer à… | to play (a game/sport) Jouer au tennis. | Jouer au tennis. |
| jouer de… | to play (an instrument) Jouer de la guitare. | Jouer de la guitare. |
| joué | played Past participle with avoir. | Past participle with avoir. |
How to use jouer in real life
- 1Park
Les enfants jouent au ballon dehors.
The kids are playing ball outside.
Jouent + à.
- 2Evening plans
Tu joues aux cartes avec nous ?
Are you playing cards with us?
Tu joues.
- 3Music
Elle joue du violon depuis dix ans.
She has played violin for ten years.
Jouer de + instrument.
Mistakes English speakers make with jouer
Incorrect: Je joue piano.
Correct: Je joue du piano.
Instruments need de + article: du / de la / de l'.
Incorrect: Je joue foot.
Correct: Je joue au foot.
Sports/games usually take à: jouer au foot.
Good to know
Kids say on joue ? to start a game. Adults jouer en ligne for gaming. Jouer un rôle is to play a role, not a sport.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing an activity
ChatPal
Tu joues au tennis demain ?
Are you playing tennis tomorrow?
You
Oui, je joue à dix heures.
Yes, I play at ten.
ChatPal
Super, je viens te voir.
Great, I'll come watch.
You
Parfait, court numéro deux.
Perfect — court number two.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to play" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to play" in French
How do you say to play in French?
Jouer.
Jouer à or jouer de?
À for games/sports; de for instruments.
How do you say I play?
Je joue.
How do you pronounce jouer?
zhoo-AY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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