A comprehensive guide explaining the difference between the French verbs “jouer” and “faire de” when talking about playing games or musical instruments, with examples and rules.
Understanding how to say “play” in French depends on context: use jouer for games and some instruments, and faire de for other instruments. This guide explains when and why to use each verb correctly.
Overview of Jouer and Faire de
jouer and faire de both translate to “play” in English, but they are used in different contexts:
- jouer means “to play” a game, sport, or certain musical instruments. It’s often followed by à (for games/sports) or no preposition (for some instruments).
- faire de means “to play” a musical instrument, especially those requiring producing sound by blowing or stringing. It’s always followed by de + the instrument.
When to Use Jouer
Use jouer in two main cases:
- Playing games or sports: jouer à + [game or sport]
- jouer au foot (play soccer)
- jouer aux échecs (play chess)
- jouer à la poupée (play with dolls)
- Playing certain musical instruments (mostly keyboard and percussion):
- jouer du piano (play piano)
- jouer de la batterie (play drums)
- jouer de l’orgue (play the organ)
When to Use Faire de
Use faire de only for musical instruments that you “do” rather than “play” in the traditional sense, especially:
- wind instruments: faire de la flûte, faire du saxophone, faire de la clarinette
- string instruments (in some cases): faire du violon, faire de la guitare (though “jouer de la guitare” is also common)
Is "faire de la guitare" correct in French?
Yes, but "jouer de la guitare" is also common
Both "faire de la guitare" and "jouer de la guitare" are used in French, although "jouer de la guitare" is more common.
Examples
Jouer (games/sports)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| jouer au football | play soccer |
| jouer aux cartes | play cards |
| jouer à la marelle | play hopscotch |
Jouer (instruments)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| jouer du piano | play piano |
| jouer de la batterie | play drums |
| jouer de l’orgue | play the organ |
Faire de (instruments)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| faire de la flûte | play the flute |
| faire du saxophone | play the saxophone |
| faire de la clarinette | play the clarinet |
Common Mistakes
- jouer de la flûte / ✅ faire de la flûte
(“faire de la flûte” is the correct idiom for flute)
- faire du piano / ✅ jouer du piano
(We always use “jouer” for piano)
- jouer à la guitare / ✅ jouer de la guitare (and sometimes “faire de la guitare”)
(Don’t use “à” with instruments — it’s “de”)
How should you say "play the guitar" in French?
jouer de la guitare
The correct expression is "jouer de la guitare". Do not use the preposition "à" with instruments.
Quick Reference
| Context | French Expression | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Play a game or sport | jouer à + [game/sport] | jouer au tennis |
| Play certain instruments (keyboard, percussion) | jouer de + [instrument] | jouer du piano |
| Play other instruments (especially wind) | faire de + [instrument] | faire de la flûte |
Understanding these key points will help you use “jouer” and “faire de” accurately when talking about playing in French.
Flashcards (1 of 12)
- English: play soccer
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
