Meaning
To make music using a musical instrument.
Cultural Background
The 'Fête de la Musique' on June 21st is a national event where everyone who plays an instrument performs for free in public spaces. Traditional 'musique trad' often features the violin (le violon) and 'podorythmie' (foot tapping while playing). Instruments like the Kora and Balafon are central to the 'griot' tradition of storytelling and history-keeping. Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was Belgian. Playing the saxophone is a point of national pride.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember that 'de' + 'le' = 'du'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
No 'À' for Music
If you say 'Je joue au violon', people will understand, but it sounds like you are playing a game with the violin instead of making music.
Meaning
To make music using a musical instrument.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember that 'de' + 'le' = 'du'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
No 'À' for Music
If you say 'Je joue au violon', people will understand, but it sounds like you are playing a game with the violin instead of making music.
Use 'Faire' for Hobbies
If you want to sound more like a native speaker in a casual setting, use 'Je fais du piano'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form (du, de la, de l', des).
Elle joue ___ guitare.
Guitare is a feminine noun, so we use 'de la'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I play the piano'?
'Jouer' + 'de' + 'le' becomes 'du'.
Match the instrument with the correct article.
1. Violon, 2. Flûte, 3. Accordéon, 4. Percussions
Violon (m), Flûte (f), Accordéon (vowel), Percussions (pl).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu joues d'un instrument ? B: Oui, je joue ___ saxophone.
Saxophone is masculine.
Match the phrase to the context.
1. Jouer au tennis, 2. Jouer du violon
'À' is for sports, 'De' is for music.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Instrument Genders
Masculin (du)
- • piano
- • violon
- • saxophone
- • violoncelle
Féminin (de la)
- • guitare
- • flûte
- • batterie
- • trompette
Practice Bank
5 exercisesElle joue ___ guitare.
Guitare is a feminine noun, so we use 'de la'.
How do you say 'I play the piano'?
'Jouer' + 'de' + 'le' becomes 'du'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Violon (m), Flûte (f), Accordéon (vowel), Percussions (pl).
A: Tu joues d'un instrument ? B: Oui, je joue ___ saxophone.
Saxophone is masculine.
1. Jouer au tennis, 2. Jouer du violon
'À' is for sports, 'De' is for music.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsFrench uses the partitive 'de' to indicate that you are playing 'some' music from the instrument, or that the instrument is the source of the sound.
No, for singing you use 'chanter'. You don't 'play' your voice in French.
It is always 'jouer du piano'. 'Jouer au' is for sports like 'jouer au foot'.
You say 'Je joue de la batterie'. 'Batterie' is feminine.
You can say 'Je joue de plusieurs instruments' or 'Je joue du piano et de la guitare'.
Yes, 'Je joue du piano' becomes 'Je ne joue pas de piano'. The 'du' changes to 'de'.
Yes, that is a very common and correct way to say 'to play music' in general.
'Jouer' is general and common. 'Pratiquer' is more formal and implies regular study or professional work.
You say 'De quel instrument joues-tu ?' or 'Tu joues de quel instrument ?'
Yes, if the instrument starts with a vowel, like 'l'accordéon' or 'l'orgue'.
Related Phrases
Faire de la musique
similarTo make music
Jouer à un jeu
contrastTo play a game
Pratiquer un instrument
specialized formTo practice/study an instrument
Accorder un instrument
builds onTo tune an instrument
