Join Discordjouer
play (a game, sport) / take part in a game
On va jouer au foot cet après‑midi ?
Are we going to play soccer this afternoon?
play (a musical instrument)
play (a recorded track / start playback)
Elle joue du piano depuis dix ans.
She has been playing the piano for ten years.
act, perform (a role in a play, film, series)
Elle joue très bien dans cette série.
She acts really well in that series.
gamble, bet (play with money or stakes)
Il a joué 50 € au poker hier soir.
He gambled €50 at poker last night.
use or exploit (a quality, situation, or resource)
toy with / manipulate (someone)
Elle joue de son charme pour obtenir ce qu'elle veut.
She uses her charm to get what she wants.
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Jouer means "to play".
USAGE
It's used with *à* for games/sports (*jouer au foot* - to play soccer) and with *de* for instruments (*jouer du piano* - to play the piano).
It can also mean "to play a role" (*jouer un rôle*) or just "to play" generally (e.g., *les enfants jouent* - the children are playing).
CONJUGATION - 1st Group
Je joue
Tu joues
Il/elle/on joue
Nous jouons
Vous jouez
Ils/elles jouent
TRAPS
Don't confuse *jouer à* (for sports/games) with *jouer de* (for musical instruments).
The choice of preposition is crucial and a common learner mistake.