In a sporting activity, why not use `jouer` instead of `faire`?

Question

Chris Wirt · Answer

See if this page helps you: http://www.leaflanguages.org/french-grammar-the-verbs-jouer-vs-faire/

James Hunt · Answer

Thank you Chris. Unfortunately the link that you sent me contradicts the tutorial. Jouer is used for football(in the link), but faire is used above.

J Bakker · Answer

Hi James, this link ( https://www.francaisfacile.com/forum/lire.php?num=7&msg=77347&titre=Faire+du+tennis+et+jouer+au+tennis ) suggests that it may be a bit of a connotation thing. Jouer au foot means to play, which is more for fun, faire du foot is more like “training?” (I looked this up, because I was sure that one used “au tennis, au foot” - but apparently that’s just when it’s conjugated with “jouer,” - and for “faire” it’s du tennis, du foot. Go figure.)

They also say that faire would more be naturally used for sports in contexts where you’re listing, say, a bunch of hobbies all of which you “do” but not all of which you “play.”

James Hunt · Answer

Thank you for the reasoning, which seems very nebulous! I`m certain a French person would know what I meant, but getting marked incorrect in a test spoils my day!

Modupe Ade-Onojobi · Answer

Thanks J,  this is  very helpful. Was confused initially.

Gruff Davies · Answer

There's a Kwiziq lesson to help you learn and practise whether to use jouer or faire with sports, games and hobbies:

Faire de/jouer à : talking about sports, hobbies and leisure activities in French

Hope that's helpful!