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

JamesC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

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

In a sporting activity, why not use `jouer` instead of `faire`?
Asked 5 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
See if this page helps you: http://www.leaflanguages.org/french-grammar-the-verbs-jouer-vs-faire/
JamesC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
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.
JC1Kwiziq community member

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.”

JamesC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

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!

ModupeA2Kwiziq community member

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

GruffKwiziq team member

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!

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

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

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