Computer games (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Computer games
Gaming vocabulary
Understanding computer game terminology is essential for discussing technology and leisure activities in French. This vocabulary covers gaming equipment, actions, and related concerns about health and safety.
Learning gaming vocabulary in themed groups helps with retention and makes it easier to have natural conversations about technology and leisure activities.
Gaming equipment and technology
| French | English |
|---|---|
| la console (f) | games console |
| l'ordinateur portable (m) | laptop |
| la tablette (f) | tablet |
| l'écran (m) | screen |
| les écouteurs (mpl) | headphones |
| le jeu (m) | game |
| la vidéo (f) | video |
| le virus (m) | virus |
| télécharger | to download |
Exemple pratique: Using equipment vocabulary
Step 1: Identify the gaming setup
- J'ai une nouvelle console et elle est formidable. (I have a new console and it's great.)
Step 2: Describe actions with equipment
- Mon frère télécharge toujours des jeux sur sa tablette. (My brother always downloads games on his tablet.)
Gaming actions and participation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| jouer | to play |
| le joueur/la joueuse | player |
| gagner | to win |
| perdre | to lose |
| participer à | to take part in |
| le personnage (m) | character |
| le concours (m) | competition |
| s'amuser | to enjoy oneself |
| s'identifier à | to relate to |
These action verbs are particularly useful for expressing gaming experiences and outcomes. Notice how participer à requires the preposition "à" when discussing competitions.
Example sentences:
- Elle participe souvent aux concours en ligne. (She often takes part in online competitions.)
- Les joueurs s'identifient aux personnages principaux. (Players relate to the main characters.)
Health and safety concerns
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le loisir (m) | hobby |
| malsain(e) | unhealthy |
| la santé (f) | health |
| la sécurité (f) | security |
| le risque (m) | risk |
| la violence (f) | violence |
| le harcèlement (m) | bullying |
| limiter | to limit |
| nuire | to harm |
| virtuel(le) | virtual |
This vocabulary is frequently tested in exams as it allows discussion of both positive and negative aspects of gaming. Pay special attention to malsain(e) and nuire, which are key terms for expressing health concerns.
Example sentences:
- Jouer trop longtemps peut nuire à la santé. (Playing too long can harm your health.)
- Il faut limiter le temps devant l'écran. (You need to limit screen time.)
Grammar focus: -re verbs
Regular -re verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense. The verb perdre (to lose) is a useful example for gaming contexts.
Conjugation pattern
The Two-Step Rule for -re Verbs: To conjugate -re verbs in the present tense, you must follow this exact sequence:
- Remove the -re ending from the infinitive
- Add the appropriate present tense endings
Perdre (to lose) - present tense
Exemple travaillé: Conjugating perdre
Step 1: Remove the -re ending
- perdre → perd
Step 2: Add present tense endings
- je → perd + s = perds
- tu → perd + s = perds
- il/elle/on → perd + (nothing) = perd
- nous → perd + ons = perdons
- vous → perd + ez = perdez
- ils/elles → perd + ent = perdent
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | perds | I lose/am losing |
| tu | perds | you lose/are losing |
| il/elle/on | perd | he/she/one loses/is losing |
| nous | perdons | we lose/are losing |
| vous | perdez | you lose/are losing |
| ils/elles | perdent | they lose/are losing |
Example: Je perds souvent mes écouteurs quand je joue. (I often lose my headphones when I play.)
Perfect tense formation: Use perdu as the past participle with avoir: J'ai perdu la partie! (I lost the game!)
Reading comprehension example
Understanding texts about gaming habits helps you discuss technology's impact on daily life. Here's how to approach such texts strategically.
Reading Strategy: Look for key phrases that signal positive aspects (divertissement, développement des compétences) versus negative concerns (risques pour la santé, gestion du temps).
Key discussion points about gaming
- Positive aspects: Entertainment, social interaction, skill development
- Negative concerns: Health risks, time management, inappropriate content
- Balance: Setting limits and choosing suitable games
Common exam question types
The following question patterns appear frequently in French gaming-related texts:
- Comprehension questions: Why does someone enjoy/limit gaming?
- Opinion questions: What are the risks for young people?
- Personal response: Do you participate in online gaming? Why/why not?
Exam Success Tip: Always prepare to discuss both positive and negative aspects of gaming. Examiners look for balanced responses that show cultural awareness.
Exam practice
Translation exercise
Exemple travaillé: Translation practice
French to English:
- Tu aimes participer à des jeux en ligne?
- La violence dans les jeux vidéo inquiète les parents.
Step-by-step translation:
-
"Tu aimes" = Do you like, "participer à" = taking part in, "jeux en ligne" = online games Answer: Do you like taking part in online games?
-
"La violence" = Violence, "dans les jeux vidéo" = in video games, "inquiète" = worries, "les parents" = parents Answer: Violence in video games worries parents.
English to French: 3. I often win competitions on my console. 4. Screen time can be unhealthy for children.
Solutions avec explications:
-
"I often win" = Je gagne souvent, "competitions" = des concours, "on my console" = sur ma console Answer: Je gagne souvent des concours sur ma console.
-
"Screen time" = Le temps d'écran, "can be" = peut être, "unhealthy" = malsain, "for children" = pour les enfants Answer: Le temps d'écran peut être malsain pour les enfants.
Speaking preparation
Practice answering: "Tu aimes participer à des jeux en ligne? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?"
Speaking Strategy: Structure your response with a clear opinion, followed by reasons, and conclude with a balanced perspective.
Useful phrases:
- J'adore jouer parce que... (I love playing because...)
- Je limite le temps parce que... (I limit the time because...)
- Les jeux sont populaires mais... (Games are popular but...)
Points clés à retenir:
- Gaming vocabulary covers equipment, actions, and health concerns - learn these in themed groups for better retention
- -re verbs follow a simple two-step pattern: remove -re, add endings
- Perdre is particularly useful for gaming contexts and follows regular -re patterns
- Exam questions often focus on balancing gaming benefits with potential risks
- Speaking practice should include personal opinions about online participation and time limits
- Always prepare to discuss both positive and negative aspectsof gaming for balanced responses