French Phrase
Les invités peuvent se faire des parties de cartes.
Meaning
The sentence means that the guests are allowed to organize or play card games. It conveys permission and the idea that the activity is optional and can be arranged by the guests themselves.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are hosting a gathering, a dinner, or a party and want to let your guests know they are welcome to set up card games. It works well in informal or semi‑formal social contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lesinvitéspeuventsefairedespartiesdecartes
Les (definite article, plural)
Used before a plural noun to indicate 'the' in English.
invités (noun, plural)
Means 'guests'; agrees in number with the article.
peuvent (verb pouvoir, 3rd pl.)
Present tense of 'can' or 'to be able to' for a plural subject.
se faire (pronominal verb)
Literally 'to make oneself', used idiomatically to mean 'to have/arrange' an activity.
des (partitive article)
Introduces an indefinite plural noun phrase, similar to 'some' in English.
parties de cartes (noun phrase)
Literally 'card parties', i.e., sessions of playing cards.
🗨In Conversation
Nous avons prévu un buffet, mais les invités peuvent se faire des parties de cartes si ils le souhaitent.
We have prepared a buffet, but the guests can have card games if they wish.
Parfait, j'apporterai un jeu de belote.
Great, I'll bring a belote deck.
✕Common Mistakes
Les invités peut se faire des parties de cartes.
The verb must agree with the plural subject "les invités"; use "peuvent".
Les invités peuvent faire des parties de cartes.
Without the reflexive "se", the phrase sounds unnatural; you need "se faire" to express that the guests arrange the activity themselves.
Les invités peuvent jouer des cartes.
The correct preposition after "jouer" is "aux", not "des".
↔Alternatives
Les invités peuvent jouer aux cartes.
The guests can play cards.
Les invités sont libres d'organiser des parties de cartes.
The guests are free to organize card games.
Les invités peuvent se divertir avec des jeux de cartes.
The guests can entertain themselves with card games.
Cultural Tip
Playing cards is a classic pastime in French homes, especially games like Belote, Tarot, and Rami. It’s common to set up a small table with a deck and let guests mingle while they play. The phrase "se faire des parties de cartes" is informal; in more formal settings you might say "organiser des parties de cartes" or simply "jouer aux cartes".