Inklingo

fútbol

FOO-tohl/ˈfuðbol/

fútbol means soccer in Spanish (The sport played with a round ball where players primarily use their feet.).

soccer, football

NounmA1
Mexico & Central AmericaSpainPuerto Rico
A close-up view of a black and white soccer ball being forcefully kicked by a player wearing a cleated soccer shoe on a vibrant green grass field.

📝 In Action

¿Vamos a ver el partido de fútbol esta noche?

A1

Shall we go watch the soccer match tonight?

Mi hermano juega al fútbol todos los sábados.

A2

My brother plays soccer every Saturday.

El fútbol es el deporte más popular en casi toda Latinoamérica.

B1

Soccer is the most popular sport in almost all of Latin America.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • balompié (football/soccer (formal))

Common Collocations

  • jugar al fútbolto play soccer/football
  • partido de fútbolsoccer match/game
  • equipo de fútbolsoccer team

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un golazoTo be a great success or a brilliant move (literally: to be a great goal)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "fútbol" in Spanish:

footballsoccer

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fútbol

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase is the most natural way to say 'I play soccer' in standard Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
futbolista(soccer player)Noun
futbito(futsal / small-sided soccer)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
béisbolalcohol
📚 Etymology

This word is a direct borrowing from the English term 'football'. The spelling and the accent mark were added to ensure the stress falls correctly on the first syllable, following Spanish pronunciation rules.

First recorded: Late 19th or early 20th century, coinciding with the global spread of the sport from Britain.

Cognates (Related words)

English: footballPortuguese: futebol

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'fútbol' masculine or feminine?

'Fútbol' is a masculine noun. You always say 'el fútbol' (the soccer) or 'un partido de fútbol' (a soccer match).

How do I talk about American Football using this word?

To talk about the specific sport played in the US (with the oval ball), you must add 'americano' to clarify: 'fútbol americano'.