hockey
OH-keh
π In Action
El hockey sobre hielo es un deporte muy rΓ‘pido y emocionante.
B1Ice hockey is a very fast and exciting sport.
Mi primo juega al hockey en el equipo del colegio.
A2My cousin plays hockey on the school team.
Para jugar al hockey necesitas un palo y un disco o una pelota.
B1To play hockey you need a stick and a puck or a ball.
π‘ Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it is a foreign word, 'hockey' is always used with the masculine article 'el' (el hockey).
The 'A' Before Sports
When talking about playing a sport, Spanish often uses the preposition 'a' (to) with the verb 'jugar': 'Jugar al hockey' (to play hockey).
β Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "La hockey es mi deporte favorito."
Correction: El hockey es mi deporte favorito. Remember to use 'el' (the masculine article).
β Usage Tips
Specifying the Type
To clarify which type you mean, add 'sobre hielo' (on ice) or 'sobre hierba' (on grass/field) after the word.
βοΈ Quick Practice
π‘ Quick Quiz: hockey
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the Spanish word 'hockey'?
π More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to specify 'sobre hielo' or 'sobre hierba' every time I use 'hockey'?
Not usually! If you are in a country where one version is clearly dominant (like ice hockey in Canada or field hockey in Argentina), the context is usually clear. Only specify if there is a risk of confusion.
Why is the initial 'h' sometimes pronounced like a Spanish 'j' (like the English 'h') and sometimes silent?
Since 'hockey' is a foreign word, its pronunciation varies greatly. In some regions, the 'h' is pronounced strongly, similar to a Spanish 'j' sound. In other regions, particularly in Latin America, the 'h' is often ignored, and the word sounds more like 'O-key'.