juegan
“juegan” means “they play” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
they play
Also: you all play, they are playing
📝 In Action
Mis hijos juegan al fútbol todos los fines de semana.
A1My children play soccer every weekend.
¿Ustedes juegan cartas después de cenar?
A2Do you all play cards after dinner?
Ellas nunca juegan videojuegos, prefieren leer.
A1They never play video games; they prefer to read.
they gamble
Also: they bet
📝 In Action
Dicen que juegan mucho en las carreras de caballos.
B1They say they gamble a lot on the horse races.
Los inversores a veces juegan con fuego si no tienen cuidado.
B2Investors sometimes play with fire (take risks) if they are not careful.
they play a role
Also: they factor in
📝 In Action
Los factores climáticos juegan un papel importante en la economía agrícola.
B2Climatic factors play an important role in the agricultural economy.
Las emociones juegan en contra de la lógica en esta situación.
C1Emotions weigh against (or play against) logic in this situation.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: juegan
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'juegan' to mean 'to take risks'?
📚 More Resources
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *iocus*, which originally meant 'joke,' 'jest,' or 'a diversion.' Over time, it evolved in Spanish to mean 'to play' games or sports.
First recorded: Around the 10th-11th century (Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'juegan' used for sports but not for musical instruments?
In Spanish, 'jugar' is reserved for games, sports, or play activities. When you are talking about playing an instrument (like a guitar or piano), you must use the verb 'tocar' (which literally means 'to touch').
Does 'juegan' always mean 'they play'?
'Juegan' is the form used for 'ellos' (they), 'ellas' (they, feminine), and 'ustedes' (you all, formal). So, it can mean 'they play' or 'you all play,' depending on who you are addressing.