juegas
/HWEH-gahs/
you play
When you say juegas, you might be talking about a child who plays with blocks.
juegas(verb)
you play
?(present tense, singular informal)
,you are playing
?(present continuous equivalent)
do you play?
?(when used as a question)
📝 In Action
¿A qué juegas en tu tiempo libre?
A1What do you play (or what games do you play) in your free time?
Si juegas bien, podemos ganar el partido.
A2If you play well, we can win the game.
Sé que juegas muy bien al ajedrez.
A2I know that you play chess very well.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'jugar a'
When talking about specific games or sports, 'jugar' usually needs the preposition 'a' (to) right before the game: 'Juegas al tenis' (You play tennis).
The Stem-Change
The 'u' inside the word changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms, like in 'juegas'. Remember that 'nosotros' (jugamos) and 'vosotros' (jugáis) are the exceptions and keep the 'u'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Jugar' and 'Tocar'
Mistake: "Using 'tocar' for sports (e.g., *tú tocas fútbol*)."
Correction: Use 'jugar' for games and sports ('tú juegas fútbol') and 'tocar' for musical instruments or touching objects.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking About Hobbies
This is a perfect word for getting to know people! Start with '¿Qué juegas?' to ask what games or sports they like.
If the context is betting money, juegas means you gamble.
juegas(verb)
you gamble
?betting money
,you bet
?wagering
you take a risk
?figurative sense of being careless
📝 In Action
¿Juegas mucho en el casino?
B1Do you gamble a lot at the casino?
Juegas con fuego si sigues mintiendo.
B2You are playing with fire (taking a big risk) if you keep lying.
Me pregunto cuánto dinero juegas cada semana.
B1I wonder how much money you bet every week.
💡 Grammar Points
Jugar con...
When 'jugar' means to mess around or take risks, it is usually followed by the preposition 'con' (with): 'Juegas con mi paciencia' (You are playing with my patience).
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Warning
The phrase 'jugar con fuego' (to play with fire) is a very common way to warn someone they are doing something dangerous or reckless.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: juegas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'juegas' in its figurative sense (meaning 'to risk or gamble')?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If I want to ask someone, 'Are you playing right now?' should I use 'juegas'?
Yes! In Spanish, the simple present tense ('tú juegas') is often used to mean both 'you play' (habitually) and 'you are playing' (right now). So, '¿Juegas ahora?' is perfectly natural.
Is 'juegas' formal or informal?
'Juegas' uses the 'tú' form, which is the informal way to address one person (like a friend, family member, or child). If you need to be formal or address an elder, you would use 'usted juega'.