jugada
/hoo-GAH-dah/
move
Making a strategic move (jugada) on the board.
jugada(noun)
move
?in a board game or chess
,play
?in sports like soccer or basketball
turn
?as in 'whose turn it is'
📝 In Action
Fue una jugada brillante del delantero, por eso metió el gol.
A2It was a brilliant play by the forward, that's why he scored the goal.
Ahora te toca a ti. ¿Cuál es tu próxima jugada?
A1Now it's your turn. What is your next move?
El entrenador diseñó una jugada secreta para el último cuarto.
B1The coach designed a secret play for the last quarter.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though 'jugada' comes from the verb 'jugar,' it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use in Games
Use 'jugada' specifically for the action taken in a structured game or sport, not for general actions in life (unless speaking figuratively).
Executing a precise aerial maneuver (jugada).
jugada(noun)
maneuver
?a calculated or strategic action
,scheme
?a clever plan, often with a slightly negative connotation
trick
?a surprising or deceitful action
📝 In Action
La compra de la empresa fue una jugada financiera muy arriesgada.
B2The purchase of the company was a very risky financial maneuver.
No sé si fue suerte o si fue una jugada maestra de su parte.
B1I don't know if it was luck or if it was a master stroke (masterful move) on his part.
Descubrieron la jugada política que planeaban los opositores.
C1They discovered the political scheme the opponents were planning.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this context, 'jugada' means that someone is 'playing' a strategic role in real life, treating the situation like a game of strategy.
⭐ Usage Tips
Connotation
When used for a scheme or trick, 'jugada' can sometimes imply a slightly negative or manipulative action, especially when combined with adjectives like 'sucia' (dirty).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: jugada
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'jugada' in its figurative sense (meaning a scheme or strategy)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'jugada' different from 'juego'?
'Juego' (game) is the overall activity or the object (like a board game set). 'Jugada' (move/play) is a single specific action taken within that activity.
Can 'jugada' be used to talk about music or theater?
Not usually. For music, you might use 'interpretación' (performance). 'Jugada' is almost exclusively reserved for competitive activities (sports, games) or strategic, life-like 'games' (business, politics).