jugada
“jugada” means “move” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
move, play
Also: turn
📝 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.
maneuver, scheme
Also: trick
📝 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.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: jugada
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'jugada' in its figurative sense (meaning a scheme or strategy)?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'jugada' is the feminine noun form derived directly from the verb 'jugar' (to play). 'Jugar' traces back to the Latin word *iocus*, which originally meant 'joke' or 'jest,' but evolved in Spanish to mean 'game' or 'play.'
First recorded: Medieval period (as a form of *jugar*).
Cognates (Related words)
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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).