Inklingo

How to Say "clubs" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “clubs” is “palos” — use 'palos' when referring to the 'clubs' suit in a Spanish deck of cards, or for general sticks like those used in golf or for a bonfire..

English → Spanish

palos

/PAH-lohs//ˈpalos/

nounA1/B2general
Use 'palos' when referring to the 'clubs' suit in a Spanish deck of cards, or for general sticks like those used in golf or for a bonfire.
Several simple brown wooden sticks of varying lengths scattered on a patch of dirt.

Examples

Necesitas tres cartas del mismo palo para ganar.

You need three cards of the same suit to win.

Recogimos muchos palos para hacer una fogata.

We collected many sticks to make a bonfire.

Los palos de la bandera eran de metal.

The flag poles were made of metal.

¿Qué palo es el triunfo en este juego?

Which suit is the trump in this game?

Plural Noun Rule

Since the singular noun 'palo' ends in a vowel, the plural is formed simply by adding '-s'.

Singular vs. Plural

Mistake: “Using 'palos' when referring to a single suit.”

Correction: Use the singular 'palo' when referring to one type of suit (e.g., 'el palo de copas'). Use 'palos' when referring to the concept of suits generally (e.g., 'los cuatro palos').

clubes

/kloo-behs//ˈklubes/

nounA2general
Use 'clubes' to refer to a group or association of people, such as a book club or a social club.
A group of diverse people sitting together in a cozy circle, sharing a common interest.

Examples

Los clubes de lectura son muy populares en este barrio.

Reading clubs are very popular in this neighborhood.

Esta ciudad tiene los mejores clubes nocturnos del país.

This city has the best nightclubs in the country.

Muchos clubes de fútbol están buscando nuevos jugadores.

Many football clubs are looking for new players.

Making 'Club' Plural

In Spanish, words that end in a consonant usually add '-es' to become plural. Since 'club' ends in 'b', it becomes 'clubes'.

Clubs vs. Clubes

Mistake: “Using 'los clubs'.”

Correction: Use 'los clubes'. While 'clubs' is common in English and sometimes seen in informal Spanish, 'clubes' is the correct and preferred form in Spanish.

bates

/BAH-tehs//ˈbates/

nounA2general
Use 'bates' for heavy sticks used as tools or weapons, most commonly for baseball bats.
A collection of wooden and aluminum baseball bats leaning against a green fence.

Examples

Los jugadores de béisbol trajeron sus propios bates.

The baseball players brought their own bats.

Hay bates de madera y bates de aluminio.

There are wooden bats and aluminum bats.

Plural Nouns

This is the plural form of 'bate.' In Spanish, if a word ends in a vowel, you just add '-s' to make it plural.

The Animal 'Bat'

Mistake: “Using 'bates' to talk about the flying animal.”

Correction: In Spanish, the animal is called 'murciélago.' 'Bate' only refers to the sports stick.

discos

DEES-kohs/ˈdis.kos/

nounB1informal
Use 'discos' when referring to a place for dancing, like a nightclub or discotheque.
Two stylized figures dancing energetically under bright, multicolored spotlights in a dark room, symbolizing a nightclub.

Examples

¿Vamos a los discos después de cenar?

Shall we go to the clubs after dinner?

Los discos en esa zona cierran muy tarde.

The nightclubs in that area close very late.

espada

/es-PAH-dah//esˈpaða/

nounB1card games
Use 'espada' for the 'clubs' suit in a French-style deck of cards, though 'palo' is more common for the Spanish deck.
A stylized red suit symbol shaped like an upright sword blade, representing the spade suit in Spanish playing cards.

Examples

Necesito el As de espadas para ganar la partida.

I need the Ace of spades to win the game.

En la baraja española, las espadas tienen la forma de una hoja.

In the Spanish deck, the spades are shaped like a blade.

Playing Cards

When referring to a suit, you typically use the plural: 'espadas'.

Confusing Card Suits and Groups

The most common mistake is confusing 'palos' or 'espada' (card suits) with 'clubes' (groups of people). Always check if you are talking about cards or a social gathering.

Related Translations

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