Inklingo

How to Say "court" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “court” is “cancha” — use 'cancha' for an outdoor or indoor playing area in sports like tennis, basketball, or volleyball..

cancha🔊A1

Use 'cancha' for an outdoor or indoor playing area in sports like tennis, basketball, or volleyball.

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campo🔊A2

Use 'campo' specifically for a sports field, most commonly for soccer or football.

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pista🔊B1

Use 'pista' for a track or specific lane used for racing or certain sports like ice skating.

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juzgado🔊B1

Use 'juzgado' to refer to the physical building or institution where legal proceedings take place, like a courthouse.

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corte🔊B2

Use 'corte' to refer to a legal body or institution, such as a Supreme Court or a criminal court.

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busque🔊B1

This is the subjunctive form of the verb 'buscar' (to seek) and is used when the subject is actively trying to find or obtain something, like peace or justice.

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English → Spanish

cancha

/KAHN-chah//ˈkant͡ʃa/

nounA1general
Use 'cancha' for an outdoor or indoor playing area in sports like tennis, basketball, or volleyball.
A bright blue tennis court with white boundary lines and a net in the center.

Examples

La cancha de tenis está ocupada ahora mismo.

The tennis court is busy right now.

Los niños están jugando en la cancha de fútbol.

The children are playing on the soccer field.

Feminine Noun Basics

Since this word ends in 'a,' it is feminine. Use 'la' for one and 'las' for more than one.

Cancha vs. Campo

Mistake: “Using 'cancha' to mean the rural countryside.”

Correction: Use 'campo' for the countryside or a very large open meadow; 'cancha' is specifically for a designated sports area.

campo

/kahm-poh//ˈkampo/

nounA2general
Use 'campo' specifically for a sports field, most commonly for soccer or football.
A bright green soccer field (pitch) with clear white boundary lines and a white goal net, ready for a game.

Examples

Los jugadores ya están en el campo de fútbol.

The players are already on the soccer field.

Construyeron un nuevo campo de béisbol en el parque.

They built a new baseball field in the park.

Vamos a reservar un campo de tenis para el sábado.

Let's book a tennis court for Saturday.

pista

/PEES-tah//ˈpis.ta/

nounB1general
Use 'pista' for a track or specific lane used for racing or certain sports like ice skating.
A vibrant red athletic running track with white lane lines curving around a grassy center field.

Examples

Los coches de carreras van muy rápido en la pista.

The race cars go very fast on the track.

Tenemos reservada la pista de tenis a las cinco.

We have the tennis court reserved at five.

Me encanta patinar en la pista de hielo en invierno.

I love skating at the ice rink in winter.

juzgado

hooz-GAH-doh/xuzˈɣa.ðo/

nounB1legal
Use 'juzgado' to refer to the physical building or institution where legal proceedings take place, like a courthouse.
A grand, symmetrical stone building with tall columns and a wide set of stairs leading to the entrance, representing a courthouse.

Examples

Tuvimos que ir al juzgado para presentar la demanda.

We had to go to the courthouse to file the lawsuit.

El juzgado emitió una orden de arresto contra el sospechoso.

The court issued an arrest warrant against the suspect.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'juzgado' is always masculine, so you use 'el juzgado' or 'un juzgado'.

corte

/KOR-teh//ˈkoɾ.te/

nounB2legal
Use 'corte' to refer to a legal body or institution, such as a Supreme Court or a criminal court.
A grand, stylized illustration of a king sitting on a large, ornate throne, surrounded by two formally dressed courtiers inside a palace hall.

Examples

El acusado fue llevado ante la corte.

The defendant was brought before the court.

La Corte Suprema anunció su veredicto.

The Supreme Court announced its verdict.

La corte del rey celebraba grandes fiestas en el palacio.

The king's court held grand parties in the palace.

Gender Matters: 'el corte' vs. 'la corte'

This is a key difference! 'El corte' (masculine) almost always means a 'cut' or 'interruption.' 'La corte' (feminine) means a legal or royal 'court.' Remembering the gender helps you know which meaning is intended.

Mixing up the Genders

Mistake: “Hubo una la corte de luz.”

Correction: Hubo un corte de luz. Use 'un' (masculine) for outages and physical cuts.

busque

/BOO-skeh//ˈbuske/

verbB1general
This is the subjunctive form of the verb 'buscar' (to seek) and is used when the subject is actively trying to find or obtain something, like peace or justice.
A solitary figure standing at the beginning of a winding, clearly defined path that leads up a slight hill toward a distant, glowing, stylized symbol, representing the pursuit of an abstract goal.

Examples

El presidente pide que el país busque la paz.

The president asks that the country seek peace.

Busque siempre la excelencia en su trabajo.

Always seek excellence in your work. (Uses 'usted busque'—Formal Command)

Dudo que busque problemas con sus vecinos.

I doubt that he looks for trouble with his neighbors. (Uses 'él busque'—Present Subjunctive)

Subjunctive Trigger

When 'busque' follows verbs of desire, necessity, or doubt (like 'pedir,' 'necesitar,' or 'dudar'), it shows that the action of searching is uncertain or dependent on someone else.

Sports vs. Legal Terms

The most common confusion is between the sports terms ('cancha', 'campo', 'pista') and the legal terms ('corte', 'juzgado'). Remember that 'cancha' and 'campo' are for playing fields, 'pista' is for a track, while 'corte' and 'juzgado' refer to legal institutions.

Related Translations

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