Inklingo

How to Say "game piece" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ficha

FEE-chahˈfitʃa

nounA1general
Use 'ficha' for the general tokens or markers used in board games like checkers, Monopoly, or dominoes.
A single red wooden board game piece sitting on a wooden surface.

Examples

Es tu turno, mueve una ficha.

It's your turn, move a piece.

Perdí una ficha roja de mi juego de parchís.

I lost a red piece from my Parcheesi game.

Introduce la ficha en la máquina para empezar.

Insert the token into the machine to start.

Always Feminine

The word 'ficha' is always feminine. Even if the game piece represents a king or a male soldier, you still say 'la ficha'.

Ficha vs. Moneda

Use 'ficha' for plastic or metal discs used in machines (like at a laundry or arcade). Use 'moneda' for actual currency/money.

Confusing Ficha and Pieza

Mistake: “Using 'ficha' for complex 3D characters.”

Correction: Use 'ficha' for flat things (chips, checkers, dominoes). For 3D characters like in Monopoly or Dungeons & Dragons, use 'figura' or 'pieza'.

pieza

pee-EH-sahˈpjeθa

nounB1general
Use 'pieza' when referring to the individual playing pieces in strategy games like chess or draughts (checkers), especially when discussing moves or strategy.
A stylized white chess knight game piece standing prominently on a chessboard.

Examples

Movió una pieza y puso a su oponente en jaque.

He moved a piece and put his opponent in check.

Guarda todas las piezas en la caja cuando termines.

Keep all the pieces in the box when you finish.

Ficha vs. Pieza in Games

Learners often confuse 'ficha' and 'pieza'. While 'ficha' is a safe bet for most board game tokens, 'pieza' is specifically preferred for chess and similar strategy games, especially when talking about the actual move or the piece's role in the game.

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