Inklingo

How to Say "games" in Spanish

English → Spanish

juegos

HWEH-gos/ˈxweɣos/

nounA1General
Use 'juegos' for general recreational activities, board games, card games, video games, or even children's play.
A colorful board game laid out with several unique playing pieces on it.

Examples

Los niños adoran los **juegos** de mesa.

The children love board games.

Mis hijos están jugando a videojuegos.

My children are playing video games.

Los Juegos Olímpicos de invierno fueron emocionantes.

The Winter Olympic Games were exciting.

Organizaremos unos juegos de mesa después de cenar.

We will organize some board games after dinner.

Always Plural

Since 'juegos' is the plural form of 'juego,' it must always be used with plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'los juegos', 'unos juegos divertidos').

Confusing Singular/Plural

Mistake: “Hice un juegos.”

Correction: Hice unos juegos (I did some games) or Hice un juego (I did one game). Remember to match the number.

deportes

deh-POHR-tes/deˈpoɾtes/

nounA1General
Use 'deportes' when referring to organized athletic activities or sports in general, like soccer, basketball, or swimming.
A high quality storybook illustration showing three pieces of sports equipment resting on a grassy field: a basketball, a black and white soccer ball, and a tennis racket with a tennis ball.

Examples

Practico varios **deportes** para mantenerme en forma.

I practice various sports to stay in shape.

Me gustan mucho los **deportes** acuáticos.

I really like water sports.

¿Qué **deportes** practicas en tu tiempo libre?

What sports do you practice in your free time?

La ciudad invierte mucho en infraestructuras para los **deportes** de invierno.

The city invests a lot in infrastructure for winter sports.

Masculine Plural

Since the singular word deporte is masculine (el deporte), the plural form deportes is also masculine, so you must use the masculine plural article los (los deportes).

Using 'Jugar' Incorrectly

Mistake: “Hago jugar al fútbol.”

Correction: Practico el fútbol. (Use *practicar* or *jugar a* for specific sports, but *hacer* or *practicar* for 'doing sports' in general.)

partidos

par-TEE-dohs/paɾˈtiðos/

nounA1General
Use 'partidos' specifically for individual competitive events or matches within a sport, like a soccer game or a tennis match.
Two teams of small figures competing for a soccer ball on a bright green sports field.

Examples

Ganamos el **partido** de voleibol ayer.

We won the volleyball match yesterday.

Todos los domingos vemos los partidos de fútbol.

Every Sunday we watch the soccer matches.

Hubo muchos partidos emocionantes en el torneo.

There were many exciting games in the tournament.

Plural Noun

This is the plural form of 'partido' (match). Remember that in Spanish, we usually use the word 'fútbol' (soccer) or the specific sport name when talking about this kind of game.

Confusing General Activities with Specific Matches

Learners often confuse 'juegos' and 'partidos'. Remember that 'juegos' is for the general activity (like 'video games' or 'board games'), while 'partidos' refers to a single, specific competition or match within a sport (like 'the soccer match').

Related Translations

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