Inklingo

How to Say "hide-and-seek" in Spanish

English → Spanish

escondite

es-con-DEE-teh/es.konˈdi.te/

nounA1informal
Use 'escondite' when referring to the children's game of hide-and-seek, often as part of the phrase 'jugar al escondite'.
A colorful illustration of two children playing hide-and-seek outdoors. One child is covering their eyes while leaning against a large tree trunk, and another child is peeking out from behind a large bush.

Examples

Cuando éramos pequeños, siempre jugábamos al escondite en el parque.

When we were little, we always played hide-and-seek in the park.

¡Ya no quiero contar! ¿Quién va a empezar el escondite?

I don't want to count anymore! Who is going to start hide-and-seek?

Playing Games

In Spanish, when you play a sport or game, you use the preposition 'a' (al is the contraction of a + el): 'jugar al escondite' or 'jugar al fútbol'.

escondido

es-kon-DEE-doh/eskonˈdiðo/

nounB1informal
Use 'escondido' to refer to the children's game of hide-and-seek, particularly when it's shortened from 'el juego del escondido'.
A thick, hollow log resting on the forest floor, showing its dark interior which serves as a perfect hiding spot.

Examples

Los niños jugaban al escondido en el parque.

The children were playing hide-and-seek in the park.

Necesitamos encontrar un escondido mejor para la próxima vez.

We need to find a better hiding place for next time.

Gender Note

When used as a noun meaning 'a hiding place' or 'the game', it is masculine: 'el escondido'. Be careful not to confuse it with the feminine noun 'la escondida', which also refers to the game.

Choosing between 'escondite' and 'escondido'

The most common confusion is choosing between 'escondite' and 'escondido'. While both refer to the game, 'escondite' is generally the more standard and frequent term used in the common phrase 'jugar al escondite'.

Related Translations

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