Inklingo

How to Say "league" in Spanish

English → Spanish

liga

LEE-gah/ˈli.ɣa/

nounA2sports
Use 'liga' when referring to a sports competition or a sports organization, such as a professional sports league.
A shiny, golden championship trophy standing on a pedestal, surrounded by several small, colorful team flags representing a sports league.

Examples

Mi equipo favorito ganó la liga el año pasado.

My favorite team won the league last year.

Los tres países formaron una liga defensiva.

The three countries formed a defensive alliance.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'liga' ends in -a, remember it refers to a group or organization, acting as a simple feminine noun.

campeonato

kahm-peh-oh-NAH-toh/kam.pe.oˈna.to/

nounB1sports
Choose 'campeonato' to refer to a major sporting division or a championship event, often the culmination of a league.
A brightly colored illustration showing a tall, ornate gold championship trophy on a dark pedestal.

Examples

El equipo de baloncesto ganó el campeonato nacional.

The basketball team won the national championship.

El campeonato mundial de ajedrez se celebra cada dos años.

The world chess tournament is held every two years.

Participar en este campeonato requiere mucha disciplina.

Participating in this tournament requires a lot of discipline.

Always Masculine

Even though many Spanish words ending in -a are feminine, 'campeonato' ends in -o and is always masculine: 'el campeonato'.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La campeonato”

Correction: El campeonato. Remember that the suffix -ato is a strong marker for masculine nouns.

federación

nounB1sports
Use 'federación' when referring to a sports organization that governs a particular sport, like a national football federation.

Examples

La federación de fútbol anunció las nuevas reglas del torneo.

The football federation announced the new rules for the tournament.

unión

nounB2general/political
Opt for 'unión' when discussing a group of states or clubs that have joined together, like the European Union.

Examples

La Unión Europea es un ejemplo de cooperación internacional.

The European Union is an example of international cooperation.

Confusing Sports Leagues and Championships

Learners often confuse 'liga' and 'campeonato'. Remember that 'liga' typically refers to the ongoing competition or the organization running it, while 'campeonato' usually refers to the final event or the title won.

Related Translations

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