Inklingo

How to Say "sports" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deportes

deh-POHR-tes/deˈpoɾtes/

nounA1general
Use 'deportes' as the general, all-purpose word for athletic activities and pastimes.
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

Me gustan mucho los deportes acuáticos.

I really like water sports.

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.)

juegos

HWEH-gos/ˈxweɣos/

nounA1general
Use 'juegos' specifically when referring to games or large-scale competitive events like the Olympics, or even video games.
A colorful board game laid out with several unique playing pieces on it.

Examples

Los juegos olímpicos son un gran evento.

The Olympic Games are a big event.

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.

General vs. Specific Use

Learners often mistakenly use 'juegos' for all types of sports. Remember that 'deportes' is the default and most common translation for 'sports' in general conversation. Reserve 'juegos' for actual games or major organized competitions.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.