Inklingo

How to Say "you gamble" in Spanish

English → Spanish

juegas

HWEH-gahs/ˈxwe.ɣas/

verbB1betting money
Use 'juegas' when referring to the act of betting money, especially in games of chance like in a casino or with cards.
A hand placing a tall stack of red, blue, and white gambling chips onto a green felt surface.

Examples

¿Juegas mucho en el casino?

Do you gamble a lot at the casino?

Juegas con fuego si sigues mintiendo.

You are playing with fire (taking a big risk) if you keep lying.

Me pregunto cuánto dinero juegas cada semana.

I wonder how much money you bet every week.

Jugar con...

When 'jugar' means to mess around or take risks, it is usually followed by the preposition 'con' (with): 'Juegas con mi paciencia' (You are playing with my patience).

juegues

/HWEH-gehs//ˈxweɣes/

verbB1context of betting or risk
Use 'juegues' when the context involves taking a risk or playing in a situation that might be dangerous, often in a subjunctive mood.
A cheerful child playing with a small wooden toy boat in a park.

Examples

No quiero que juegues en la calle.

I don't want you to play in the street.

¡No juegues con mi comida!

Don't play with my food!

Es posible que juegues en el equipo nacional algún día.

It's possible that you will play on the national team one day.

The 'Wish and Doubt' Form

Juegues is used when you are talking about something you want to happen, but isn't a guaranteed fact yet—like 'I hope you play'.

Spelling Change

Notice the 'u' after the 'g'. This is added to keep the 'g' sounding hard, like 'goat', instead of soft like 'giraffe'.

Using 'juegas' for commands

Mistake: “No juegas con eso.”

Correction: No juegues con eso.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

The most common mistake is confusing the indicative 'juegas' with the subjunctive 'juegues'. 'Juegas' is used for direct statements about gambling, while 'juegues' appears after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion, like 'No quiero que...' (I don't want you to...).

Related Translations

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