canasta de baloncesto
/kanasta de balonθesto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'basketball goal' is translated into Spanish as canasta de baloncesto.
The word canasta can refer to the physical hoop, the goal itself or the act of scoring a basket.
What does it mean word for word?
The word canasta literally means 'basket'.
Which one should you use?
Another formal way to refer to a basketball goal is cesta de baloncesto. The term aro de baloncesto is a formal option that specifically refers to the hoop or circular element.
Did you know?
- The word canasta is a cognate of the English word 'canister'. Both words share a common ancestor in the Latin word canistrum which referred to a basket.
- The word baloncesto is composed of balón and cesto. Interestingly, balón is used for large inflated balls like those in basketball or soccer, while pelota is used for smaller balls.
- The term baloncesto is a semantic calque. This means Spanish speakers didn't just borrow the English sound but literally translated the components 'ball' and 'basket' into their own language.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde está la canasta de baloncesto?Where is the basketball goal?
- La canasta de baloncesto es muy alta.The basketball goal is very high.
- Él lanzó el balón hacia la canasta de baloncesto.He threw the ball toward the basketball goal.
- Necesitamos arreglar la canasta de baloncesto.We need to fix the basketball goal.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a local park.
- DanielSofía, mira esa canasta de baloncesto.Sofía, look at that basketball goal.
- SofíaSí, Daniel, parece que está rota.Yes, Daniel, it looks like it is broken.
- Daniel¿Podemos jugar con la canasta de baloncesto de la calle?Can we play with the basketball goal on the street?
- SofíaClaro, vamos a la otra.Sure, let's go to the other one.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baloncesto, canasta, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
