baloncesto
/balonˈθesto/masculine
Basketball in Spanish is baloncesto. Wiktionary also lists básquetbol and básquet.
Meaning: the sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| baloncesto | /balonˈθesto/ /balonˈsesto/ |
masculine |
| básquetbol | /ˈbaskedbol/ | masculine |
| básquet | /ˈbasket/ | masculine |
The term refers to the sport of basketball.
What does it mean word for word?
The word baloncesto is a compound of balón (ball) and cesto (basket).
Which one should you use?
baloncesto is the standard term in Spain, while básquetbol is widely used in many parts of Latin America. The form básquet is a shortened, colloquial version found in several Latin American countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
baloncesto is the standard term used in Spain, while básquetbol is predominantly used in Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating that you are good at the sport or playing it, you often use the contraction al (a + el) before baloncesto.
How do you pronounce it?
/balonˈθesto/
Did you know?
- The Latin ancestor of the word for basket in baloncesto is bascauda, which evolved through Anglo-Norman before becoming the English 'basket'.
- The Spanish word for the ball in baloncesto, balón, specifically refers to a large ball used in sports, distinguishing it from pelota, which is used for smaller balls like tennis balls.
- While baloncesto is the standard in Spain, a speaker using this term in some Latin American countries might be viewed as overly formal or sounding like a textbook.
Examples in context
- Ella jugó al baloncesto.She played basketball.This sentence uses baloncesto to describe someone playing the sport.Tatoeba #6628077 by Schuager, translation #311965 by CK
- ¿Eres bueno al baloncesto?Can you play basketball well?This sentence uses baloncesto to ask about someone's skill at the sport.Tatoeba #7948456 by arh, translation #7935765 by CK
- Juego baloncesto con ella.I play basketball with her.This sentence uses baloncesto to describe playing the sport with another person.Tatoeba #9145563 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #3904155 by CH
- El baloncesto es uno de los deportes más populares en el mundo.Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world.
- Mi colegio ofrece clases de básquet para los estudiantes.My school offers basketball classes for the students.
- ¿Qué te parece si jugamos un partido de basket este fin de semana?How about we play a basketball game this weekend?
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite hobbies.
- AlejandroMe gusta mucho el baloncesto.I like basketball a lot.
- MaríaYo prefiero el fútbol, Alejandro.I prefer soccer, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Quieres jugar al baloncesto conmigo?Do you want to play basketball with me?
- MaríaEstá bien, María lo intentará.All right, María will try it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basketball” translations and entries baloncesto, básquetbol, básquet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baloncesto, básquet, básquetbol, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
