baloncesto
/balonˈθesto/masculine
The English phrase "basketball" is baloncesto in Spanish. 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.
Which one should you use?
While baloncesto is the default form, básquetbol is used in many Latin American countries. The word básquet is a rare and informal abbreviation of the sport.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form básquet is used informally in many regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term básquetbol is commonly used in many Latin American countries.
How do you pronounce it?
/balonˈθesto/
Did you know?
- The 'basket' part of básquetbol can be traced back to the Proto-Celtic word *baskis, showing a linguistic lineage that predates the sport by thousands of years.
- The word cesto in baloncesto refers to a wicker basket, mirroring the original peach baskets used in the sport's invention in 1891.
- The word cesto in baloncesto refers specifically to a basket, but it is a much more specialized term than the common word for basket, canasta.
Examples in context
- Ella jugó al baloncesto.She played basketball.This sentence is useful for describing someone playing baloncesto.Tatoeba #6628077 by Schuager, translation #311965 by CK
- ¿Eres bueno al baloncesto?Can you play basketball well?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's skill in baloncesto.Tatoeba #7948456 by arh, translation #7935765 by CK
- Juego baloncesto con ella.I play basketball with her.This sentence is useful for stating that you play baloncesto with someone.Tatoeba #9145563 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #3904155 by CH
- El baloncesto es un deporte muy popular en todo el mundo.Basketball is a very popular sport worldwide.
- Practico baloncesto todos los días.I play basketball every day.
- ¿Juegas basquetbol los fines de semana?Do you play basketball on weekends?
- ¿Viste el partido de básquet anoche?Did you watch the basketball game last night?
- Jugué básquet con mis amigos en el parque.I played basketball with my friends at the park.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about their favorite sports.
- Alejandro¿Te gusta el baloncesto, Sofía?Do you like basketball, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, me encanta el baloncesto.Yes, I love basketball.
- Alejandro¡Genial! Yo también lo juego.Great! I play it too.
- SofíaEntonces juguemos un partido mañana.Then let's play a game tomorrow.
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.
