¿puedo jugar a Fortnite?
The English phrase "can I play fortnite?" is translated into Spanish as ¿puedo jugar a Fortnite?
This phrase is used to request permission to play the video game Fortnite.
What does it mean word for word?
The word puedo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb poder, which means "I can" or "I am able to".
Which one should you use?
While ¿puedo jugar a Fortnite? is a standard way to phrase the request, in many Spanish-speaking regions, the preposition a is often omitted before the name of a video game, resulting in the common alternative ¿Puedo jugar Fortnite?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word partidas can be replaced with partiditas.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you play a game or a sport in Spanish, you use the construction jugar a followed by the name of the game.
Did you know?
- The word jugar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'joke', as both originate from the Latin word iocus, meaning 'jest'.
- While jugar is used for games and sports, Spanish uses a completely different verb, tocar, when 'playing' a musical instrument.
- Adding the suffix -itas to partidas to make partiditas doesn't just mean the games are small, but often implies they are quick or casual.
Examples in context
- Si termino la tarea, ¿puedo jugar a Fortnite?If I finish my homework, can I play Fortnite?
Example conversation
María is asking her brother Alejandro for permission to use the console.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿puedo jugar a Fortnite?Alejandro, can I play Fortnite?
- AlejandroNo, ahora estoy usando la consola.No, I am using the console right now.
- María¿Cuándo terminarás tú?When will you be finished?
- AlejandroEn diez minutos, espera un poco.In ten minutes, wait a little bit.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
