ajedrez
/axeˈdɾeθ/masculine
Chess in Spanish is ajedrez. Wiktionary also lists escaques.
Meaning: two-player board game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ajedrez | /axeˈdɾeθ/ /axeˈdɾes/ |
masculine |
| escaques | /esˈkakes/ | masculine, plural |
ajedrez is a masculine noun used to refer to the two-player board game. To describe components or people related to the game, you can use the following terms: tablero de ajedrez for chessboard, pieza de ajedrez for chess piece and jugador de ajedrez for a chess player. Another word for a chess player is ajedrecista. To say "checkmate", use jaque mate.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express the action of playing chess, use the phrase jugar al ajedrez, as the verb jugar is typically followed by the preposition al.
How do you pronounce it?
/axeˈdɾeθ/
Did you know?
- The word ajedrez traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word caturaṅga, which refers to the four divisions of the ancient Indian army: infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariotry.
- The term ajedrez is a linguistic fossil of the Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula, having been inherited from Arabic rather than through Latin.
- The phrase jaque mate is a direct translation of the Persian shāh māt, meaning 'the king is helpless' or 'the king is dead'.
Examples in context
- Le gané en ajedrez.I beat him at chess.This sentence is useful for describing winning a game against someone using ajedrez.Tatoeba #3563926 by marcelostockle, translation #255003 by CK
- Esto es el ajedrez.This is chess.This sentence is useful for identifying the game as ajedrez.Tatoeba #9192214 by ecorralest101, translation #9191903 by CK
- Me gusta el ajedrez.I like chess.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for ajedrez.Tatoeba #4471790 by cueyayotl, translation #1755544 by Betsemes
- Me gusta jugar al ajedrez los fines de semana.I like to play chess on weekends.
- El ajedrez es un juego muy estratégico.Chess is a very strategic game.
- El tablero de ajedrez tiene 64 casillas.The chessboard has 64 squares.
- Ese peón es una pieza importante en el ajedrez.That pawn is an important chess piece.
- ¡Jaque mate! Gané la partida.Checkmate! I won the game.
- Mi hermano es un destacado jugador de ajedrez.My brother is an outstanding chess player.
- 246 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are in a café near a park.
- Elena¿Quieres jugar al ajedrez?Do you want to play chess?
- AlejandroSí, me encanta el ajedrez.Yes, I love chess.
- ElenaEs un juego muy difícil.It is a very difficult game.
- AlejandroPero es muy divertido, Elena.But it is very fun, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chess” translations and entries ajedrez, escaques, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ajedrez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
