What does it mean word for word?
The phrase juegos de computadora is composed of juegos (games), de (of) and computadora (computer).
Which one should you use?
Juegos de computadora is a literal translation of the English term. In contrast, videojuegos is a more common way to refer to electronic games generally and juegos de ordenador translates to computer games more literally.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Videojuegos is a common and straightforward translation. Juegos de ordenador is considered a more formal way to translate the phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is more common to use ordenador instead of computadora for computer, making juegos de ordenador a frequent choice. In Spain, the phrase jugar a videojuegos is also commonly used to mean "to play computer games". In Mexico, popular terms for computer games include videojuegos and juegos de video.
How do you pronounce it?
/xweɡos de komputadoɾa/
Did you know?
- While videojuegos is the standard term, the word juego comes from the Latin jocus, which originally meant a 'joke' or 'jest'.
- In Spain, you will hear jugar a videojuegos instead of just jugar videojuegos. The addition of the preposition a is a grammatical requirement specific to playing games or sports in Spain.
- The word de in juegos de computadora traces its roots back to the Latin preposition dē, which originally indicated movement from above or separation.
Examples in context
- Los juegos de computadora son ejemplos de software multimedia porque combinan texto, imágenes, animación, video y sonido.Computer games are examples of software multimedia because they combine text, images, animation, video, and sound.This sentence uses juegos de computadora to describe multimedia software features.Tatoeba #4378279 by umano, translation #4409829 by LB
- Arthur Lee Samuel, un informático estadounidense, fue un pionero en los campos de los juegos de computadora, la inteligencia artificial y el aprendizaje automático.Arthur Lee Samuel, an American computer scientist, was a pioneer in the fields of computer games, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.This sentence uses juegos de computadora to describe the professional field of a computer scientist.Tatoeba #10463997 by carlosalberto, translation #10463994 by carlosalberto
- Me encanta jugar videojuegosI love playing computer games
- Los videojuegos me apasionanI'm passionate about computer games
- La consola tiene una gran variedad de videojuegosThe console has a great variety of computer games
- Los videojuegos mejoran la agilidad mentalComputer games improve mental agility
- Jugar juegos de computadora puede ser una forma de relajarsePlaying computer games can be a way to relax
- A mi hijo le encantan los juegos de computadora.My son loves computer games.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about their hobbies at home.
- Daniel¿Te gustan los juegos de computadora, María?Do you like computer games, María?
- MaríaNo, prefiero leer libros.No, I prefer reading books.
- DanielA mí me divierten mucho.I find them very fun.
- MaríaEntiendo, pero yo no tengo tiempo para ellos.I understand, but I don't have time for them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries computadora, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
