Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| regatear | /reɡateˈaɾ/ | |
| gambetear | /ɡambeteˈaɾ/ | |
| driblar | /dɾiˈblaɾ/ | |
| driblear | /dɾibleˈaɾ/ | alternative form |
| cachañear | /kat͡ʃaɲeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb describes the action of moving a ball by kicking or bouncing it. Note that the related nouns regate and gambeta describe the act of kicking or bouncing the ball.
Which one should you use?
While regatear can mean to dribble in a sports context, it is also the most common way to say 'to bargain' or 'to haggle' over prices in a market. Gambetear is used to describe the act of dribbling in soccer. Driblar is a direct loanword from English and is commonly used in sports commentary to describe dribbling past an opponent. Driblear is an alternative spelling of driblar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, regatear is used for 'to dribble'. In the Southern Cone region (such as Argentina and Uruguay), gambetear is frequently used to describe the act of dribbling in soccer. The noun gambeta refers to a skillful dribble or a specific move used to bypass a defender.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/reɡateˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word gambeta in the Southern Cone doesn't just mean a move but is often used as a metaphor for using a clever trick to avoid a difficult situation in life.
- The term regatear is etymologically linked to the word regata, which refers to a rowing race.
Examples in context
- Cristiano Ronaldo regateó a dos defensores antes de anotar un gol maravilloso.Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled past two defenders before scoring a marvelous goal.
- Messi hizo unos regates impresionantes durante el partido de ayer.Messi pulled off some impressive dribbles during yesterday's match.
- Él sabe regatear muy bien.He knows how to dribble very well.
- ¿Te gusta regatear con el balón?Do you like to dribble with the ball?
- El jugador intentó regatear al defensa.The player tried to dribble past the defender.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are watching a soccer match at a park.
- AlejandroMira cómo puede regatear ese chico.Look how that boy can dribble.
- MaríaSí, es muy rápido con el balón.Yes, he is very fast with the ball.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿crees que ganará el partido?María, do you think he will win the match?
- MaríaSi sigue regateando así, seguro que sí.If he keeps dribbling like that, surely he will.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dribble” translations and entries regatear, gambetear, driblar, driblear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries driblar, gambetear, regatear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
