regate
/reˈɡate/
The Spanish word for dribbling is regate.
regate refers to the act of moving a ball past an opponent using short kicks or bounces. It is important to note that this same word is used in Spanish to describe the act of bargaining or haggling over a price.
Which one should you use?
While regate can mean both a sports dribble and the act of haggling, if you wish to emphasize the technical skill of ball control specifically, you might use the phrase Control de balón.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the variant Gambeta is used to mean dribble. In Spain, the term Recorte is used to refer to a quick change of direction with the ball, which often involves a dribble.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun regate is derived from the verb regatear, which means to dribble or to haggle. The plural form of the noun is regates.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈɡate/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word gambeta can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is skillfully avoiding a direct question or dodging a difficult situation.
- In Latin American football culture, a player who excels at the gambeta is often seen as an artist, reflecting a cultural preference for individual flair over rigid team tactics.
- The term gambeta used in Argentina and Uruguay comes from the word gambeta, which refers to a skipping or leaping movement of the legs.
Examples in context
- El jugador realizó un regate espectacular para dejar atrás a los defensores.The player performed a spectacular dribble to leave the defenders behind.
- ¡Qué regateo tan impresionante! Desconcertó completamente al portero.What an impressive dribble! It completely confused the goalkeeper.
- Su regate fue muy impresionante.His dribbling was very impressive.
- El jugador practicó su regate hoy.The player practiced his dribbling today.
- Necesitas mejorar tu regate para el partido.You need to improve your dribbling for the match.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are watching a soccer match.
- ElenaMira ese regate de Messi.Look at that dribbling from Messi.
- DanielEs increíble cómo pasa a todos.It is incredible how he gets past everyone.
- ElenaEl regate es la mejor parte del juego.Dribbling is the best part of the game.
- DanielEstoy de acuerdo, Elena.I agree, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry regate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
