clavar una pelota de baloncesto
/klabaɾ una pelota de balonθesto/from spelling rules
To dunk a basketball in Spanish is to clavar una pelota de baloncesto.
The phrase describes the action of jumping high and pushing the basketball down through the hoop with one or both hands. In a basketball context, you can shorten the phrase by omitting de baloncesto and simply saying clavar la pelota or clavar el balón.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb clavar literally means to nail or to drive in (like a nail), which captures the action of slamming the ball into the hoop.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter other forms. The colloquial expression clavar un mate uses the noun mate to refer specifically to a slam dunk. For a more formal tone, one might use Realizar un mate en baloncesto.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term machacar is used to reference dunking a basketball.
How do you pronounce it?
/klabaɾ una pelota de balonθesto/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word mate refers to a slam dunk, though in other contexts it can refer to a traditional herbal tea or a checkmate in chess.
- The word baloncesto is a 'calque', meaning it was created by translating the English word 'basketball' piece by piece into balón and cesto.
Examples in context
- Andrés realizó un mate en baloncesto durante el partido amistoso.Andrés performed a dunk in basketball during the friendly game.
- Es difícil clavar una pelota de baloncesto sin saltar alto.It is difficult to dunk a basketball without jumping high.
- Mira cómo puede clavar una pelota de baloncesto con una mano.Look at how he can dunk a basketball with one hand.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are playing at a local park.
- DanielMira, Sofía, voy a clavar una pelota de baloncesto.Look, Sofía, I am going to dunk a basketball.
- SofíaNo creo que puedas hacerlo, Daniel.I don't think you can do it, Daniel.
- Daniel¡Mira esto!Watch this!
- Sofía¡Increíble! Lograste clavar una pelota de baloncesto.Amazing! You managed to dunk a basketball.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baloncesto, clavar, de, pelota, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
