Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escondidas | /eskonˈdidas/ | feminine, plural |
| escondite | /eskonˈdite/ | masculine |
| escondecucas | /eskondekukas/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| escondidillas | /eskondidiʝas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
| gárgaro | /ɡaɾɡaɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| orí | /oɾi/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The various forms of this phrase are used to name the game of hide and seek. The masculine noun escondite is versatile, as it can refer to the game itself or to the specific physical hiding place used by a player.
What does it mean word for word?
The form escondidas is the feminine plural form of the adjective escondida, which literally means hidden things or hiding places.
Which one should you use?
escondidas and escondidillas are feminine plural forms, while escondite and escondecucas are masculine. escondite can mean the game or a single hiding spot.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the most common informal phrase is las escondidas. In Chile and Argentina, both escondidas and the informal escondidillas are used. In Spain, escondite is commonly used to describe the game, while escondecucas is a colloquial term used in certain parts of the country. In Spain, one may also use the phrase juego del escondite to describe the game.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the form escondidas to say 'play hide and seek', you must include the feminine plural article las (jugar a las escondidas).
How do you pronounce it?
/eskonˈdidas/
Did you know?
- In some regions, the game is called gárgaro, a word that normally refers to the act of gargling or a throat sound.
- The word escondite is related to the Old Occitan word escondit.
- The colloquial Spanish term escondecucas contains the word cuca, which can be a slang term for a head or a small insect.
Examples in context
- Juguemos a las escondidas.Let's play hide and seek.This sentence is useful for suggesting the game using escondidas.Tatoeba #2530545 by marcelostockle, translation #2007528 by CK
- ¿Quieres jugar al escondite?Do you want to play hide and seek?This sentence is useful for asking a question about playing the game with escondite.Tatoeba #5059554 by albrusgher, translation #2530543 by CK
- Tom y Mary jugaron al escondite.Tom and Mary played hide-and-seek.This sentence is useful for describing a past action involving escondite.Tatoeba #9717812 by Shishir, translation #6833123 by Hybrid
- Me toca escondermeIt's my turn to hide
- Me toca buscarIt's my turn to seek
- ¿Quién quiere ser el que busca?Who wants to be the seeker?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to play in the park.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿quieres jugar a las escondidas?María, do you want to play hide and seek?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, me encantan las escondidas.Yes, Alejandro, I love hide and seek.
- Alejandro¡Perfecto! Yo cuento primero.Perfect! I will count first.
- María¡Está bien, corre a esconderte!Okay, run to hide!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hide and seek” translations and entries escondidas, escondite, 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 escondite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
