quiero jugar
/kjeɾo xuɡaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want to play" is translated into Spanish as quiero jugar.
quiero jugar is used to express a desire to engage in a game or a fun activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular present indicative of querer (to want) and the infinitive jugar (to play).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you can use Quisiera jugar to express your desire or Tengo ganas de jugar to say "I feel like playing". In Spain, the colloquial expression Me molaría jugar means "I would like to play", while Me apetece jugar means "I feel like playing". Additionally, in Spain, you might hear Ando con ganas de jugar to mean "I'm in the mood to play".
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a desire to play a specific sport or game, you must add the preposition a after the verb jugar. This is often contracted as al when used with the masculine article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo xuɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- While jugar is used for games and sports, Spanish speakers use the word tocar to express that they want to play a musical instrument.
- The verb jugar is the only verb in the entire Spanish language that undergoes a specific vowel change from 'u' to 'ue' in its conjugation, such as in 'juego'.
- The Spanish word jugar is a distant relative of the English word 'joke'. Both words evolved from the Latin iocus, which referred to a jest or a joke.
Examples in context
- Quiero jugar al tenis.I want to play tennis.This sentence shows how to use quiero jugar with the contraction al for tennis.Tatoeba #2114463 by Shishir, translation #11226873 by Luornu
- Quiero jugar al fútbol.I want to play football.This sentence shows how to use quiero jugar with the contraction al for football.Tatoeba #10357422 by Seael, translation #3734330 by CK
- Quiero jugar al ajedrez.I want to play chess.This sentence shows how to use quiero jugar with the contraction al for chess.Tatoeba #12886128 by ecorralest101, translation #3825771 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are at a park with a ball.
- MaríaAlejandro, quiero jugar.Alejandro, I want to play.
- Alejandro¿Quieres jugar con la pelota?Do you want to play with the ball?
- MaríaSí, quiero jugar contigo.Yes, I want to play with you.
- Alejandro¡Muy bien, vamos!Very well, let's go!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
