saque inicial
/sake iniθjal/from spelling rules
The English phrase kickoff is translated into Spanish as saque inicial.
saque inicial refers to the first kick of a ball that starts a game of football or soccer. Depending on the context, other terms may be more appropriate: inicio or comienzo can denote the beginning or start of an event or project, while lanzamiento is used to describe the kickoff or launch of a product or inauguration.
Which one should you use?
While saque inicial is a valid term, in many football contexts, particularly in Spain and parts of Latin America, the term saque de centro is more commonly used to describe the kickoff performed from the center circle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression pistoletazo de salida is more prevalent to describe a kickoff or a starting signal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun phrase saque inicial is masculine, so it is preceded by the masculine article el (el saque inicial).
How do you pronounce it?
/sake iniθjal/
Did you know?
- While saque inicial refers to the game, the phrase pistoletazo de salida literally means 'the shot of the starting pistol' and is used in Spain for any kind of kickoff.
- The word saque is also the standard term used in many sports to refer to a 'serve' in tennis or a 'throw-in' in other contexts.
- The word saque in saque inicial comes from the verb sacar, which means 'to take out' or 'to pull out'.
Examples in context
- El inicio del partidoThe kickoff of the game
- El lanzamiento del proyectoThe kickoff of the project
- El comienzo del eventoThe kickoff of the event
- El inicio del torneo será a las 8 de la mañanaThe kickoff of the tournament will be at 8 a.m.
- El lanzamiento del producto se llevará a cabo en el evento principalThe kickoff of the product will take place at the main event
- El pistoletazo de salida del concurso se dará en el parqueThe kickoff of the contest will take place in the park
- El saque inicial fue muy rápido.The kickoff was very fast.
- Esperamos el saque inicial con emoción.We are waiting for the kickoff with excitement.
- El jugador preparó el saque inicial.The player prepared the kickoff.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a soccer match on TV.
- Javier¿Estás lista para el saque inicial?Are you ready for the kickoff?
- LucíaSí, Javier, estoy muy emocionada.Yes, Javier, I am very excited.
- JavierEl saque inicial será pronto.The kickoff will be soon.
- Lucía¡Mira, el árbitro ya pita!Look, the referee is whistling now!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inicial, saque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
