juego de las sillas
/xweɡo de las siʝas/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "musical chairs" can be translated into Spanish as juego de las sillas. Wiktionary also lists sillita musical and sillas musicales.
Meaning: game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| juego de las sillas | /xweɡo de las siʝas/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sillita musical | /siʝita musikal/ (from spelling rules) | |
| sillas musicales | /siʝas musikales/ (from spelling rules) | |
| baile de las sillas | /baile de las siʝas/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase juego de las sillas literally translates to "game of the chairs".
Which one should you use?
You may also see sillas musicales or sillita musical used to describe the activity. In Argentina, the specific name baile de las sillas is common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the game is often called baile de las sillas, which literally means "dance of the chairs".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form juego de las sillas is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/xweɡo de las siʝas/
Did you know?
- The word silla comes from the Latin 'sella', which is the same root used for the English word 'saddle'.
- While English speakers use 'musical chairs' to describe a chaotic political or professional situation, Spanish speakers can also use el juego de las sillas as a metaphor for a disorganized competition for limited resources.
- The diminutive form sillita is frequently used in many countries to make the game sound more endearing or appropriate for very young children.
Examples in context
- Los juegos infantiles que especialmente me gustaron fueron las sillas musicales, él corre que te pillo, el escondite, el quemado, la cuerda de saltar china y la rayuela.The children's games that I especially loved were musical chairs, tag, hide-and-go-seek, dodgeball, Chinese jump rope, and hopscotch.The sentence is useful for listing various children's games, including the form sillas musicales.Tatoeba #5059562 by albrusgher, translation #2807206 by AlanF_US
- Vamos a jugar a las sillas musicales esta tarde.We are going to play musical chairs this afternoon.
- ¿Te gustaría jugar a las sillas locas?Would you like to play musical chairs?
- Nos divertimos mucho jugando a las sillas locas.We had a lot of fun playing musical chairs.
- Vamos a jugar al juego de las sillas en la fiesta.We are going to play musical chairs at the party.
- El juego de las sillas es muy divertido para los niños.Musical chairs is very fun for children.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are planning a birthday party.
- AlejandroPodemos organizar el juego de las sillas.We can organize musical chairs.
- Sofía¡Me parece una idea genial, Alejandro!I think that is a great idea, Alejandro!
- AlejandroSolo necesitamos música y algunas sillas.We only need music and some chairs.
- SofíaYo traeré las sillas para el juego.I will bring the chairs for the game.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “musical chairs” translations and entries juego de las sillas, 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 baile, de, juego, las, musical, sillita, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
