jugar a la pelota
/xuɡaɾ a la pelota/from spelling rules
To play ball in Spanish is jugar a la pelota.
The phrase jugar a la pelota is used generally for any game involving a ball. In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you want to specify a particular sport like soccer or baseball, you would replace la pelota with the name of that sport.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb jugar (to play), the preposition a (at/to) and the noun phrase la pelota (the ball).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Echar una pachanga is used primarily in Spain and parts of Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb jugar to indicate playing a specific sport or game, it is standard to use the preposition a before the object.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɣaɾ a la pelota/
Did you know?
- The word jugar originates from the Latin word iocus, which meant 'joke' or 'jest'.
- While pelota refers to a ball, the word is used in the name of Pelota Vasca, a traditional Basque sport played against a wall rather than in a field.
- While English speakers use 'play' to mean both 'to play a game' and 'to play an instrument', in Spanish you cannot use jugar for musical instruments.
Examples in context
- Voy a ir a jugar a la pelota con Mohan.I am going to go play ball with Mohan.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to go play ball with someone using jugar a la pelota.Tatoeba #3272811 by cueyayotl, translation #443072 by minshirui
- A los niños les encanta jugar a la pelota.The children love to play ball.
- ¿Quieres salir a jugar a la pelota conmigo?Do you want to go out to play ball with me?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do in the park.
- DanielElena, ¿quieres jugar a la pelota en el parque?Elena, do you want to play ball in the park?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, me encantaría jugar a la pelota.Yes, Daniel, I would love to play ball.
- Daniel¡Perfecto! Traje mi pelota nueva.Perfect! I brought my new ball.
- Elena¡Qué divertido, vamos!How fun, let's go!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, jugar, la, pelota, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
