jugar a las damas
/xuɡaɾ a las damas/from spelling rules
To play checkers in Spanish is jugar a las damas.
The phrase is used to describe playing the board game where players move discs across a grid to capture an opponent's pieces. The individual pieces used in the game are called ficha.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase las damas literally translates to the ladies, which is the name used for the game of checkers in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can say Echar una partida de damas to mean 'to have a game of checkers'. In Argentina, the phrase jugar a las damas criollas is used to say 'to play checkers'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb jugar to describe playing a game, you must include the preposition a before the name of the game.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɡaɾ a las damas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying jugar las damas. English speakers often mistakenly omit the preposition a, but you should always use jugar a las damas.
Did you know?
- The verb jugar comes from the Latin word iocus, which means a 'jest' or a 'prank', making it a distant relative of the English word 'joke'.
- The word damas identifies the game as 'the ladies' because the most powerful piece on the board is a 'queen'.
- In Spain, the phrase echar una partida uses the verb echar, which literally means 'to throw', to describe starting a game of checkers.
Examples in context
- No quiero jugar a las damas.I don't want to play checkers.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to play the game with jugar a las damas.Tatoeba #5098388 by don_ramon, translation #2013913 by CK
- Con las piezas del ajedrez podés jugar a las damas, pero no al revés.You can play checkers with chess pieces, but not the other way around.This sentence shows how one can use chess pieces to play the game using jugar a las damas.Tatoeba #1293084 by hayastan, translation #10014285 by espamatics
- ¿Quieres jugar a las damas?Do you want to play checkers?
- Vamos a echar una partida de damas esta tarde.Let's have a game of checkers this afternoon.
- Me encanta jugar a las damas en el parque.I love to play checkers in the park.
Example conversation
Two friends are hanging out at a café.
- Elena¿Quieres jugar a las damas conmigo, Alejandro?Do you want to play checkers with me, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, me gustaría mucho jugar a las damas.Yes, I would really like to play checkers.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo traigo el tablero.Perfect, I'll bring the board.
- AlejandroMuy bien, yo busco las fichas.Very well, I'll look for the pieces.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, jugar, las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
