jugar al ajedrez
/xuɡaɾ al axedɾeθ/from spelling rules
To play chess in Spanish is jugar al ajedrez.
This phrase is used to express the action of engaging in the board game of chess.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'to play at the chess'.
Which one should you use?
While jugar al ajedrez is the general way to say one plays chess, you can use jugar una partida de ajedrez if you want to specify that you are playing a single match or a single game.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preposition al (a combination of a and el) because the verb jugar requires the preposition a when referring to playing a game or a sport.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɡaɾ al axedɾeθ/
Did you know?
- The word ajedrez is a linguistic traveler that traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word caturaṅga, which refers to the four divisions of the military.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a friendly match of ajedrez is often played in public plazas or cafes as a social ritual rather than a private hobby.
- While jugar is used for chess, Spanish uses different verbs for other types of 'play', such as tocar for playing a musical instrument.
Examples in context
- Sé jugar al ajedrez.I can play chess.This example shows how to express the ability to play chess using jugar al ajedrez.Tatoeba #13705447 by ecorralest101, translation #13705444 by Babelball
- Quiero jugar al ajedrez.I want to play chess.This example shows how to express a desire to play chess using jugar al ajedrez.Tatoeba #12886128 by ecorralest101, translation #3825771 by CK
- ¿Te gusta jugar al ajedrez?Do you like to play chess?This example shows how to ask if someone enjoys playing chess using jugar al ajedrez.Tatoeba #13705813 by ecorralest101, translation #13705811 by ddnktr
- Me gusta jugar al ajedrez los domingos en el parqueI like to play chess on Sundays in the park
- Los estudiantes practican ajedrez en sus horas libresThe students practice chess in their free time
- En la sala de juegos, los amigos juegan a las damas y al ajedrezIn the game room, friends play checkers and chess
- Vamos a echar una partida de ajedrezLet's play a game of chess
- Quiero aprender a jugar al ajedrezI want to learn to play chess
- No puedo esperar a jugar con mi abuelo a las damas y al ajedrezI can't wait to play checkers and chess with my grandfather
- ¿Vamos a echar una partida de ajedrez esta tarde?Shall we play a game of chess this afternoon?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are at a cafe in the afternoon.
- María¿Quieres jugar al ajedrez conmigo?Do you want to play chess with me?
- AlejandroSí, me encantaría, María.Yes, I would love to, María.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo traigo el tablero.Perfect, I will bring the board.
- AlejandroMuy bien, yo traigo las piezas.Very well, I will bring the pieces.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ajedrez, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
