jugar al fútbol
/xuɡaɾ al futbol/from spelling rules
To play football in Spanish is jugar al fútbol.
This phrase is used to describe taking part in a game of football. In many Spanish-speaking countries, fútbol refers specifically to the sport known as soccer in the United States.
Which one should you use?
While jugar al fútbol is the standard way to say one is playing the sport, jugar al fútbolito is used specifically to refer to a small-sided version of the game.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Latin America, the term jugar al fútbolito is commonly used to refer to playing a small-sided version of football.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preposition al (which is a contraction of a + el) because the verb jugar requires the preposition a when it is followed by the name of a sport.
Did you know?
- The verb jugar evolved from the Latin word iocus, which meant 'joke' or 'jest'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a casual game of football is referred to as a pichanga, a term that implies an informal gathering of friends.
- While jugar al fútbol describes the game, Spanish speakers use the word balompié in formal or poetic contexts to refer to the sport.
Examples in context
- Quiero jugar al fútbol.I want to play football.This example is useful for expressing a personal desire to play football with the form jugar al fútbol.Tatoeba #10357422 by Seael, translation #3734330 by CK
- A Tom le gusta jugar al fútbol.Tom likes to play football.This example is useful for expressing a preference or liking for the activity with the form jugar al fútbol.Tatoeba #2421847 by Shishir, translation #3428413 by CK
- ¿Quieres jugar al fútbol con nosotros?Do you want to play football with us?This example is useful for asking someone if they want to join a game with the form jugar al fútbol.Tatoeba #2036507 by Shishir, translation #1330906 by CK
- Me gusta jugar al fútbol en mi tiempo libre.I enjoy playing football in my free time.
- Los jóvenes practican fútbol en el parque todos los fines de semana.The young people practice football in the park every weekend.
- Juan siempre juega al fútbol los sábados con sus amigos.Juan always plays football on Saturdays with his friends.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about their plans for the afternoon.
- Alejandro¿Quieres jugar al fútbol esta tarde?Do you want to play football this afternoon?
- SofíaSí, me encanta jugar al fútbol.Yes, I love playing football.
- AlejandroPerfecto, nos vemos en el campo.Perfect, I'll see you at the field.
- SofíaVale, allí estaré.Okay, I will be there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fútbol, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
