How to Say “Play” in Italian

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giocare
/d͡ʒoˈka.re/
The English verb play can be translated into Italian as giocare.
giocare means to act in a manner such that one has fun. If you wish to indicate the object or person you are playing with, such as a toy or a person, use the preposition con.
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)

Which one should you use?

While giocare is used for games and sports, you must use suonare when 'play' refers to a musical instrument. Similarly, if you are talking about playing a role in a theatrical performance, you should use recitare. Note that while the noun gioco refers to a playful activity, the noun dramma refers to a theatrical performance.

Related words

Playful activity (noun): gioco.

Theatrical performance (noun): dramma.

How does it change in a sentence?

When playing a game or a sport, the verb giocare is typically followed by the preposition a.

How do you pronounce it?

The word is pronounced /dʒoˈka.re/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.

What mistakes should you avoid?

English speakers often mistakenly use giocare for musical contexts, such as saying giocare un'orchestra. Since giocare is strictly for games, you should use suonare for music instead.

Did you know?

  • The verb giocare can also mean 'to affect' or 'to influence' in certain contexts, such as when a factor gioca a favore (plays in favor) of a situation.
  • The root of giocare is the Latin verb iocārī, which means 'to jest' or 'to joke'.
  • The word giocattolo, meaning 'toy', is derived directly from the verb giocare.

Examples in context

  • Sa giocare a golf?
    Do you know how to play golf?
    This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to play golf using giocare.
    Tatoeba #13661860 by Guybrush88, translation #6898859 by CK
  • Sa giocare a poker.
    He knows how to play poker.
    This sentence is useful for stating that someone knows how to play poker using giocare.
    Tatoeba #2777421 by Guybrush88, translation #1751899 by Amastan
  • Non giocare con me.
    Don't play with me.
    This sentence is useful for an imperative telling someone not to play with you using giocare.
    Tatoeba #2941732 by Guybrush88, translation #2270518 by CK
  • Giocare a calcio
    To play soccer
  • Giocare a carte
    To play cards
  • Suonare il pianoforte
    To play the piano
  • Suonare la chitarra
    To play the guitar
  • Recitare in un film
    To play in a movie
  • Recitare una parte
    To play a role
  • 1078 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Alessandro and Giulia are deciding what to do at the park.

  1. Alessandro

    Giulia, hai voglia di giocare?
    Giulia, do you feel like playing?
  2. Giulia

    Sì, giochiamo a pallavolo!
    Yes, let's play volleyball!
  3. Alessandro

    Ottima idea, prendo la palla.
    Great idea, I'll grab the ball.
  4. Giulia

    Perfetto, io preparo la rete.
    Perfect, I'll set up the net.

Sources

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Blake Edwin
Blake EdwinHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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