jogar
/ʒoˈɡa(ʁ)/
In Portuguese, the English verb play can be translated as jogar or brincar depending on the context.
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| jogar | /ʒoˈɡa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ʒoˈɡa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| brincar | /bɾĩˈka(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /bɾĩˈka(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
Use brincar when referring to children playing, playing with toys or engaging in unstructured and imaginative play, such as playing with a doll or playing house.
Which one should you use?
jogar is used for sports and games, whereas brincar is used for fun, imaginative or non-competitive play.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒoˈɡa(ʁ)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use jogar when they should use brincar to describe children playing with toys or playing in a park.
Did you know?
- The verb brincar is related to the word brinco, which means 'an earring', suggesting a connection to something that 'glitters' or 'flashes'.
- While jogar is for games, if you want to say you are 'playing' a musical instrument, you must use a completely different verb, tocar.
- While brincar is usually for children, adults use it in the phrase estou brincando to say 'I am kidding'.
Examples in context
- Vá jogar com Tom.Go play with Tom.This sentence uses jogar to suggest playing with a person.Tatoeba #10166791 by DavidDias, translation #2050549 by CK
- O que vamos jogar?What shall we play?This sentence uses jogar to ask what game will be played.Tatoeba #980034 by alexmarcelo, translation #24745 by Luornu
- Eu sei jogar tênis.I can play tennis.This sentence uses jogar to express the ability to play a sport.Tatoeba #871873 by alexmarcelo, translation #255078 by CK
- Você gosta de jogar tênis?Do you like to play tennis?
- Os jogadores de futebol jogam profissionalmente.Football players play professionally.
- Vamos jogar xadrez no fim de semana.Let's play chess on the weekend.
- Adoro brincar com meu cachorro.I love playing with my dog.
- Vamos brincar de esconde-esconde?Let's play hide-and-seek?
- Ela adora brincar de boneca.She loves playing with dolls.
- 568 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are talking about their weekend plans.
- JulianaVocê quer jogar videogame hoje?Do you want to play video games today?
- GabrielSim, eu adoro jogar esse jogo.Yes, I love playing this game.
- JulianaVamos jogar juntos na minha casa.Let's play together at my house.
- GabrielCombinado, eu vou para lá agora.Agreed, I'm going there now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “play” translations and entries jogar, brincar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brincar, jogar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
