jugar el juego
/xuɡaɾ el xweɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'play the game' is translated into Spanish as jugar el juego.
This phrase means to take part in a game or sport according to its rules. However, in most natural contexts, Spanish speakers simply use the verb jugar alone rather than adding el juego to express playing a specific game. It is important to distinguish between different types of 'playing': use jugar for games and sports, but use tocar if you mean 'to play' a musical instrument.
Which one should you use?
While jugar el juego is the direct translation, other forms may be more appropriate depending on the context. Use Participar en el juego to emphasize the act of participation. If you are referring specifically to a sports game in an informal way, use Echar un partido. If you are talking about video games informally, use Echarse una partida.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you play a specific sport, the verb jugar is typically followed by the preposition a and a definite article, such as in the phrase jugar al fútbol.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɡaɾ el xweɡo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use jugar el juego as a literal translation, but it sounds redundant and unnatural to native speakers.
Did you know?
- While it means 'to play', the verb jugar is etymologically linked to the English word 'joke'. Both stem from the Latin word iocus, which originally referred to a jest or a prank.
- The verb jugar is the only verb in the Spanish language that undergoes a specific vowel change from 'u' to 'ue' in its conjugation, such as in 'juego'.
- If you want to play a game of cards or a specific session of a video game, you would use the word partida rather than juego.
Examples in context
- Nos preparamos para jugar el juego este fin de semana.We are getting ready to play the game this weekend.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are at a board game cafe.
- LucíaJavier, ¿estás listo para jugar el juego?Javier, are you ready to play the game?
- JavierSí, pero primero explícame las reglas.Yes, but first explain the rules to me.
- LucíaEs muy simple, solo tienes que mover el peón.It is very simple, you just have to move the pawn.
- JavierPerfecto, ahora yo quiero jugar el juego.Perfect, now I want to play the game.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, juego, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
