Ways to say it
| Spanish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| espacio infantil | /espaθjo infantil/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /espasjo infantil/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine | |
| patio lúdico/recreativo (infantil) | masculine | ||
| zona de juego/recreación/recreo (infantil) | feminine | ||
| área de juegos | el | /aɾea de xweɡos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
These terms all refer to an open space designed for children to play in.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase área de juegos literally means 'area of games'.
Which one should you use?
While área de juegos is a general term for any playground, zona de recreo often refers specifically to a schoolyard or the area where children go during school recess. The term patio lúdico/recreativo (infantil) is a more specialized way to describe a play or educational courtyard.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Patio lúdico is a more formal or technical term, frequently used in educational or urban planning contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, the term patio de recreo is more commonly used. In countries like Argentina and Uruguay, the word arenero is used specifically to refer to a sandbox within a playground.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase área de juegos to mean 'the playground', use the masculine article el (el área de juegos). Although área is a feminine noun, the masculine article is used in the singular form to avoid a phonetic clash with the stressed 'a'.
How do you pronounce it?
/espaθjo infantil/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Los niños disfrutan jugando en el parque infantil.The children enjoy playing in the playground.
- Vamos al patio de recreo después de la escuela.Let's go to the playground after school.
- Los niños se divierten en el parque.The kids have fun at the playground.
- Construyamos castillos de arena en el arenero del parque.Let's build sand castles in the sandbox at the playground.
- El parque tiene un espacio infantil muy grande.The park has a very large playground.
Example conversation
A couple deciding where to take their children.
- LucíaVamos al espacio infantil del parque.Let's go to the park playground.
- AlejandroMe parece una idea excelente, Lucía.I think that's an excellent idea, Lucía.
- LucíaLos niños quieren usar el columpio.The children want to use the swing.
- AlejandroEntonces vamos ahora mismo, Lucía.Then let's go right now, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “playground” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, espacio, infantil, patio, zona, área, CC BY-SA 4.0.
