jugando
/xuɡando/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for playing is jugando.
jugando is used to describe the act of engaging in an activity for enjoyment or recreation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when referring to playing soccer, people often say jugar al fútbol. Additionally, it is common in Spain to use the phrase jugar videojuegos when talking about playing video games.
How does it change in a sentence?
jugando is the gerund form of the verb jugar and is used to express continuous actions.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɡando/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the infinitive jugar when you intend to say that someone 'is playing'. Instead, use the gerund jugando to express the continuous action.
Did you know?
- While jugando refers to games and sports, you cannot use it for playing a musical instrument. For that, Spanish speakers use the verb tocar, which literally means 'to touch'.
- The verb jugar can also mean 'to gamble' or 'to bet', so saying you are jugando in a casino has a different connotation than jugando in a park.
- In some Caribbean dialects, the phrase jugando can be used in slang to describe someone who is acting 'shady' or not being serious in a social interaction.
Examples in context
- Está jugando al golf.He is playing golf.This sentence is useful for showing how to use jugando with a specific sport.Tatoeba #1052034 by Shishir, translation #289977 by CK
- Yanni no está jugando.Yanni is not playing.This sentence is useful for using jugando in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #10024885 by manufrutos, translation #10023763 by Amastan
- ¿En dónde está jugando?Where is he playing?This sentence is useful for forming a question using jugando.Tatoeba #1535516 by marcelostockle, translation #1280588 by CM
- Me gusta jugar al fútbol los fines de semana.I like to play soccer on weekends.
- En mi tiempo libre, practico deportes como el tenis y el golf.In my free time, I play sports like tennis and golf.
- La empresa organiza eventos para que los empleados ejecuten actividades lúdicas.The company organizes events for employees to engage in recreational activities.
- ¿Quieres jugar videojuegos después de clase?Do you want to play video games after class?
- Nos juntamos los amigos para echar una partida de cartas.We gather with friends to play a game of cards.
- De pequeño, me gustaba jugar al lego y construir diferentes cosas.When I was little, I used to play with Lego and build different things.
- 230 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro asks Elena where the children are.
- Alejandro¿Qué hacen los niños ahora?What are the children doing now?
- ElenaEstán jugando en el jardín.They are playing in the garden.
- Alejandro¿Están jugando con la pelota?Are they playing with the ball?
- ElenaSí, Alejandro, se están divirtiendo mucho.Yes, Alejandro, they are having a lot of fun.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
