What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hacer deporte translates to 'to do sport' rather than 'to play sports'.
Which one should you use?
You should use hacer deporte when discussing the general concept of physical activity. However, if you name a specific game, such as soccer or basketball, you should switch to the construction jugar al [sport], such as jugar al fútbol.
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard way to refer to the activity is the singular form hacer deporte, but using the plural form hacer deportes is also grammatically correct and common in many Spanish-speaking regions.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ depoɾte/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying jugar deporte. While English speakers often use the verb 'to play' with 'sport', in Spanish you use 'hacer' for the general activity. You only use 'jugar' when you specify a particular sport, such as jugar al fútbol.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of deporte, deportare, originally meant 'to carry away' or 'to banish', referring to carrying one's mind away from daily chores.
- The verb hacer in hacer deporte is a direct descendant of the Latin word facere, which is also the root of the English word 'factory'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you say hacer deporte to describe your weekend, people might assume you are training for a competition rather than just staying fit.
Examples in context
- ¿Te gusta hacer deporte?Do you like playing sports?This sentence is useful for asking if someone enjoys the activity of hacer deporte.Tatoeba #4886559 by wallebot, translation #51626 by CK
- No me gusta hacer deporte.I don't like playing sports.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for hacer deporte.Tatoeba #13706066 by ecorralest101, translation #13706049 by ddnktr
- He vuelto a empezar a hacer deporte.I've started playing sports again.This sentence is useful for describing the act of starting to hacer deporte again.Tatoeba #9928082 by Shishir, translation #9928464 by DJ_Saidez
- Él ha hecho deporte desde muy joven.He has been doing sports since he was very young.
- ¿Quieres jugar al fútbol con nosotros?Do you want to play football with us?
- Nos gusta hacer deportes al aire libre los fines de semana.We like to do outdoor sports on weekends.
- jugar al baloncestoPlay basketball
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about their weekend plans.
- AlejandroQuiero hacer deporte este fin de semana.I want to do sports this weekend.
- María¿Vas a salir a correr, Alejandro?Are you going out for a run, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, es bueno para la salud.Yes, it is good for your health.
- MaríaTienes razón, yo también quiero hacer deporte.You are right, I want to do sports too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deporte, hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
