billar
/biˈʝaɾ/
The English phrase "pool the game" is translated into Spanish as billar.
billar refers to the game played on a cloth-covered table where players use a cue stick to hit balls into pockets. When referring to the game as a noun, it is typically used with the definite article el billar.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "to play pool" in Spanish, you use the verb jugar followed by the prepositional phrase al billar.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈʝaɾ/
Did you know?
- While billar is the standard term, many players use the English word pool to specifically describe the version with pockets, whereas billar might imply the carom version without them.
- The word billar is used to describe both the sport and the physical pool hall, meaning voy al billar can mean 'I am going to play pool' or 'I am going to the pool hall'.
- The word billar is a direct linguistic descendant of the French word billard, which originally referred to the table rather than the game itself.
Examples in context
- Jugamos al billar en el bar.We play pool at the bar.
- Él es un experto en el billar.He is an expert at pool.
- ¿Quieres jugar una partida de billar?Do you want to play a game of pool?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are at a local sports club.
- María¿Te apetece jugar al billar, Daniel?Do you feel like playing pool, Daniel?
- DanielSí, me encanta el billar.Yes, I love pool.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo traigo los tacos.Perfect, I'll bring the cues.
- DanielMuy bien, vamos a la mesa.Very well, let's go to the table.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry billar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries billar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
