Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fútbol | /ˈfudbol/ | masculine |
| futbol | /fudˈbol/ | Mexico, alternative form |
| balompié | /balomˈpje/ | masculine |
| balón-pie | /balonpje/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| pambol | /pamˈbol/ | Mexico |
To describe a goal being scored, the word gol is used universally. Fans of the sport are generally referred to as los hinchas.
What does it mean word for word?
The term balompié is a compound word consisting of balón (ball) and pie (foot).
Which one should you use?
While fútbol is the standard term used in most situations, balompié is used in more formal or journalistic contexts. balón-pie is another form of the word.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
balompié is a more formal or literary way to refer to the sport. pambol is a colloquialism used in Mexico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may see the spelling futbol as an alternative to fútbol and you may also hear the colloquialism pambol. In Argentina, it is common to use the informal term fulbo. In some parts of Spain, the term tanto is used to mean a goal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the sport in general, the masculine article el is used with fútbol.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfudbol/
When do people say it?
In Spain, the nickname La Roja (The Red One) is often used to refer to the Spanish national soccer team.
Did you know?
- The term hinchas for soccer fans comes from the verb hinchar, which means 'to inflate' or 'to swell'.
- In Argentina, fans use the slang term fulbo, which is a playful linguistic inversion of the word fútbol.
- The word fútbol is a loanword borrowed directly from the English word 'football'.
Examples in context
- El fútbol es así.Soccer is like that.This sentence illustrates a general statement about soccer using fútbol.Tatoeba #5464077 by Seael, translation #9821497 by DJ_Saidez
- El fútbol es bueno.Soccer is good.This sentence describes soccer as being good using fútbol.Tatoeba #1353970 by leoruilova, translation #513075 by Luornu
- Sé jugar al fútbol.I can play soccer.This sentence expresses the ability to play soccer using fútbol.Tatoeba #10363112 by Seael, translation #253859 by CK
- El fútbol es el deporte más popular del mundo.Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.
- 224 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking about their weekend plans.
- María¿Quieres jugar al fútbol mañana?Do you want to play soccer tomorrow?
- DanielSí, me encanta el fútbol.Yes, I love soccer.
- MaríaGenial, Daniel. Yo llevo el balón.Great, Daniel. I'll bring the ball.
- DanielPerfecto, nos vemos en la cancha.Perfect, see you at the field.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soccer” translations and entries fútbol, futbol, balompié, pambol, 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 balompié, fútbol, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
