deportista
/depoɾˈtista/
The English phrase 'sports player' is translated into Spanish as deportista.
deportista is a broad term used to describe someone who is physically active, athletic or practices sports, whether as a professional or a hobby. It is often used to describe a person's lifestyle or general athleticism. In a more specific context, if you are discussing a player's specific position in a sport, you use the verb ser followed by that position.
Which one should you use?
While deportista refers broadly to someone who practices sports, the word jugador is more specific to someone playing a particular game or a specific match, such as a soccer player. Additionally, the slang term crack is a popular way to denote an outstanding or exceptional sports player.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, deportista is used more frequently than atleta to refer to sports players.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word deportista is gender-neutral in its form. The same word is used to refer to both male and female athletes. To form the plural, deportistas, add -s to the end because the word ends in a consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
/depoɾˈtista/
Did you know?
- If a sports player is described as a crack, it is an honorific. In Spanish, this doesn't mean they are 'breaking' something, but that they possess a level of skill that is almost supernatural.
- In some contexts, deportista is used as a synonym for 'healthy' or 'fit'. A person who avoids junk food and exercises regularly is often described as muy deportista even if they do not play a specific sport.
- The suffix '-ista' in deportista traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek term '-istēs', used to denote a person performing a specific action.
Examples in context
- El deportista brasileño ganó una medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos.The Brazilian sportsman won a gold medal in the Olympic Games.
- El jugador profesional de tenis ha ganado múltiples campeonatos internacionales.The professional tennis player has won multiple international championships.
- Ese deportista es un ídolo para muchos niños en el barrio.That sports player is an idol for many children in the neighborhood.
- Messi es uno de los mejores jugadores de fútbol del mundo.Messi is one of the best football players in the world.
- Juego al fútbol con un gran deportista.I play football with a great sportsman.
- Vas a jugar al baloncesto con los jugadores profesionales.You're going to play basketball with the professional players.
- Messi es delantero en el equipo de fútbol Barcelona.Messi is a forward in the Barcelona football team.
- ¡Ella es la capitana del equipo de voleibol!She is the captain of the volleyball team!
- Ella es una deportista muy dedicada.She is a very dedicated sports player.
- Mi hermano es un deportista amateur.My brother is an amateur sports player.
- Ser deportista requiere mucha disciplina.Being a sports player requires much discipline.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their weekend hobbies.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿eres deportista?Alejandro, are you a sports player?
- AlejandroSí, juego al fútbol y al tenis.Yes, I play soccer and tennis.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Yo también soy deportista.That's great! I am a sports player too.
- AlejandroEntonces podemos jugar juntos algún día.Then we can play together some day.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry deportista, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deportista, CC BY-SA 4.0.
