pillapilla
/piʝapiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'tag game' is translated into Spanish as pillapilla.
A children's game where one player chases others to touch them and make them the chaser.
Which one should you use?
In Spain, the term is often used with a hyphen as pilla-pilla to refer to the game of tag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations are common for this game. In Mexico, it is commonly called el juego de la traes. In Colombia, the term Juego de pique is often used. In Argentina, you will hear El juego del mancha to mean 'the game of touch'.
How do you pronounce it?
/piʝapiʝa/
Did you know?
- The word pilla comes from the verb pillar, which in a non-game context is common Spanish slang for 'to catch' or 'to bust' someone doing something wrong.
- The Argentinian term mancha refers to a stain or a spot, implying that the person who is 'it' leaves a mark on whoever they touch.
- In Mexico, the person who is 'it' is said to have 'la traes', which literally translates to 'you have it'.
Examples in context
- El juego de persecución es una forma divertida de mantener a los niños activosThe tag game is a fun way to keep kids active
- En el parque público, los niños juegan al pilla-pilla con alegríaIn the public park, children play tag with joy
- Vamos a jugar al pilla-pilla en el patio traseroLet's play tag in the backyard
- A los niños les encanta jugar a la pillapilla.Children love playing tag.
- ¿Quieres jugar a la pillapilla en el parque?Do you want to play tag in the park?
- Estamos jugando a la pillapilla en el recreo.We are playing tag during recess.
Example conversation
Two children are deciding what to do in the backyard.
- MateoMaría, ¿jugamos a la pillapilla?María, shall we play tag?
- María¡Sí, Mateo! Yo empiezo siendo la que persigue.Yes, Mateo! I will start as the chaser.
- MateoVale, ¡prepárate para correr!Okay, get ready to run!
- María¡No me vas a alcanzar!You won't catch me!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
