pillapilla
/piʝapiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tag, the game" is translated into Spanish as pillapilla.
pillapilla refers to the children's game where one player chases others to touch them, making the touched person the next chaser.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, pillapilla is a common way to refer to the game of tag.
How do you pronounce it?
/piʝapiʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the person who is 'it' is described using the verb traer, as in la traes, which literally means 'you bring it'. This implies the chaser is carrying an invisible object that must be passed to another player.
- While 'pillapilla' is used in Spain, children in Mexico often call the game mancha, referring to the act of 'staining' or 'marking' the other player.
- The word pilla comes from the verb pillar, which in colloquial Spanish can mean to catch someone doing something wrong or to 'bust' them. This adds a playful sense of 'catching a culprit' to the game.
Examples in context
- ¿Te apetece jugar a la Pilla?Do you feel like playing Tag?
- ¿Os apetece jugar a la Pilla?Do you all feel like playing Tag?
- Ana, ¿te apetece jugar a la Pilla?Ana, do you feel like playing Tag?
- Jugamos al pillapilla en el parque.We play tag in the park.
- ¿Quieres jugar al pillapilla conmigo?Do you want to play tag with me?
- El pillapilla es mi juego favorito.Tag is my favorite game.
Example conversation
Two children are deciding what to do at the playground.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿jugamos al pillapilla?Daniel, shall we play tag?
- DanielSí, pero tú empiezas.Yes, but you start.
- Elena¡Vale! ¡Prepárate!Okay! Get ready!
- Daniel¡No me vas a atrapar!You are not going to catch me!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
