empate
/emˈpate/
The English phrase "tie game" is translated into Spanish as empate.
empate is used to describe a game or match that ends with both teams or players having the same score. To refer to a single tie or a tie game, you can use the phrase un empate.
How does it change in a sentence?
empate is a masculine noun. If you want to describe the action of reaching a tie or the act of drawing, you should use the verb empatar.
How do you pronounce it?
/emˈpate/
Did you know?
- In a competitive context, the phrase empate técnico is often used in politics to describe a situation where two candidates are so close in popularity that it is impossible to declare a winner.
- The term tablas is used in certain Latin American contexts to refer to a tie, specifically in games like chess.
- The verb empatar is used not only for sports but also for matching colors or fabrics. A tailor might empatar two pieces of cloth to ensure they are the exact same shade.
Examples in context
- El partido terminó en un empateThe game ended in a tie
- El partido terminó en empate técnicoThe game ended in a technical tie
- El partido terminó en empate con el mismo número de golesThe game ended in a tie with the same number of goals
- Ambos equipos se quedaron en empateBoth teams ended in a tie
- El partido terminó en un empate.The match ended in a tie game.
- Fue un empate muy emocionante.It was a very exciting tie game.
- No hubo un ganador, solo un empate.There was no winner, only a tie game.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing a soccer match.
- Daniel¿Viste el partido de ayer?Did you see yesterday's game?
- LucíaSí, pero terminó en empate.Yes, but it ended in a tie.
- DanielFue un resultado justo.It was a fair result.
- LucíaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry empate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
