jugar al fútbol
/xuɡaɾ al futbol/from spelling rules
To play football in Spanish is jugar al fútbol.
The phrase jugar al fútbol is used to express the action of playing the sport of football.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English phrase 'play football', the Spanish version requires the article 'el' (which is contained within the contraction 'al') before the name of the sport.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, it is common to omit the 'al' and simply say jugar fútbol, though jugar al fútbol remains widely understood and correct.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the prepositional contraction al (a + el), which is the standard way to express playing a sport in Spanish.
Did you know?
- While jugar al fútbol is the standard phrase, sports enthusiasts often use the term balompié, which literally means 'ball-foot'.
- The verb jugar shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'joke'.
- In many Spanish speaking countries fútbol refers exclusively to what Americans call 'soccer', while 'football' in the US refers to a different sport entirely.
Examples in context
- Quiero jugar al fútbol.I want to play football.This sentence shows how to express a desire to jugar al fútbol.Tatoeba #10357422 by Seael, translation #3734330 by CK
- A Tom le gusta jugar al fútbol.Tom likes to play football.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone likes to jugar al fútbol.Tatoeba #2421847 by Shishir, translation #3428413 by CK
- ¿Quieres jugar al fútbol con nosotros?Do you want to play football with us?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to jugar al fútbol with a group.Tatoeba #2036507 by Shishir, translation #1330906 by CK
- Me gusta jugar al fútbol los fines de semana.I like to play football on weekends.
- El equipo nacional juega al fútbol muy bien.The national team plays football very well.
- ¿Dónde puedo jugar al fútbol en esta ciudad?Where can I play football in this city?
- ¿Vamos a echar una partidita de fútbol este sábado?Shall we have a game of football this Saturday?
- Siempre me gusta echar una partida de fútbol con mis amigos.I always like to play a game of football with my friends.
- Vamos a jugar al fútbolito este domingo en el parque.We are going to play mini-football this Sunday in the park.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their weekend plans.
- Elena¿Qué vas a hacer este sábado, Alejandro?What are you going to do this Saturday, Alejandro?
- AlejandroVoy a jugar al fútbol con mis amigos.I am going to play football with my friends.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Yo prefiero ir al cine.That's great! I prefer to go to the cinema.
- AlejandroTú también deberías venir a jugar al fútbol.You should also come play football.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fútbol, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
