¿A qué juegas?
The English phrase "what are you playing?" is translated into Spanish as ¿A qué juegas?
An informal way to express this is ¿Qué estás jugando?, which focuses more on the specific object or activity currently in progress. You can also use ¿Qué juego estás jugando? to ask specifically, "What game are you playing?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿A qué juegas? is the standard way to ask about the game being played, ¿Qué estás jugando? focuses more on the specific object or activity currently in progress.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, use ¿A qué juegan?
Did you know?
- If someone says ¿A qué juegas? with a suspicious tone, they aren't asking about a game but are actually asking 'What are you up to?' or 'What is your angle?'
- In Spanish, the verb jugar is used for playing games, but if you are playing a musical instrument, you must use the verb tocar, which also means 'to touch'.
- The word jugar shares a root with the word juglar, which referred to the medieval street performers who played music and recited poetry.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿qué estás jugando?Hey, what are you playing?
- ¿Qué juego estás jugando, amigo?What game are you playing, friend?
- Veo que tienes cartas, ¿a qué juegas?I see you have cards, what are you playing?
Example conversation
Elena enters the room and sees Mateo with a game controller.
- ElenaHola Mateo, ¿a qué juegas?Hi Mateo, what are you playing?
- MateoEstoy jugando un juego de carreras.I am playing a racing game.
- Elena¿Es divertido?Is it fun?
- MateoSí, es muy emocionante.Yes, it is very exciting.
