¿a qué estás jugando?
The English phrase "what game are you playing?" is translated into Spanish as ¿a qué estás jugando?
This question is used to ask someone which specific game or sport they are currently participating in. While the phrase focuses on the action, you can refer to a game as a partida or, if it is a digital game, as a videojuego.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the present simple form ¿a qué juegas? as a common alternative to the present progressive ¿a qué estás jugando? to ask the same thing. If you are asking a group of people instead of one person, change estás to están to form ¿a qué están jugando?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often omit the preposition a, but in Spanish, you must include it to say ¿a qué estás jugando? instead of ¿qué estás jugando?
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb jugar can be used to describe flirting or playing romantic games, making the phrase ¿a qué estás jugando? a common way to question someone's intentions in a relationship.
- Using the phrase ¿estás jugando conmigo? shifts the meaning from a literal game to asking if someone is tricking or mocking you.
- While jugar is used for games, Spanish uses the verb tocar for musical instruments, which literally means 'to touch'.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿a qué estás jugando?Hi, what are you playing?
- ¿a qué estás jugando ahora?What game are you playing now?
- Pareces muy concentrada, ¿a qué estás jugando?You look very concentrated, what game are you playing?
Example conversation
Javier enters the living room and sees María playing on her tablet.
- JavierMaría, ¿a qué estás jugando?María, what game are you playing?
- MaríaUn juego de estrategia nuevo.A new strategy game.
- JavierSe ve muy divertido.It looks very fun.
- MaríaSí, ¡puedes probarlo si quieres!Yes, you can try it if you want!
