Which one should you use?
While juego is used for games, if the context refers to a competitive sports match, partido is often a more natural choice, such as in the phrase ganar este partido.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expression ¡A echarle ganas y ganar el partido! is used to mean "let's give it our all and win the match!" In Spain, the phrase ¡A por la victoria en este partido! is used to mean "let's go for the victory in this game!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ganar este juego is the infinitive form, which translates to "to win this game". In the present tense, the verb ganar changes to ganas when used with the informal "tú" (you), resulting in ganas este juego. To express that someone won this game in the past, use the form ganó este juego.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡanaɾ este xweɡo/
Did you know?
- Because ganar means both 'to win' and 'to earn', a phrase like ganar la vida literally means 'to win life' but actually translates to 'to make a living'.
- The Spanish word juego is a direct relative of the English word 'joke'. Both come from the Latin jocus, which referred to a pastime or a piece of play.
Examples in context
- Tenemos que ganar este juego.We have to win this game.
- Queremos ganar este juego.We want to win this game.
- Es difícil ganar este juego.It is difficult to win this game.
- Debemos ganar este juego hoy.We must win this game today.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are playing a board game at home.
- AlejandroMaría, tenemos que ganar este juego.María, we have to win this game.
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, estoy muy concentrada.Yes, Alejandro, I am very focused.
- Alejandro¡Mira, casi logramos ganar este juego!Look, we almost managed to win this game!
- María¡Es verdad, qué emocionante es!It's true, how exciting this is!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries este, ganar, juego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
