Which verb?
Jugar, tocar, hacer, practicar
English “play” covers both sport and music. Spanish splits it: jugar for games and sport, tocar (literally “touch”) for instruments.
jugar ahoo-GAR ah · games and sport
tocartoh-KAR · instruments
hacerah-THEHR · activities
practicarprak-tee-KAR · any sport, formal
Talking about what you like
Me encanta, me gusta, no me gusta nada
Gustar works back to front: the activity is the subject and me, te, le… shows who enjoys it. A scale from love to hate:
Meto-meencantadelightsbailar.to-dance
Meto-megustapleasesmuchoa-lotcorrer.to-run
Meto-megustapleasesleer.to-read
PrefieroI-prefernadar.to-swim
Nonotmeto-megustapleasescocinar.to-cook
OdioI-hateel golf.the golf
Talking about a match
El partido, ganar, empatar, marcar un gol
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| el partidoel par-TEE-doh | match, game | Hay partido esta noche.AI par-TEE-doh ES-tah NOH-chehThere’s a match tonight. |
| el equipoel eh-KEE-poh | team | ¿De qué equipo eres?deh keh eh-KEE-poh EH-resWhich team do you support? |
| ganargah-NAR | to win | Ganamos dos a uno.gah-NAH-mohs dohs ah OO-nohWe won two–one. |
| perderpehr-DEHR | to lose | Perdieron en casa.pehr-DYEH-ron en KAH-sahThey lost at home. |
| empatarem-pah-TAR | to draw | Empataron a cero.em-pah-TAH-ron ah THEH-rohIt was a nil–nil draw. |
| marcar un golmar-KAR oon GOL | to score a goal | ¡Ha marcado un golazo!ah mar-KAH-doh oon goh-LAH-thohHe’s scored a cracking goal! |
| el árbitroel AR-bee-troh | referee | ¡Árbitro, eso es falta!AR-bee-troh, EH-soh es FAL-tahRef, that’s a foul! |
| la aficiónlah ah-fee-THYON | the fans | La afición canta.lah ah-fee-THYON KAN-tahThe fans are singing. |
Free time in Spain
El Clásico, el pádel, el paseo
El Clásicoel KLAH-see-kohReal Madrid against FC Barcelona, twice a season: the most watched match in the Spanish league, la Liga.
El pádelel PAH-delA doubles racket sport in a glass court, hugely popular in Spain: jugar al pádel.
El paseoel pah-SEH-ohThe evening stroll through town: dar un paseo is a pastime in itself.
Las peñaslahs PEH-nyahsClubs of friends or fans who meet to watch matches, cook or play cards.
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