Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary
Jugar: to play
jugar
Pronunciation: hoo-GAHR (stress the capital letters)
Jugar means “to play” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to play (games, sports)
- How to say it: hoo-GAHR
- Present: yo juego, tú juegas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “jugar” means and how to use it
Jugar means “to play” a game, a sport, or to play around. For musical instruments, use tocar.
How to conjugate “jugar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | juego | I |
| tú | juegas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | juega | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | jugamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | juegan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo jugué, él jugó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | jugado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Juego fútbol los sábados.I play soccer on Saturdays.
- Los niños juegan en el parque.The children play in the park.
- ¿Quieres jugar con nosotros?Do you want to play with us?
Usage tip
Jugar changes its stem: juego, juegas, juega. The first person past is “jugué.” Remember: jugar al fútbol (games) and tocar la guitarra (instruments).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to play” in Spanish?
“to play” in Spanish is “jugar.” It is pronounced hoo-GAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “jugar”?
Say hoo-GAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “jugar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “jugué” and “él” is “jugó.” The past participle is “jugado.”
Practice “jugar” for free
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