"Juego" is used in Spanish to denote a game or play in various contexts, including recreational activities, sports, and any structured form of competition or entertainment. The frequency of use is high in both oral and written contexts, though it can be slightly more common in conversational language given its association with leisure activities.
The game of chess is very popular among mathematicians.
Durante las vacaciones, los niños disfrutan mucho del juego al aire libre.
During the holidays, children really enjoy playing outside.
El juego se detuvo cuando comenzó la lluvia.
The word "juego" appears in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few:
"The wordplay in his speech was very clever."
Dar juego
"That topic always provides plenty of discussion."
Estar en juego
"The lives of many people are at stake in this decision."
No hay juego limpio
"In this business, there's no fair play; everyone competes unfairly."
Juego sucio
"We do not tolerate dirty play in our team."
Un juego de niños
The word "juego" comes from the Latin "iocum," meaning "joke, jest, game." The transition reflects a shift in Latin and the various uses of the word in Romance languages, leading to its wide range of meanings—both playful and serious—in Spanish.
Actividad (activity)
Antonyms:
By understanding the different contexts and idiomatic expressions involving "juego," one can appreciate its versatile use in the Spanish language.