jugar and al

Ricky M.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Jugué al tenis ayer.
I played tennis yesterday.

Where does the 'al' come from here?

Thanks

Asked 6 years ago

InmaKwiziq Head of Spanish, Native Spanish Teacher

Hola Ricky,

In English you say "play tennis" but in Spanish "jugar" as in playing a sport or game you need:

a la + feminine noun

al + masculine noun (a+el are contracted->al)

For example, jugar a la petanca (to play boules), or jugar al baloncesto (to play basketball)

I hope this clarifies it.

Have a look at this [competency id= "5090"]

Inma :))

Like06 years ago

Emanuel B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi. Why is there ya pague and not ya he pagado? Is it not latin american Spanish?

Like06 years ago

Goo S.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

It is a contraction. al is the contraction of a and el.

Like02 years ago

Jugué al tenis ayer.
I played tennis yesterday.

Where does the 'al' come from here?

Thanks

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