Why is it “juego al tenis”? Is it the Spanish direct translation of “I play at the tennis”"?

Johan V.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why is it “juego al tenis”? Is it the Spanish direct translation of “I play at the tennis”"?

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Aditya

Yes, it is not uncommon to hear and use jugar + sport without the preposition or the article in Latin America (not in Spain); I imagine it's because of the English language influence, so, for example:

Los niños juegan fútbol en el parque.

The kids play football in the park.

Saludos

Inma

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Johan

In Spanish when you use verb "jugar" as in playing a sport/ game we use "al", "a la", "a los" or "a las":

"Juego al tenis" (I play tennis)*

"Juego a la pelota" (I play [with] a ball)

"Juego a los dados" (I play darts)

"Juego a las cartas" (I play cards)

*Note that here "al" is a contraction of a + el. 

Un saludos

Inma

Aditya B.A1Kwiziq community member

Hello

Could there be a situation where we don't use al with the word jugar?

Johan V. asked:

Why is it “juego al tenis”? Is it the Spanish direct translation of “I play at the tennis”"?

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