jugar

Senses

1. 1.

   to play (a game or sport)

   engage in recreational activity with rules or competition

2. 2.

   to play (an instrument)

   produce music by operating a musical instrument

3. 3.

   to gamble

   stake money or valuables on the outcome of an uncertain event

4. 4.

   to act a role; to pretend

   perform as an actor or simulate behavior

Examples

• "Los niños juegan en el parque."

  The children play in the park.

• "Mi hermana juega la guitarra muy bien."

  My sister plays the guitar very well.

• "No debes jugar dinero que no puedas perder."

  You shouldn't gamble money you can't afford to lose.

Usage

Jugar is a stem-changing verb (o→ue): juego, juegas, juega, jugamos, jugáis, juegan. The most common sense is "to play (a game or sport)." When referring to playing a musical instrument, the object is often preceded by the article (juega la guitarra). Colloquially, "jugar a" + game (jugar al fútbol, jugar a las cartas) is standard.