The verbs jugar and tocar both mean "to play" in Spanish, but they are used in different contexts. Understanding when to use each verb will help you speak more naturally and accurately.
Jugar: to play games or sports
The verb jugar is used to talk about playing games, sports, or any activity that involves rules or competition. It is an irregular verb (u → ue in most forms).
Usage of jugar
- Used for playing games (e.g., board games, video games).
- Used for playing sports (e.g., soccer, tennis).
- Often followed by the preposition a when specifying the game or sport.
Examples of jugar
- Juego al ajedrez los sábados. — I play chess on Saturdays.
- ¿Jugamos al fútbol esta tarde? — Shall we play soccer this afternoon?
- Mis hermanos juegan videojuegos juntos. — My siblings play video games together.
Conjugation of jugar (present tense)
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Yo juego al tenis. | I play tennis. |
| tú | Tú juegas en el parque. | You play in the park. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Ella juega ajedrez. | She plays chess. |
| nosotros | Nosotros jugamos fútbol. | We play soccer. |
| vosotros | Vosotros jugáis juegos de mesa. | You all play board games. |
| ellos/as/Uds. | Ellos juegan videojuegos. | They play video games. |
Tocar: to play musical instruments or to touch
The verb tocar has two main meanings: "to play" (when referring to musical instruments) and "to touch." When used in the context of music, tocar means to perform or play an instrument.
Usage of tocar
- Used for playing musical instruments.
- Used to describe physically touching something.
- When talking about instruments, no preposition is needed.
Examples of tocar
- Toco la guitarra todas las noches. — I play the guitar every night.
- ¿Tocas el piano? — Do you play the piano?
- No toques eso, por favor. — Don’t touch that, please.
Conjugation of tocar (present tense)
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Yo toco el piano. | I play the piano. |
| tú | Tú tocas la batería. | You play the drums. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Él toca el violín. | He plays the violin. |
| nosotros | Nosotros tocamos la flauta. | We play the flute. |
| vosotros | Vosotros tocáis la guitarra. | You all play the guitar. |
| ellos/as/Uds. | Ellos tocan en la orquesta. | They play in the orchestra. |
Summary: jugar vs. tocar
| Aspect | Jugar | Tocar |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Play games or sports | Play musical instruments / touch |
| Usage | Juegos, deportes (games, sports); often jugar a ... | Instrumentos musicales (musical instruments); también “tocar” algo físicamente |
| Example | Juego al fútbol. | Toco el piano. |
| Note | Irregular (u → ue) | Regular verb |
| Preposition | a (when specifying game/sport) | No preposition (when referring to instruments) |
More Examples
| Context | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sports | Mi hermano juega al tenis. | My brother plays tennis. |
| Games | ¿Quieres jugar a las cartas? | Do you want to play cards? |
| Music | Ella toca el violonchelo. | She plays the cello. |
| Music | Tocamos juntos en la banda. | We play together in the band. |
| Caution | No juegues con fuego. | Don’t play with fire. |
| Caution | No toques el fuego. | Don’t touch the fire. |
Understanding the difference between jugar and tocar will help you express yourself more precisely in Spanish. Use jugar for games and sports, and tocar for musical instruments or touching.
Mi hermano juega al tenis.
My brother plays tennis.
Jugar + a + deporte means to play that sport.
No juegues con fuego.
Don’t play with fire.
Jugar con fuego means “to play with fire” literally and warns against dangerous behavior.
Flashcards (1 of 18)
- Pronoun: yo
- English Example: I play tennis.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
