Sports types vocabulary in Spanish, covering various categories to help you describe and discuss different kinds of sports accurately.
Explore the essential Spanish vocabulary for naming and describing different types of sports. This guide covers a wide range of categories, from team sports to individual competitions, helping you talk about any athletic activity with confidence.
Team Sports
Team sports involve groups of players working together to compete against another team. These sports emphasize teamwork, strategy, and communication.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el fútbol | los futboles | soccer | soccer games | Juego al fútbol con mis amigos. | I play soccer with my friends. |
| el baloncesto | los baloncestos | basketball | basketball games | El baloncesto es muy popular. | Basketball is very popular. |
| el voleibol | los voleiboles | volleyball | volleyball games | Jugamos al voleibol en la playa. | We play volleyball on the beach. |
| el béisbol | los béisboles | baseball | baseball games | El béisbol es un deporte americano. | Baseball is an American sport. |
| el rugby | los rugbies | rugby | rugby games | El rugby es un deporte muy físico. | Rugby is a very physical sport. |
El ___ es muy popular.
Which Spanish word means 'basketball'?
baloncesto
‘Baloncesto’ means basketball in Spanish. ‘Fútbol’ is soccer, ‘rugby’ is rugby, and ‘voleibol’ is volleyball.
Individual Sports
Individual sports are performed by one person competing alone, focusing on personal skill, endurance, and technique.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el tenis | los tenises | tennis | tennis matches | Juego al tenis los fines de semana. | I play tennis on weekends. |
| el atletismo | — | athletics/track and field | — | El atletismo incluye carreras y saltos. | Athletics includes running and jumping. |
| el boxeo | — | boxing | — | El boxeo es un deporte de combate. | Boxing is a combat sport. |
| el ciclismo | — | cycling | — | El ciclismo es bueno para la resistencia. | Cycling is good for endurance. |
| la gimnasia | — | gymnastics | — | La gimnasia requiere mucha flexibilidad. | Gymnastics requires a lot of flexibility. |
El ___ incluye carreras y saltos.
Which sport includes 'carreras y saltos' in Spanish?
atletismo
‘Atletismo’ (athletics) includes running and jumping. Gymnastics, boxing, and cycling do not.
Water Sports
Water sports take place in or on water, requiring special skills for swimming, balance, and sometimes speed.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la natación | — | swimming | — | La natación es un deporte completo. | Swimming is a complete sport. |
| el surf | — | surfing | — | Hice surf en la playa ayer. | I went surfing at the beach yesterday. |
| el remo | — | rowing | — | El remo fortalece la espalda y los brazos. | Rowing strengthens the back and arms. |
| el buceo | — | diving/scuba diving | — | El buceo permite explorar el océano. | Diving allows you to explore the ocean. |
| el waterpolo | — | water polo | — | El waterpolo es muy exigente físicamente. | Water polo is very physically demanding. |
Winter Sports
Winter sports are played on snow or ice, often involving speed, balance, and sometimes teamwork.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el esquí | — | skiing | — | Me gusta esquiar en las montañas. | I like to ski in the mountains. |
| el snowboarding | — | snowboarding | — | El snowboarding es un deporte extremo. | Snowboarding is an extreme sport. |
| el patinaje sobre hielo | — | ice skating | — | Practico patinaje sobre hielo los fines de semana. | I practice ice skating on weekends. |
| el hockey sobre hielo | — | ice hockey | — | El hockey sobre hielo es muy rápido. | Ice hockey is very fast-paced. |
| el biatlón | — | biathlon | — | El biatlón combina esquí y tiro. | The biathlon combines skiing and shooting. |
El ___ es muy rápido.
Which Spanish phrase means 'ice hockey'?
hockey sobre hielo
‘Hockey sobre hielo’ is ice hockey. ‘Hockey sobre césped’ is field hockey, ‘patinaje artístico’ is figure skating, and 'biatlón' is biathlon.
Combat Sports
Combat sports involve direct physical competition between opponents, focusing on technique, strength, and strategy.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el judo | — | judo | — | Practico judo en el gimnasio comunitario. | I practice judo at the community gym. |
| el karate | — | karate | — | El karate enseña disciplina y respeto. | Karate teaches discipline and respect. |
| el taekwondo | — | taekwondo | — | El taekwondo mejora la agilidad y fuerza. | Taekwondo improves agility and strength. |
| la esgrima | — | fencing | — | La esgrima es un deporte de precisión. | Fencing is a sport of precision. |
| el boxeo | — | boxing | — | El boxeo requiere mucha resistencia. | Boxing requires a lot of endurance. |
Racquet Sports
Racquet sports involve hitting a ball or shuttlecock with a racquet, focusing on agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el tenis | — | tennis | — | Juego al tenis con mi vecino. | I play tennis with my neighbor. |
| el bádminton | — | badminton | — | El bádminton es rápido y divertido. | Badminton is fast and fun. |
| el pádel | — | padel | — | El pádel es muy popular en España. | Padel is very popular in Spain. |
| el squash | — | squash | — | Jugamos al squash después del trabajo. | We play squash after work. |
| el frontón | — | fronton | — | El frontón es tradicional en el País Vasco. | Fronton is traditional in the Basque Country. |
Athletic Events
These are specific types of competitions or activities, often part of larger athletic meets or Olympic-style games.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la carrera | las carreras | race | races | Participé en una carrera de 5 km. | I participated in a 5 km race. |
| el salto de altura | los saltos de altura | high jump | high jumps | El salto de altura requiere mucha técnica. | High jump requires a lot of technique. |
| el lanzamiento de jabalina | los lanzamientos de jabalina | javelin throw | javelin throws | El lanzamiento de jabalina es espectacular. | The javelin throw is spectacular. |
| la marcha atlética | — | racewalking | — | La marcha atlética es muy exigente. | Racewalking is very demanding. |
| el relevo | los relevos | relay | relays | El equipo ganó el relevo 4x100. | The team won the 4x100 relay. |
El equipo ganó el ___ 4x100.
What is the Spanish word for 'relay'?
relevo
‘Relevo’ means relay. ‘Carrera’ is race, ‘salto’ is jump, and ‘lanzamiento’ is throw.
Mind Sports
Mind sports focus on strategy, mental acuity, and concentration rather than physical exertion.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el ajedrez | — | chess | — | Juego al ajedrez con mi abuelo. | I play chess with my grandfather. |
| el go | — | go | — | El go es muy complejo y antiguo. | Go is very complex and ancient. |
| el póquer | — | poker | — | Jugué al póquer toda la noche. | I played poker all night. |
| el bridge | — | bridge | — | El bridge es popular entre los mayores. | Bridge is popular among older adults. |
| los eSports | — | eSports | — | Los eSports atraen a millones de espectadores. | eSports attract millions of viewers. |
Use this guide to confidently name and discuss any sport in Spanish, whether you're talking about your favorite game, trying a new activity, or following international competitions.
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- English Singular: soccer
- English Plural: soccer games
- English Example: I play soccer with my friends.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
