When describing a game why do you need to write "al" ?

Question

for example: mis amigos y yo jugamos al baloncesto. why isnt it just mis amigos y yo jugamos baloncesto.

Answer 1

It's not because you are talking about a game, it's because you are using the verb "jugar". When you use that verb it needs the "a" preposition to describe what type of game you are playing, and when followed by "el" it becomes "al". As for "why?", there is no why. At some point you just have to admit that things are different in each language.

why. At some point... - Echoline, Sep 30, 2010

Answer 2

Spanish requires prepositons after many verbs, just like English, but the verbs and prepositions are different. Jugar happens to require the prepositon a before an object.

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Answer 3

Why do I "look at something" but "miro algo"

It is the way it is due to the historical development of the languages and how people have chosen to agree to communicate with each other in each respective language.

How come I work at something (like learning Spanish) but never play at something. Maybe because work never ends and play does? - Stadt, Sep 30, 2010

To play at something means to do it, but not seriously. - lorenzo9, Oct 1, 2010