juego vs. partido

Question

I learned the word "partido" from the following sentence:

¿Vas a comer algo antes del partido?

I would like to know the difference between juego and partido.

Can they be used interchangeably when they both mean "game"?

Or, which one sounds more formal?

Answer 1

Yes, if the game has two sides. No, if it is a game just for one player. The latter has to be used with "game=juego only.

edit:

If the game is for one player only, like a solitaire, we use "juego", never partido.

Better now?

Good answer, thanks. I think I´ve always used them that way, but had never consciously thought about it. Quite helpful. Thanks. - rogspax, Nov 6, 2013

Hola, chileno. Sorry, I don't get your point. Your answer is too brief for me to understand. I understand the "Yes" part, but the "No" part confuses me. Please explain more clearly. - joygogo, Nov 6, 2013

Rogs, you are welcome. joygogo read my edit... please. - chileno, Nov 6, 2013

Thanks, chileno! l got it. - joygogo, Nov 7, 2013

Good. - chileno, Nov 7, 2013

Answer 2

Discussing games only, the two can sometimes be interchangable but usually:

Juego is a recreational game.

Partido is a game/match involving various players and many times professional.

Thanks for your reply. So, if I play the video game alone, I use "juego"; if I play basketball with friends just for fun, I still use "juego"? But if my team plays basketball with another team for competition, I use "partido"? - joygogo, Nov 6, 2013

Yes, Joy; that´s right. Now you can understand why "partido" is also used for "political party" : - ) - 005faa61, Nov 6, 2013

Gracias! - joygogo, Nov 7, 2013