vs 

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"Jugar al ajedrez" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to play chess", and "practicar un deporte" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to play a sport". Learn more about the difference between "jugar al ajedrez" and "practicar un deporte" below.
jugar al ajedrez(
hoo
-
gahr
 
ahl
 
ah
-
heh
-
drehs
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to play chess
María es muy inteligente, lee mucho y es muy buena jugando al ajedrez.Maria is very intelligent. She reads a lot and she's very good at playing chess.
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practicar un deporte(
prahk
-
tee
-
kahr
 
oon
 
deh
-
pohr
-
teh
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to play a sport
¿Por qué no practicas un deporte en lugar de ir al gimnasio?Why don't you play a sport instead of going to the gym?
b. to practice a sport
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Quiero practicar un deporte que no requiera de mucho equipamiento.I want to practice a sport that doesn't need much equipment.
c. to practise a sport
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
"¿Practicas un deporte regularmente?" me preguntó el médico."Do you practise a sport regularly?" asked me the doctor.
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