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"Play" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "jugar", and "touch" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "tocar". Learn more about the difference between "play" and "touch" below.
play(
pley
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (sports)
a. jugar
They won't be able to play tonight because of the rain.No podrán jugar esta noche por la lluvia.
4. (to sound)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (games)
b. jugar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Playing chess requires great powers of concentration.Jugar ajedrez requiere una gran capacidad de concentración.
7. (sports)
b. jugar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I loved playing tennis when I was young.Me encantaba jugar tenis de joven.
8. (to compete)
a. jugar contra
This is the first time they have played a professional team in a professional league.Es la primera vez que juegan contra un equipo profesional en una liga profesional.
b. interpretar
The orchestra played Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor.La orquesta interpretó la novena sinfonía de Beethoven en re menor.
a. interpretar
He plays Hamlet in the new production of the play.Interpreta a Hamlet en la nueva producción de la obra.
b. desempeñar
The king played an important role in the Spanish transition to democracy.El rey desempeñó un papel importante en la transición española hacia la democracia.
11. (to joke)
a. gastar
For some reason, he enjoys playing practical jokes on people.Por alguna razón le gusta gastar bromas pesadas a la gente.
12. (to direct)
a. dirigir
He played the flashlight over the cover of the book.Dirigió la luz de la linterna hacia la cubierta del libro.
13. (to listen to)
a. poner
My neighbor plays the same song over and over again.Mi vecina pone la misma canción una y otra vez.
a. actuar en
The Rolling Stones played Glastonbury for the first time in 2013.Los Rolling Stones actuaron en Glastonbury por primera vez en 2013.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
16. (recreation)
17. (sports)
b. la jugada (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Thanks to an inspired play from my teammate, we won the match.Gracias a una jugada inspirada de mi compañero de equipo, ganamos el partido.
18. (theater)
b. la obra de teatro (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The acclaimed actor has starred in many plays on Broadway.El actor aclamado ha protagonizado muchas obras de teatro en Broadway.
a. el juego (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We watched the play of light and shadow on the water's surface.Observamos el juego de luces y sombras en la superficie del agua.
b. la interacción (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It is the play among different economic actors that determines market prices.Es la interacción entre distintos actores económicos lo que determina los precios del mercado.
a. el juego (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
What's wrong with your bike? - There’s too much play in the rear wheel.¿Qué tiene tu bicicleta? - La rueda de atrás tiene demasiado juego.
b. la holgura (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The window rattles when the wind blows because there's too much play in the guides.La ventana se sacude con el viento porque hay demasiada holgura en las guías.
touch(
tuhch
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. tocar
There is a mark where the chair touches the wall.Hay una marca donde la silla toca la pared.
3. (to harm)
a. tocar
The police asked us not to touch anything in the room.La policía nos pidió que no tocáramos nada en la habitación.
6. (to concern)
8. (to reach)
10. (to ask for)
a. dar un sablazo de
This month he has touched me for £20 twice already.Este mes ya me ha dado dos sablazos de £20.
11. (to address)
a. tocar
Politics are something you’re better off not touching unless someone brings it up.La política es un tema que es mejor no tocar a menos que alguien lo saque a colación.
a. tener efecto
These pills didn't even touch my headache. I need something stronger.Estas píldoras no tuvieron efecto en mi dolor de cabeza. Necesito algo más potente.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
15. (sense)
17. (gesture)
b. el detalle (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Sending flowers was a nice touch.Enviar flores fue un detalle bonito.
18. (skill)
19. (small amount)
20. (communication)
a. el contacto (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
They kept in touch for years.Mantuvieron el contacto durante años.
21. (awareness)
a. el sentido (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She has lost touch with reality.Ha perdido el sentido de la realidad.
22. (sports)
a. el fuera de juego (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
He kicked the ball into touch.Le dio una patada a la pelota y la envió fuera de juego.
