Basketball is the most commonly used word in Spain — see other common Spanish words for similar terms.
Basketball is widely used in Latin America — consult our Spanish World Cup vocabulary guide for regional sport terms.
Essential Basketball Vocabulary In Spanish
- cancha — court: cancha de baloncesto; pista is also used in Europe.
- aro — hoop: also called anilla in some regions.
- red — net: la red del aro.
- botar / regatear — dribble: botar is most common for bouncing the ball.
- tirar / lanzar — shoot: tirar a canasta.
- pasar — pass: pasar el balón.
- rebote — rebound: tomar un rebote.
- falta — foul: cometer una falta.
- pívot / centro — center: player position.
- base / armador — point guard: player position; regional names vary.
Primary Translations In Spanish And When To Use Each
The two main Spanish translations are baloncesto and básquetbol. Both mean the sport of basketball, though they come from different word-formation patterns. Shortened informal forms like basket appear in speech in several countries.
Meaning And Word Formation
Baloncesto is a native Spanish formation: balón (ball) + cesto (basket). It reads naturally for Spanish speakers and is widely used in media and official contexts in Spain. Básquetbol is a phonetic loanword adapted from English basketball; accents and exact spelling can vary by country. Remember both words refer to the sport, not only the physical hoop.
Basketball comes from ball and basket — for authoritative etymology see the Real Academia Española dictionary .
Basketball is a loanword from English — read more about Spanish loanwords on SpanishDict’s language notes .
When To Use Which Term
For teaching materials, formal writing, and broadcasting, choose baloncesto in Spain and básquetbol where Latin American style guides prefer it. If you’re unsure, baloncesto is broadly understood across the Spanish-speaking world. Use basket only in informal speech or when imitating a local colloquial style.
In general, basketball is the safe option.
Basketball can be preferred in many Latin American countries.
Regional Differences In Spanish: Spain, Mexico And Latin America
Usage shifts by region. Spain favors baloncesto in schools, federations and the press. In much of Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, básquetbol or basket is common. Argentina, Chile and Colombia often use básquetbol formally while speakers shorten it casually. Caribbean and U.S.-influenced areas may use the English basketball more frequently.
Spain
In Spain the normative and official term is baloncesto: leagues, school programs and the press use it consistently (for example, Liga ACB).
Basketball is used in the media and in schools in Spain.
Mexico And Central America
Mexico and many Central American countries use básquetbol in formal contexts; everyday talk may mix in basket or basketball depending on the speaker’s exposure to English.
In Mexico and Central America, basketball is heard often.
In colloquial speech, basket is also used.
South America And The Caribbean
Across South America usage varies: básquetbol is common in formal writing, while casual speech often shortens the word to básquet or basket. Caribbean islands and bilingual communities may prefer basketball.
In some South American countries they say basketball, and on the street it’s shortened to basquet or basket.
Spelling In Spanish: How To Spell ‘Basketball’ Correctly
If you wonder how to spell basketball in spanish, remember the two standard spellings: baloncesto and básquetbol. Baloncesto has no accent and follows Spanish morphology; básquetbol carries an accent in many style guides because of stress placement. Avoid mixing English letters into the Spanish forms.
Common Errors And How To Avoid Them
Frequent mistakes include writing basketbol or basquetbol without the accent, or anglicizing baloncesto as basket+something. Mnemonics: baloncesto contains balón and cesto, so the letters reflect Spanish roots. For básquetbol, the accent often shows the original stress pattern adapted to Spanish.
Basketball is written without an accent.
Basketball is usually written with an accent on the first ‘a’.
In formal texts it is better to avoid anglicisms.
How To Pronounce It In Spanish: Phonetics And Regional Pronunciation Tips
Pronunciation varies slightly by region. The stress patterns are regular in Spanish, and consonant sounds reflect local s/c pronunciation differences. Below are phonetic guides and practice lines you can say aloud.
Phonetic Transcriptions And Stress
- baloncesto: /ba-lon-‘ces-to/ — syllable breakdown ba-lon-CES-to; in Spain the c before e sounds like th (bah-lon-THES-to), while in Latin America it sounds like s (bah-lon-SEHS-to).
- básquetbol: /‘bas-ket-bol/ — stress on the first syllable BAS-ket-bol; Spanish phonology adapts the consonant cluster.
- basket (short): /‘bas-ket/ — often closer to the English pronunciation but with Spanish vowel quality.
The stressed syllable of ‘baloncesto’ is ‘ces’.
The stressed syllable of ‘básquetbol’ is ‘bás’.
Practice Sentences To Say Aloud
Read these aloud to practice stress and vowel quality. Try them slowly, then at natural speed. For feedback on pronunciation and stress, try a speaking partner like Kippy to get targeted tips and roleplay corrections.
I play basketball every Saturday.
I like playing basketball with my friends.
Did you watch the game last night?
The team won by twenty points.
He shot from the corner and made a three.
The referee called a foul.
Gender And Articles In Spanish: ‘El Baloncesto’ And Using ‘Al’ With Jugar
Basketball is masculine in Spanish: use el baloncesto or el básquetbol. The verb jugar takes the preposition a when referring to a sport, so jugar a + el contracts to jugar al. Other verbs like practicar or ver do not require that contraction.
Examples Of Article And Verb Use
Use the masculine article and the contraction al correctly in speech and writing. Short examples below show natural usage.
I play basketball every Saturday.
I like basketball.
Everyday Phrases And Collocations In Spanish
Learn the verbs and nouns that commonly go with baloncesto so you can speak naturally. Common actions include jugar, practicar, entrenar and ver un partido. Key nouns are equipo, jugador/a, partido and entrenador. Fans use short exclamations like ¡Qué tiro! and conversational phrases to discuss plays and scores.
Key Collocations With Examples
Below are useful collocations and short example sentences. These are great for roleplay and short interviews; practicing them with a speaking partner like Kippy helps you rehearse tone and timing.
I train with the team every morning.
The coach prepares the strategy for the match.
She is a starting player on the team.
They won the match in the final seconds.
Essential Basketball Vocabulary In Spanish
- cancha — court: cancha de baloncesto; pista is also used in Europe.
- aro — hoop: also called anilla in some regions.
- red — net: la red del aro.
- botar / regatear — dribble: botar is most common for bouncing the ball.
- tirar / lanzar — shoot: tirar a canasta.
- pasar — pass: pasar el balón.
- rebote — rebound: tomar un rebote.
- falta — foul: cometer una falta.
- pívot / centro — center: player position.
- base / armador — point guard: player position; regional names vary.
Short Example Sentences And A Two-Line Dialogue In Spanish
Use these short sentences to build fluency. Repeat them aloud and try the dialogue with a partner or with Kippy for conversational practice.
Example Sentences
I’ve been playing basketball since I was ten.
Yesterday I practiced on the school court.
Do you want to go see the game with me?
We watched the game on TV.
The home team won in overtime.
My brother makes a lot of three-pointers.
We need to improve the defense.
The referee called a clear foul.
The basketball final will be on Sunday.
I train to be the team’s point guard.
Two-Line Dialogue
Use this quick exchange for roleplay or warm-up practice; try it aloud with Kippy to get pronunciation and rhythm feedback.
Shall we play basketball tomorrow afternoon?
Yes, see you at five on the park court.
Writing Tips And Register In Spanish
Choose your term to match register and audience. Formal writing and academic work should avoid anglicisms. Headlines favor short, clear words but still match regional norms. Casual conversations can use shortened forms freely.
Advice For Different Registers
- Academic essays and reports: use baloncesto (Spain) or básquetbol (Latin American guides).
- News headlines: baloncesto in Spain; básquetbol in many Latin American outlets.
- Informal chat or social media: basket and basquet are acceptable among friends.
In academic papers, basketball is preferred — if you want apps to practice academic register, see our roundup of the best apps to learn Spanish .
In headlines, baloncesto is used in Spain and básquetbol in Latin America.
In informal conversations, basket is used.
Practice: Quick Exercises To Check Spelling And Usage
Try these short prompts to test spelling, articles and collocations. Say your answers aloud and check them below. For spoken practice and instant pronunciation feedback, read your answers to a partner or to Kippy.
Exercises And Answers
-
Fill the blank: Yo ____ al baloncesto los domingos.
Answer: juego
Yo juego al baloncesto los domingos.
I play basketball on Sundays. -
Spell the sport correctly: __________
Answer: baloncesto
Se escribe baloncesto.
Baloncesto is spelled. -
Choose the contraction: Juego a + el baloncesto → __________
Answer: Juego al baloncesto
Juego al baloncesto.
I play basketball. -
Accent check: Does básquetbol carry an accent?
Answer: Sí, en la primera a (básquetbol)
Básquetbol lleva acento en la primera a.
Basketball has an accent on the first ‘a’.
Summary: Pick The Right Word And Use It Naturally
Default to baloncesto for Spain and formal contexts; use básquetbol or basket where local usage prefers them. Remember it is masculine (el baloncesto) and the verb construction jugar a + el → jugar al.
Final Tip
Choose baloncesto as your default, adjust for region, and practice key phrases aloud. Next step: rehearse the short dialogue and example sentences with a speaking partner like Kippy to improve pronunciation and conversational confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mexicans say basketball?
In Mexico people commonly use “básquetbol” or the shortened “básquet,” and “baloncesto” is also understood; regional usage varies. For pronunciation practice, try speaking with Kippy, an AI tutor that evaluates pronunciation and offers roleplay.
Is it baloncesto vs básquetbol?
“Baloncesto” and “básquetbol” are both correct Spanish terms: “baloncesto” is the traditional Spanish word, while “básquetbol” (often shortened to “básquet”) is a loanword from English. For spoken differences and accent guidance, Kippy can help you practice and evaluate pronunciation.
What do they call basketball in Spain?
In Spain the standard term is “baloncesto.” Some people may also understand “básquet” but “baloncesto” is the common, formal usage.
What is a Capitulo in Spanish?
“Capítulo” (accent on the first “i”) means “chapter” in Spanish and can refer to book chapters or TV/series episodes.
How do you say "play basketball" in Spanish?
“Play basketball” is commonly translated as “jugar al baloncesto” or “jugar al básquetbol.” Use “jugar” + “al” + chosen noun depending on the regional term.
