Spanish Conversation · Level 105
60 words
Spanish word
baloncesto
Pronunciation
IPA/balonˈθesto/
Meaning
- masculine nounbasketball
Example
¿Quieres jugar al baloncesto esta tarde?
Do you want to play basketball this afternoon?
More examples
Anoche vi un partido de baloncesto.
Last night I saw a basketball game.
Core concept
Two five-player teams scoring by throwing a ball through a raised basket.
Common phrases
jugar al baloncesto
play basketball
partido de baloncesto
basketball game
equipo de baloncesto
basketball team
Similar words
basket: Short, casual spoken label for the five-on-five hoop-and-ball game.
básquet: Common Latin American spoken name for the five-on-five hoop-and-ball sport.
básquetbol: Alternative Spanish form used in speech and writing for the five-on-five basketball game.
Definition in Spanish
Deporte jugado por dos equipos, normalmente de cinco jugadores por equipo en pista reglamentaria, cuyo objetivo es anotar lanzando el balón a la canasta.
Word origin
The word comes from Spanish balón 'ball' + cesto 'basket', a compound formed to name the sport of putting a ball into a basket.
Usage tips
- The common phrase is jugar al baloncesto (jugar a + el), and in casual speech many speakers shorten the name to básquet or básket.
Related words
- baloncestistabasketball playernoun
- baloncestísticobasketball-relatedadjective