The Olympic Games vocabulary in Spanish is crucial for everyone who wants to discuss this global event in another language. The Olympics bring together athletes and spectators from all over the world to celebrate sport, competition, and unity.
Knowing the special vocabulary connected to the Olympic Games in Spanish will help you understand and enjoy the events, whether you’re watching them on TV, reading about them in publications, or discussing them with friends.
In this blog post, we’ll look at a range of terminology and phrases to assist you in discussing this wonderful event in Spanish.
Are you ready to start learning? Let’s go!
General Terms
These are key words and phrases that pertain to the overarching concept of the Olympic Games. They address the core aspects and entities that serve as the Olympics’ foundation.
English | Spanish |
The Olympic Games | Los Juegos Olímpicos |
International Olympic Committee (IOC) | El Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI) |
The Olympic torch | La antorcha olímpica |
The opening ceremony | La ceremonia de apertura |
The closing ceremony | La ceremonia de clausura |
The medal table | El medallero |
The Olympic Village | La villa olímpica |
Olympic sport | El deporte olímpico |
The mascot | La mascota |
The Olympic motto | El lema olímpico |
The Olympic flag | La bandera olímpica |
Types of Competitions
This category includes various sports and events that are part of the Olympic Games. Each sport has its own set of rules and unique appeal.
English | Spanish |
Athletics/Track and field | El atletismo |
Swimming | La natación |
Gymnastics | La gimnasia |
Basketball | El baloncesto |
Volleyball | El voleibol |
Cycling | El ciclismo |
Soccer/Football | El fútbol |
Boxing | El boxeo |
Judo | El judo |
Archery | El tiro con arco |
Rowing | El remo |
Triathlon | El triatlón |
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People Involved
This section lists key individuals and groups participating in the Olympics. These include athletes, coaches, referees, and other important figures.
English | Spanish |
The athlete | El atleta / La atleta |
The coach | El entrenador / La entrenadora |
The referee | El árbitro / La árbitra |
The judge | El juez / La jueza |
The team | El equipo |
The captain | El capitán / La capitana |
The competitor | El competidor / La competidora |
The winner | El ganador / La ganadora |
The medalist | El medallista |
The spectator | El espectador / La espectadora |
Venues and Locations
These terms describe the various places and facilities associated with the Olympic Games. Knowing these will help you understand where different events take place.
English | Spanish |
The stadium | El estadio |
The field | El campo |
The track | La pista |
The swimming pool | La piscina |
The velodrome | El velódromo |
The gymnasium | El gimnasio |
The sports hall | El pabellón |
The court | La cancha |
The aquatic center | El centro acuático |
Medals and Awards
This category covers the terms related to recognizing athletes’ achievements. Understanding these words will help you discuss the outcomes of the competitions.
English | Spanish |
The gold medal | La medalla de oro |
The silver medal | La medalla de plata |
The bronze medal | La medalla de bronce |
The podium | El podio |
The record | El récord |
The victory | La victoria |
The trophy | El trofeo |
The prize/award | El premio |
Actions and Verbs
Common actions and verbs related to the Olympics and sports in general. These verbs are essential for describing the activities and outcomes of the competitions.
English | Spanish |
To compete | Competir |
To win | Ganar |
To lose | Perder |
To tie/draw | Empatar |
To train | Entrenar |
To qualify | Clasificar |
To participate | Participar |
To score a goal | Marcar un gol |
To break a record | Romper un récord |
To celebrate | Celebrar |
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences using the vocabulary taught above to help you see these words in context:
- Los Juegos Olímpicos comienzan con la ceremonia de apertura. (The Olympic Games start with the opening ceremony.)
- El atleta ganó la medalla de oro en la natación. (The athlete won the gold medal in swimming.)
- El equipo de baloncesto se está preparando en el gimnasio. (The basketball team is training in the gymnasium.)
- El juez revisó el récord establecido por el competidor. (The judge reviewed the record set by the competitor.)
- La antorcha olímpica se encenderá en el estadio durante la ceremonia de apertura. (The Olympic torch will be lit in the stadium during the opening ceremony.)
- El entrenador ayuda a los atletas a entrenar todos los días. (The coach helps the athletes to train every day.)
- La nadadora rompió el récord mundial en la piscina. (The swimmer broke the world record in the pool.)
- El capitán del equipo de voleibol es muy motivador. (The captain of the volleyball team is very motivating.)
- El árbitro decidió que el gol era válido. (The referee decided that the goal was valid.)
- Los espectadores aplaudieron cuando el atleta subió al podio. (The spectators cheered when the athlete stepped onto the podium.)
Final Thoughts
Learning the vocabulary related to the Olympic Games in Spanish not only improves your understanding of the event, but also your ability to converse about sports and events in a new language.
By being acquainted with these terminology, you will be better equipped to discuss the Olympics with Spanish speakers, whether you are a die-hard fan or simply looking to broaden your linguistic horizons.
Enjoy the games and ¡que ganen los mejores! (may the best win!)
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