In this article we will discover the Spanish football language. Why? Becouse football is one of the favorite pastimes of Spaniards and, therefore, it is very useful to have knowledge about this subject.
The very high level demonstrated by the Spanish teams in the Spanish League and their players in the Spanish national team makes football a source of pride for all Spaniards. At the same time, it contributes to making Spain well known on all 5 continents.
People involved in the game:
- Simpatizantes, forofos, seguidores, aficionados, hinchas, fanáticos
All these words refer to people who have a special fascination with sport.
The term “hinchas” is more specific and refers to passionate fans who gather to encourage their team during matches.
The “ultras” have violent behavior.
“Aficionados”: People who enjoy a certain sport or practice it on a non-professional level.
- Jugadores o futbolistas
They are the protagonists of the game of each team and each of them has a characteristic position and function.
Defensas: Responsible for blocking their opponents when they approach the door
Centrocampistas: Develop their game on the field
Atacantes, goleadores o delanteros who are the ones who score the goals
Portero o guardameta: Protects the door by stopping the launches.
- Capitán
It’s the person who runs the team. He is chosen from among the players and is usually the most charismatic
- Arbitro
It’s the impartial person who enforces the rules in competitions
- Entrenador
Person in charge of directing the training, controlling and establishing the tactics of the team. The word “mister” is also used to refer to the coach. In fact, Spanish language has adopted many anglicisms, that is, terms imported from English to talk about football.
In relation to football matches:
- Campeonato, competición: series of matches in the same category with the aim of winning a win or prize. This is the case of the Liga Española in which it competes during the year between the first division teams, such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid. Another famous but European competition is the Champions League (Champions). On the other hand, there are also friendly parties.
- Clásico: football match that always generates great expectations, as is the case with Barça against Real Madrid.
Action verbs: In relation to the type of activity during the game:
- Atacar: action to get to the opposite field and create danger situations against the opposing team. In response to this, you can contraatacar.
- Golpear, chutar, disparar, tirar, dar una patada: actions of throwing the ball with the foot. Disparar and chutar are more colloquial terms and indicate a certain intensity of the launch.
- Pasar: direct the ball to another player on the same team.
