jogada

Jogada is a Portuguese noun that denotes an act performed during playing or competition. Broadly, it refers to a move or play by a participant in games and sports, such as a chess move or an attacking play in football. More generally, a jogada can describe any deliberate action meant to achieve an objective within a contest.

Origin: from jogar, to play, with the suffix -ada forming a noun that indicates an action or result. The term is common in Brazilian Portuguese and widely understood in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking communities.

In card games, jogada often refers to a single trick or the act of playing a card; depending on the game, the term may denote the sequence of plays that determines the trick's winner. In trick-taking games such as bridge or truco, players compete to win each jogada. It can also mean a clever or deceptive maneuver, as in "uma jogada de mestre" (a masterstroke) or "uma jogada política" (a political maneuver).

In everyday usage, jogada can describe bold or cunning moves, emphasizing timing and strategy. The word carries neutral connotations but can express admiration for skill when used positively, or criticism when a move is deemed unfair. Synonyms in English contexts include move, play, maneuver, or feint, depending on the domain.